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IELTS Writing

IELTS writing test

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a standardized exam designed to evaluate how proficient a non-native candidate is in the English language. It tests 4 communicative skills, namely: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

The IELTS writing test​ comprises two tasks — Task 1 and Task 2. The tasks must be completed within 60 minutes. In Task 1, you’ll have to summarize or describe visual information that will come in the form of charts or graphs for Academic IELTS, or compose a letter for General Training IELTS. You will have to write at least 150 words within 20 minutes. Your scoring will entirely depend on your clarity, organization, grammar, and vocabulary.

In Task 2, you will have to write a 250-word essay on a social, technological, or educational topic in 40 minutes. Your score will depend on how well-defined your answer is, your language use, and your response structure. Make sure you have enough practice for efficient time management and tackling the different types of questions against which you can clearly and comprehensively support your ideas.

Task 2 contributes twice as much to the overall writing score as Task 1. You will be scored on a band of 1 to 9.

Let’s take a detailed look at what the IELTS writing test​ entails.

Overview of IELTS Writing

Here’s a clear breakdown of the IELTS writing test, helping candidates understand expectations and prepare accordingly for each task.

Aspect Task 1 – Academic Task 1 – General Training Task 2 (Both Academic & General Training)
Purpose Summarize, describe, or explain visual information (e.g., charts, graphs, tables, maps, processes) Write a letter responding to a given situation Write a formal essay expressing and supporting opinions, discussing problems and solutions, or presenting an argument.
Word Count Minimum 150 words Minimum 150 words Minimum 250 words
Time Allotment Recommended 20 minutes Recommended 20 minutes Recommended 40 minutes
Skills Assessed – Summarizing information

– Describing trends

– Selecting key features

– Clarity and coherence

– Formal/informal tone

– Purpose clarity

– Organization and structure

– Task response

– Argument structure

– Coherence and cohesion

– Task relevance

– Support with examples and reasoning

Scoring Criteria – Task Achievement

– Coherence and Cohesion

– Lexical Resource

– Grammatical Range and Accuracy

– Task Achievement

– Coherence and Cohesion

– Lexical Resource

– Grammatical Range and Accuracy

– Task Response

– Coherence and Cohesion

– Lexical Resource

– Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Common Topics Graphs (line, bar, pie), tables, maps, processes Formal, semi-formal, or informal letters (e.g., request, complaint, information) Social, educational, or technological issues; advantages/disadvantages; problem-solving; opinion-based topics

 

Different Sections of IELTS Writing

The IELTS writing test evaluates every candidate’s ability to form coherent ideas, present facts, and develop arguments in English. There are two distinct formats for both Academic and General Training exams. Here’s a breakdown of all you can expect from these sections:

Purpose Tasks Time Details Tips
Academic IELTS writing test For those who want to pursue higher education or pursuit of employment abroad Task 1 20 minutes Summarize visual information (graphs, charts, tables, etc.) ·         Agree or disagree or put forward an argument

·         Discuss two opposing views

·         Illustrate the advantages or disadvantages of a topic

·         Explain a given problem

·         Explain the cause of a problem and offer a solution

Task 2 40 minutes Compose a letter responding to any given situation (formal, informal, or semi-formal)
General Training IELTS writing test For those moving abroad for training, work, or migration Task 1 20 minutes Write a letter to request information or explain the situation. ·         Express needs, complaints

·         Cite your opinions

·         Describe a point of view, argument, or problem that you need to discuss.

Task 2 40 minutes Essay on any topic of general interest

 

IELTS Academic Writing

The Academic IELTS writing test aims to assess the ability to present ideas and facts accurately and coherently.

Task Description Word Count Time  Skills Tested
IELTS Writing Task 1 Describe and interpret data presented in visual form (e.g., graphs, charts, tables, etc.) 150 words 20 minutes ·         Ability to interpret summarize, and compare data accurately and coherently.

·         Clarity and logical flow.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Write an argumentative essay on any given topic, present ideas, and support an opinion 250 words 40 minutes ·         Ability to structure arguments, present ideas logically, and support points with relevant examples.

