IELTS Writing: Learn How to Ace IELTS Tasks 1 & 2

IELTS is an important exam that can help you make your dream of studying in one of the top global universities come true. What makes IELTS even better is that it is accepted by over 11,500 organizations and over 140 countries in the world. But acing IELTS writing part can be quite challenging. The writing section of IELTS tests your ability to communicate in English writing and how well you can convey your thoughts. To help you ace this section and increase your band score, we have listed some of the top tips and tricks below!

Overview of IELTS Writing

As we mentioned above, the IELTS writing module is used to assess your English writing ability. In the writing section, you have to complete two tasks in 60 minutes and both of these tasks have a specific word limit. For writing task 1, you have to write 150 words and for task 2, you have to write 250 words.

Another thing to remember while completing these tasks is that Task 2 has more weight in the writing section as compared to Task 1. So, it is generally advised to allot 40 minutes to writing task 2 and 20 minutes for task 1. To help you understand these tasks better, we have explained both of them below in detail:

IELTS Academic Test

The first part of the IELTS writing section is the academic test. This is designed for students who want to go for their graduation or post-graduation abroad. Below are some things you should keep in mind during the IELTS academic test:

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

In the IELTS writing task 1, you have to describe an infographic in 150 words. These infographics generally include pie charts, maps, line graphs, process diagrams, and bar graphs. Additionally, sometimes you will be asked to describe two kinds of infographics at once.

IELTS General Test

The general test of IELTS writing will test your everyday English. This is mostly taken by those who are looking to move to an English-speaking country. Below are some things and details you should keep in mind for the IELTS general test.

IELTS General Writing Task 1

The IELTS writing task 1 also requires you to write 150 words just like the IELTS academic and you are advised to spend 20 minutes here as well. But what makes this different from the IELTS academic is that, here you are asked to write a letter.

To write this letter, you will be given all the instructions, context, and the specific points you are required to include. Moreover, this can vary from formal to informal depending on the requirement of the test.

IELTS Academic/General Writing Task 2

The IELTS writing task 2 is the same for both academic and general writing. Here, you are required to write an essay where you have to either defend or give your opinion on a social issue.

Additionally, depending on your preference, you can answer it either formally or informally. The topics here can either be public like government issues, or personal like your preference on something.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing

You already know that IELTS is an important exam. With IELTS, you get a step closer to studying abroad in your dream college. While it is an excellent opportunity for those dreaming of either studying or moving abroad, lower marks in IELTS can break your overall application.

That is the reason why, while writing IELTS exam you should avoid a few common mistakes that can hamper your band score. So that you don’t make these mistakes during your IELTS writing section, we have listed them below:

Writing Less Words

One of the biggest mistakes most students make is not writing enough words. In IELTS, there is a particular word limit that you need to follow and failing to do this can negatively impact your band score. Additionally, it can also make your examiner feel that you don’t understand the topic.

Writing Excessive Words

The second common mistake is writing too many words. Just like how fewer words can impact your score, excessive words can also negatively affect your band score. Many students believe writing too many words can help them get better scores, but the truth is beating around the bush and using excessive words will give your examiner a chance to deduct your marks.

Grammatical Mistakes

Another common mistake most students make in the IELTS writing section is making too many grammatical errors. No matter how good your English language is, if you make too many grammatical mistakes, you risk your chances of getting a higher score.

No Structure

While writing IELTS answer, not following a structure is also a big mistake most students make. Each question has a different requirement so you can not follow any format you want. Make sure that while writing your answers, you understand the question first and frame your answer accordingly.

Not Enough Practice

Lastly, not practising enough. The more you practice, the more you will get good at time management. This can help you get an idea of the kind of pressure you will be under during the real test. So make sure that you take up a few extra IELTS writing mock test during your IELTS preparation.

Top Tips for IELTS Writing Success

If you find yourself struggling with answering questions in both part 1 and part 2 of IELTS writing, then below are a few tips that you can use while structuring your answers:

1. First and foremost, make sure that you understand the question completely and give an answer accordingly.

2. Make sure that before you start your test, you allocate enough time to each of the section and keep some extra time for reviewing, planning, and writing your responses.

3. Practice as many IELTS mock test as you can. Mock tests can mimic real exams and help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will give you an idea of the areas you should focus on during your preparation.

4. In IELTS writing, there is no correct or incorrect answer. The examiner will grade you based on how well you can convey yourself.

5. Make sure that you follow American, British, and Australian norms in your answers and avoid spelling mistakes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the IELTS writing part is an important part of your IELTS exam. This part will help you to achieve the band score you need to pursue your dream of studying in top universities. In our article above, we gave you a general overview of the whole writing section along with some top tips that you can follow to structure the perfect answer to any question.

Additionally, our last advice for you is to take up as many mock tests as possible. And not just for the writing section, make sure you practice IELTS reading mock test too for your overall preparation. However, if you are struggling with preparing for your IELTS exam, you can contact our experts at Gradding.com who will give you tailored assistance.