Writing

What are the two task types in IELTS Academic Writing?

• ATask 1: Describe a graph/chart/diagram; Task 2: Write an essay✓
• BTask 1: Write a letter; Task 2: Write a report
• CTask 1: Summarise a reading text; Task 2: Write a discussion essay
• DTask 1: Describe a process; Task 2: Write a narrative essay

Answer: In IELTS Academic Writing, Task 1 requires candidates to describe visual data (graph, chart, map, process diagram) in at least 150 words, and Task 2 requires an essay of at least 250 words.

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, what must candidates produce?

• AA description of a bar chart
• BA formal or informal letter✓
• CA short report on a table of data
• DA summary of a reading passage

Answer: General Training Writing Task 1 requires candidates to write a letter — which may be formal, semi-formal, or informal depending on the prompt — of at least 150 words.

What is the minimum recommended word count for IELTS Writing Task 2?

• A150 words
• B200 words
• C250 words✓
• D300 words

Answer: IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a minimum of 250 words. Writing fewer words will be penalised under the Task Achievement or Task Response criterion.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is worth how much of the total Writing band score?

• AOne quarter
• BOne third
• CHalf
• DTwo thirds✓

Answer: Writing Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1. Task 2 accounts for two-thirds of the Writing band score, making it the more important task to prioritise.

Which of the four marking criteria for IELTS Writing Task 2 relates to the range and accuracy of sentence structures used?

• ATask Response
• BCoherence and Cohesion
• CLexical Resource
• DGrammatical Range and Accuracy✓

Answer: Grammatical Range and Accuracy assesses the variety of grammatical structures a candidate uses (simple, compound, complex sentences) and how accurately they are applied.

A candidate writes the same word 'important' seven times in their Task 2 essay. Which marking criterion is MOST directly affected?

• ATask Response
• BCoherence and Cohesion
• CLexical Resource✓
• DGrammatical Range and Accuracy

Answer: Lexical Resource assesses vocabulary range, accuracy, and appropriacy. Repetitive use of the same word suggests a limited vocabulary, which will lower the Lexical Resource score.

In an IELTS Task 1 Academic response describing a bar chart, which of the following is an appropriate overview statement?

• A'In conclusion, the chart shows many interesting trends that I will describe.'
• B'Overall, sales of Product A consistently outperformed Product B throughout the period shown.'✓
• C'The bar chart was published in 2023 and contains six categories.'
• D'I think Product A is better than Product B based on the data.'

Answer: An overview should identify the most significant trends or comparisons without listing specific data. Option B correctly summarises a key trend. Option A is vague, C describes the chart itself, and D uses an inappropriate personal opinion.

Which writing task type requires you to present both sides of an argument before giving your own opinion?

• AProblem-solution essay
• BDiscussion essay (both sides + opinion)✓
• CAdvantages-disadvantages essay
• DCause-effect essay

Answer: A 'discuss both views and give your own opinion' task requires presenting arguments for and against a position and then clearly stating and supporting your own standpoint.

A candidate writes: 'However, moreover, furthermore, in addition, on the other hand' — all in the same paragraph. What is the most likely problem with their writing?

• AInsufficient task response
• BOveruse of cohesive devices, making the writing mechanical✓
• CToo few grammatical structures
• DInappropriate register for a formal essay

Answer: Using too many discourse markers in a single paragraph is a sign of mechanical or forced cohesion. Coherence and Cohesion is penalised when devices are used indiscriminately or excessively.

In IELTS Academic Task 1, a process diagram is provided showing how paper is recycled. The response should be written in which tense?

• APast simple, as the process has already happened
• BPresent simple passive, as it describes a general process✓
• CFuture simple, as the process is planned
• DPresent continuous, as the process is ongoing

Answer: Process diagrams describe a recurring, general sequence of events. The present simple passive (e.g., 'the paper is collected', 'it is sorted') is the standard tense for describing such processes.

Which sentence best demonstrates a Band 7 level of Lexical Resource in an essay about urbanisation?

• A'Many people move to cities because cities have good jobs and services.'
• B'Urban migration is driven by the availability of employment opportunities and superior public services.'✓
• C'Lots of people go to big cities where they can find work and better things.'
• D'Urbanisation is a phenomenon that has many reasons behind it.'

Answer: Option B uses precise, academic vocabulary ('urban migration', 'employment opportunities', 'superior public services') and complex noun phrases, demonstrating the range expected at Band 7.

A Task 2 question states: 'Some people argue that zoos are beneficial for animal conservation. Others believe they are cruel and should be abolished. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.' A candidate only discusses reasons why zoos are harmful and never addresses the conservation argument. Which criterion suffers most?

• AGrammatical Range and Accuracy
• BLexical Resource
• CTask Response✓
• DCoherence and Cohesion

Answer: Task Response assesses whether candidates fully address all parts of the task. Ignoring one side of a discussion question is a significant failure to address the task requirements.