·         Vocabulary and grammatical accuracy.

·         Coherence and cohesion.

 

Overall duration: 60 minutes (1 hour) in total

Marking criteria:

  1. Task Achievement/Task Response: This criterion assesses how well you tackle every part of the prompt. Make sure that your answers are clear and have the relevant details and examples to score higher.
  2. Coherence and Cohesion: This criterion measures how organized and logical your flow of ideas is. Make sure your paragraphs are clear and use linking words for seamless transitions between them.
  3. Lexical Resource: This criterion assesses your vocabulary use along with your range, accuracy, and contextually appropriate word choice. Avoid repetition and errors here.
  4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This criterion evaluates the variety and accuracy of your sentence structures. Keep a balance between using simple and complex sentences and using correct punctuation for a higher score.

Academic IELTS Writing Task 1

In the first writing task of the Academic IELTS writing test, candidates are provided with a visual representation that they will need to summarize and explain in their own words. These visuals in the Academic IELTS writing task 1 ​can come in the following forms and you will need to explain the key trends or stages pertaining to them briefly.

  1. Bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, tables
  2. Processes (e.g., stages in soil treatment)
  3. Maps (compared locations or changes over time)

You will need to focus on these aspects in the Academic IELTS writing task 1:

  1. Describing major trends: Highlight the changes or key patterns, and talk assertively about the overall trends articulately rather than detailing every data point. For example, you can summarize the increases, decreases, or standpoints over time.
  2. Staying objective: Make sure you stay on topic and stick to a factual, impersonal tone. Avoid adding personal opinions in the form of phrases like like “I think” “It seems to me that,” “This is surprising,” and the like. Just simply interpret the data.
  3. Making comparisons: Use comparative language (e.g., “lower than,” “triple,” “significantly higher”) to showcase correlations and differences between data points. This will help you convey the essential insights compactly.

IELTS Writing Task 2

In Task 2 of the Academic IELTS writing test, you will need to write a full-blown 250-word essay on a specific issue. It can be social, environmental, tech-related, or educational topics. The main purpose of the Academic IELTS writing task 2 is to see how well you can present and develop an argument, and how wide your range of vocabulary is in writing. The various essay types and how to approach them with ease:

  1. Argumentative (Agree/Disagree): Take a clear stand on a statement and support it with factual proof. Start the essay with an introduction to your stance, followed by paragraphs that present your arguments and real-world examples. Conclude with a brief summary of your argument.
  2. Discussion (Both Sides): Make sure that you examine both viewpoints before writing about your opinion. Start with the topical introduction and then, go on to discuss every side separately in different paragraphs. Summarize your opinion based on the discussion at the end.
  3. Solution-Oriented (Problems and Solutions): Start by identifying a problem first and then go on to recommend solutions. As usual, begin with an introductory paragraph about the issue, and then explain the causes and practical solutions in the body paragraphs clearly. Summarize the solutions and their potential impact in the end.
  4. Advantage/Disadvantage: Write about both the advantages and disadvantages of an issue. Start the topic with an introductory body and then discuss the pros and cons separately in the body paragraphs. Conclude your findings briefly.

IELTS General Writing

The General IELTS writing test comprises two tasks designed to assess how good your writing skills are in practical contexts. You’ll be given two tasks in that will involve writing a letter and an essay. Here are the details presented in tabular format for ease of understanding:

Aspect Details Word Count Time Skills Tested
IELTS Writing Task 1 Write a letter about a given situation Minimum 150 words 20 mins ·         Addressing all parts of the prompt

·         Coherence and Cohesion (logical flow of ideas)

·         Capability to communicate clearly and appropriately.

IELTS WritingTask 2 Write an essay on a particular topic Minimum 250 words 40 mins ·         Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.

·         Organization and coherence

·         Use of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures.

