What is the IELTS Academic Writing Module?

 

Duration and Format:

The Writing module of the IELTS consists of a 60 minute module with two tasks.

 

Task 1: A diagram or table will be presented to you and you must write out

approximately a 150 word discussion on it within approximately 20 minutes. 

You are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and

are asked to summarise and report the information in your own words.

You may be asked to select and compare data, describe the stages

of a process, describe an object or how something works. 

Click here for sample Task 1 essays.

 

Task 2: You are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view,

argument or problem. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the

Writing score. Click here for sample Task 2 essays.

 

The issues raised are of general interest to, suitable for and easily

understood by test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate

studies or seeking professional registration.

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Types of Task 1 (Academic):

There are two parts. Responses to Task 1 and Task 2 should be written

in an academic, semi-formal or neutral style.

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Type 1:  Pie Chart

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Type 2:  Process or Diagram

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Type 3:  Bar Graph

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Type 4:  Table

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Type 5:  Map

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Type 6:  Line Graph

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Type 7:  Multiple Graphs

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Marking and Assessment:

Task 1: You must evaluate the diagram or table, organize your ideas, and develop them into a

cohesive and coherent explanation.

 

Task 2: You will be scored on how well you are able to utilize standard written English,

organize and explain your thoughts, and support those thoughts with reasons

and examples. 

 

 

 

What is IELTS General Training Writing Module?

 

Duration and Format:

The Writing module of the IELTS consists of a 60 minute module with two tasks.

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Task 1: This is a letter and you must write at least 150 words. You should spend

about 20 minutes out of the hour for task.

 You are presented with a situation and are asked to write

a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter

may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.

Click here for sample letters.

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Task 2: Same as in Academic.

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Types of Task 1 (General Training):

The primary three types of letters are:
Formal, Semi-formal and Informal (also known as personal) letter.

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Type 1:  Thank you

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Type 2:  Request

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Type 3:  Information

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Type 4:  Complaint

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Type 5:  Apology

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Type 6:  Invitation

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Type 7:  Application

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Marking and Assessment:

Essays are awarded a band score based on the following four criteria:

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• Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2) - 25%

• Coherence and Cohesion - 25%

• Lexical Resource - 25%

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy - 25%

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Task 1 is weighed about 30% and Task is about 70% of the band score for Writing.

 

Get the assessment criteria for Task 1 here.

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Get the assessment criteria for Task 2 here.

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Get printable answer sheets for Writing Task 1 and Task 2 here.