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IELTS Support

This guide offers support for preparing for the IELTS exam.

Grammarly

Email Ettiquette

 

THE BASIC RULES

  • Don't use an unprofessional email address
  • Start with a new e-mail
  • Include an appropriate subject heading
  • Write a salutation
  • Write well!  
  • Provide context and background information
  • Write a clear and concise message
  • Sign your name
  • Proofread the e-mail
  • Allow adequate time for a reply

Writing

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How long is the Writing paper?

There are two separate writing tests, one for Academic candidates and one for General Training candidates. For all candidates, the writing paper consists of two tasks and lasts one hour. Writing Task 2 carries more marks than Writing Task 1.

What will I need to write about?

There are two separate writing tests, one for Academic candidates and one for General Training candidates. Before enrolling, you need to decide which test is best for you. See the official IELTS website for advice.

Task Timing What do I have to do?

Academic Writing

1 20 minutes

Accurately describe and summarise visual information (e.g. a diagram, chart, graph or table).

2

40 minutes

Write a discursive essay. You may be asked to:

  • provide a solution
  • evaluate a problem
  • compare and contrast different ideas or opinions
  • challenge an argument or idea
General Training Writing 1 20 minutes

Respond to a given situation (e.g. by writing a letter).

You may be asked to request information or explain a situation.

2 40 minutes

Write a discursive essay. You may be asked to:

  • provide a solution
  • evaluate a problem
  • compare and contrast different ideas or opinions
  • challenge an argument or idea
How is the Writing paper assessed?

A mark will be awarded based on the following criteria.

Task Criteria What do these criteria mean?

Writing Task 1

 

Task Achievement

Did you answer the question fully and write 150 words?

Writing Task 2 Task Response

Did your answer address all of the points in the question?

Did you provide a balanced argument ad support your ideas with evidences and examples?

Were all of your ideas relevant to the question?

Did you write 250 words?

Both tasks Coherence and Cohesion

Is your writing easy to understand?

Are you ideas well organised and clearly linked?

Lexical Resource Did you use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and effectively?
Grammatical Range Did you use a wide range of grammatical structures accurately and effectively?

[The above information is taken from The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Student's Books by Jakeman, V., Cullen, P. and French, A.]

Key Resources

IELTS with Ryan

Videos outlining what you must do to achieve your maximum score on the written portion of the IELTS exam. You can access all of Ryan's videos on his YouTube channel HERE.

More sample IELTS Task 1 and Task 2 responses can be found on Ryan's IELTS Blog.

Useful Videos

Task 1

How to succeed in Task 1 of the IELTS Academic writing section. 

Task 2

Watch this video for simple tips to help improve your score in task 2.

Additional Resource

Related Guide

Online Graphic Dictionary

Proofreading Tool

Australian Cultural Dictionary

Recommended Apps

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