 

General IELTS Writing Task 1

In the first General IELTS writing test, you will need to write a letter about a given situation. The purpose of the General IELTS writing task 2 is to test your ability to clearly and cohesively communicate in written English. You may have to work on the following expected formats. Make sure you’re prepared to respond to any of the types below:

  • Formal letter: You’ll have to write to a company, organization, or an authority figure. For instance, you can write a formally addressed letter to lodge a complaint or request information about a job role.

Sample: “I am reaching out to inquire about the job opening of the software engineer position listed on the company’s LinkedIn profile.”

  • Semi-formal letter: You’ll be tasked with writing to a professional acquaintance, such as requesting a favor from a colleague.

Sample: “I writing to ask if you might be able to cover my night shift on Tuesday as I have a very important doctor’s appointment at 7:00 PM that conflicts with my work hours on that day.”

  • Informal letter: You’ll be tasked with writing to family or close friends. You may be asked to invite a friend to drop in for Christmas or congratulate them on their recent addition to the family.

Sample: “I’m so happy to hear about your new baby! This is amazing news and we should celebrate soon.”

General IELTS Writing Task 2

The second task of the General IELTS writing test requires you to write a 250-word essay on any general topic. It could be related to a social, educational, or environmental issue. The main aim of the General section of the IELTS writing task 2 is to evaluate how good your language skills are when it comes to presenting logical ideas and argumentative points of view clearly.

IELTS Writing Test Tips 2024

Here are some essential IELTS writing test tips for 2024:

  1. Use an easy-to-read structure: Maintain a logical flow. You can do so by adding clear and seamless paragraph breaks. Make sure that each paragraph focuses on one main idea. This is important to remember in IELTS writing task 2.
  2. Answer directly and maintain relevance: Avoid unnecessary details and going off-topic. Strictly stick to your ideas and focus on answering the prompt.
  3. Use linking words for seamlessness: Using linking words like “however,” “in addition,” “therefore” etc. enables a smooth transition of ideas. This improves readability and can garner a higher score on your IELTS writing test.
  4. Use examples to support your ideas: Back up your arguments and ideas with examples wherever possible. Adding valid points of reason can make arguments more convincing, especially in  IELTS writing task 2.
  5. Manage time effectively: DO not spend more than 20 minutes on IELTS writing task 1. Allocate more time to IELTS writing task 2 as it carries more weight.
  6. Avoid informal tone: In  IELTS writing task 1, make sure you the formality of your tone in the letter adheres to the prompt. In IELTS writing task 2, use formal language no matter what the topic is.
  7. Always proofread: Make sure you have enough time towards the end of the IELTS writing test for spelling checks and grammar, and punctuation reviews.
  8. Practice with previous prompts: Practising with common IELTS prompts is a good way to familiarise yourself with the style of the IELTS writing test. This will boost your confidence during the real exam.

How to Calculate IELTS Writing Test Band Score?

Your IELTS writing test will be scored based on the following criteria:

Criterion Purpose Tips Score Division
Task response Assesses how efficiently you cover every aspect of the prompt given to you. ·         Address the question topic directly.

·         Don’t digress.

·         Cover all parts (such as discussing both sides in any discussion prompt).

·         Back up your points with valid examples and explanations.

25%
Coherence and cohesion Evaluates how logical and structured your ideas and arguments are. ·         Your essay should be easy to follow, have well-structured paragraphs, and seamless transitions between ideas.

·         Use linking words like “so” and “however” as they enhance coherence while dividing each point into paragraphs.

25%
Lexical resource Assess how wide your vocabulary range is and how precisely you use it. ·         Use topic-related words accurately.

·         Explore less used or advanced vocabulary to prove that you have a strong lexical resource.

·         Avoid repeating words.

·         Ensure that the words you select fit the context effectively. This will garner a high score on your IELTS writing test.

25%
Grammatical range and accuracy Assesses the correctness of your sentence structures. ·         Use a balanced mix of simple, and complex sentences.

·         Make sure that your grammar, punctuation, and syntax are all accurate.

·         While minor errors won’t necessarily incur a lower score, make sure they don’t affect understanding.

