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Writing

Writing Pattern

In the IELTS exam, the Writing component consists of two distinct tasks tailored to assess different skills. There are two versions of the IELTS writing test: Academic and General Training. While Task 2 remains consistent across both versions, Task 1 varies in nature

IELTS Writing Test Overview

Duration: 60 minutes

Number of Tasks: 2

Types: Academic & General Training

Task Breakdown

Task 1: Summarize a visual representation or process in the Academic test; compose a letter with a specific purpose in the General Training test.

  •  Academic: Describe the information presented in a graph, chart, or
    diagram within a word count of at least 150 words.
  • General Training: Write a letter for a defined purpose within a word
    count of at least 150 words.
  • Duration: 20 minutes for both Academic and General Training.

Task 2: Compose a complete essay expressing your opinion on a given topic or addressing a particular issue.

  • Word Count Requirement: At least 250 words.
  • Duration: 40 minutes for both Academic and General Training.

Writing Academic vs General.

The IELTS Writing test is designed with two distinct versions: Academic and General Training, each serving different purposes. The Academic version caters to individuals aiming for higher education or professional endeavors, while the General Training version addresses more commonplace situations and immigration-related needs.

Comparison of IELTS General Writing and IELTS Academic Writing:

Aspect IELTS General Writing IELTS Academic Writing
Purpose General situations, immigration, everyday contexts Academic purposes, higher education, professional use
Task 1 Letter writing (e.g., to a friend, complaint letter) Graph, chart, or diagram description, summarizing data
Task 2 Essay writing, often personal experiences or opinions Essay writing, focusing on academic topics,
argumentative
Topics Everyday life, personal experiences, general issues Academic subjects, research, analysis,
argumentation
Writing Style Semi-formal, conversational Formal, academic
Test Duration 60 minutes 60 minutes
Word Count
(Task 1)		 At least 150 words At least 150 words
Word Count
(Task 2)		 At least 250 words At least 250 words
Example Task 1 Writing a letter to a friend inviting them
to an event		 Describing a bar chart showing smartphone usage
across age groups
Example Task 2 Expressing views on the advantages of
online learning		 Discussing climate change impacts on agriculture
using provided data

Writing Band Scoring Criteria

The IELTS Writing test is assessed based on four key criteria, each contributing to the
overall band score. Here are the scoring criteria along with their descriptions:

1. Task Achievement (for Task 1) / Task Response (for Task 2):

• Description: This criterion evaluates how well you address the task
requirements and whether you fully develop and support your ideas.
• Key Points:
• Task 1 (Academic): Presenting an overview and detailed
information accurately, covering all key features.
• Task 1 (General Training): Fulfilling the purpose of the letter and
addressing all bullet points.
• Task 2: Fully addressing the essay prompt, presenting a clear
position or argument, and providing relevant examples and
explanations.

2. Coherence and Cohesion:

• Description: This criterion assesses the organization and logical
progression of ideas within your response.
• Key Points:
• Logical progression of ideas with clear paragraphing.
• Effective use of cohesive devices (e.g., linking words, pronouns)
to connect sentences and paragraphs.
• Overall coherence and cohesion in presenting and developing
ideas

3. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary

Description: This criterion evaluates the range and accuracy of your
vocabulary.
• Key Points:
• Demonstrating a wide range of vocabulary appropriate for the
task.
• Using collocations, idiomatic expressions, and academic
vocabulary effectively.
• Minimizing errors in word choice and demonstrating flexibility in
vocabulary usage

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy:

Description: This criterion assesses the range and accuracy of
grammatical structures used in your writing.
• Key Points:
• Demonstrating a variety of grammatical structures and sentence
types.
• Maintaining accuracy in grammar and sentence construction.
• Minimizing errors in grammar, punctuation, and sentence
structure.

Each criterion is scored on a scale from 0 to 9, and the scores for each criterion are averaged to calculate the overall band score for the Writing test. It’s essential to understand these criteria and practice incorporating them into your writing to achieve a higher band score in the IELTS Writing test.