25%

 

IELTS Writing Test Band Score

In IELTS Writing Task 1, examiners assess responses using four key marking criteria. These criteria determine the band score, which ranges from 0 to 9. Each criterion holds equal weight in the final score, and understanding these elements can help candidates better prepare.

Here’s an overview of the criteria and how performance varies across scores of 5, 6, 7, and 8:

  • Task Achievement

Band Score What the Score Indicates
5 ·         Partial understanding of the task.

·         Presence of inaccuracies in summarizing data, missing comparisons, and insufficient detail.

6 ·         Generally clear understanding with relevant information.

·         Lacks in-depth insight or accurate detail for some parts.

7 ·         Strong understanding, with mostly accurate and relevant data.

·         Good comparisons, and only minor inaccuracies.

8 ·         Complete, insightful summary with well-developed comparisons, trends, and key features presented clearly and accurately.

 

  • Coherence and Cohesion

Band Score What the Score Indicates
5 ·         Basic organization with limited use of cohesive devices.

·         Paragraphing might be inconsistent, leading to a lack of clarity.

6 ·         Attempts at logical organization but may have errors in cohesion.

·         Overuse of certain linking words.

·         Paragraphing is generally correct but could be improved.

7 ·         Well-organized and logical.

·         Cohesive devices are used effectively, though there might be occasional repetition.

·         Paragraphing is clear and logical.

8 ·         Clear, seamless flow with a variety of cohesive devices used naturally.

·         Paragraphs are logically structured, enhancing readability and coherence.

 

  • Lexical Resource

Band Score What the Score Indicates
5 ·         Limited vocabulary with frequent errors in word choice and spelling.

·         Vocabulary may be repetitive or too basic for the task.

6 ·         Sufficient range of vocabulary but may lack precision.

·         Errors in word choice and spelling may be present, but they don’t prevent understanding.

7 ·         Good range of vocabulary with only occasional errors.

·         Attempts to use more complex language, which is generally accurate.

8 ·         Wide vocabulary range, with natural and accurate use of complex language.

·         Rare errors in word choice or spelling.

 

  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Band Score What the Score Indicates
5 ·         Limited range of sentence structures, with frequent errors that might affect clarity.

·         Basic grammar may be accurate, but complex sentences lack accuracy.

6 ·         Some variety in sentence structure with frequent but non-impeding errors.

·         Basic grammar is mostly correct, but mistakes in complex sentences persist.

7 ·         Good control of grammar with complex structures used accurately.

·         Some minor errors may occur but do not affect meaning.

8 ·         Wide variety of structures with rare errors.

·         Complex structures are used accurately, and sentences are well-punctuated and clear.

 

Examiners award scores on the IELTS writing test by analyzing performance in these four areas. To improve a score, candidates should focus on each criterion individually, strengthening areas where they may be weaker.

Calculating the band score

IELTS Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Task 2
Task Achievement: 10 Task Achievement: 10
Coherence and Cohesion: 18 Coherence and Cohesion: 10
Lexical Resource: 10 Lexical Resource: 12
Grammar: 12 Grammar: 8
55 35

Score 7+ on IELTS
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FAQ's

What are the best resources for IELTS Writing?

Some of the best resources that aid in the IELTS writing test are IELTS.org, the British Council, and Cambridge English websites. They offer a wide range of official study materials.

How to manage time effectively for the IELTS writing test?

Only spend 20 minutes covering Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. Spend 3 to 5 minutes for planning, and always leave 2-3 minutes for proofreading. You can easily master time management with consistent practice.

How important are spelling and grammar for the IELTS writing test?

Spelling and grammar are extremely important as they make up half of your score in Grammatical Range Accuracy and Lexical Resources. Small errors can lead to the incurring of lower scores.

How can I practice for the IELTS writing test?

Practice with actual prompts from reliable resources. Cambridge IELTS books and British Council sample tests are good ones to start with. Practice writing regularly and set a timer while doing so.

How to structure my essay for Task 2?

Begin with an introduction stating your stance or the main idea. Then proceed with the body paragraphs covering supporting points and examples. Summarise your points at the end. Make sure that you allocate every paragraph for one main idea to increase readability.

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