Writing Practice IELTS | Academic & General Test, Task 1, Task 2

Using authentic writing practice IELTS materials is essential to develop the skills necessary to get a high score in the writing test.

The IELTS Writing Test has two tasks:

• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Practice IELTS

You can choose to self-study with practice tests for the IELTS Academic Writing Test using an IELTS course book and video lessons on YouTube. Or join an IELTS Preparation Course if you can find one near you.

Task 1

In IELTS Writing Task 1, you need to write a description of at least 150 words. This is based on material given in a chart, table, graph or diagram.

Your answer to Task 1 demonstrates your ability to:

• Present information
• Summarize the main features of the information

Writing Practice IELTS Academic Test Task 1 Model Answers

1. Describe data in pie chart & Table
2. Describe data in table (category & %)
3. Describe data in table
4. Describe data in bar chart
5. Describe data in graph
6. Describe data in line graph

Task 2

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to write a short essay of at least 250 words responding to an opinion or question. The topics used are appropriate for and easily understandable by candidates who are planning to enter undergraduate or postgraduate courses.

Your answer to Task 2 demonstrates your ability to:

• Discuss abstract issues
• Present a solution to a problem
• Present and justify an opinion
• Compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
• Evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument

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Academic IELTS Task 2 Sample Answers

1. Agree/Disagree: Languages
2. Problem & Solution: Health
3. Agree/Disagree: Community Service
4. Opinion: Technology
5. Agree/Disagree + Solution: Fuel Prices
6. Discussion + Opinion: Children & Society
7. Agree/Disagree: Age & Learning

How is the IELTS Academic Writing test scored?

In IELTS Writing Task 1 you are asked to describe some given visual information (graph/chart/table/diagram) in your own words. The IELTS examiner scores your answer on your ability to:

• organize, present and compare data,
• describe the stages of a process or procedure,
• describe an object or event or sequence of events,
• or explain how something works.

There are two sets of criteria which are used in the assessment of the IELTS Academic Writing Test. However, there are some differences in how the General Training and the Academic Writing tasks are evaluated.

General Training Writing Task 1

You are expected to write a letter, the purpose of the letter will depend on the task instructions. Your answer should contain all the necessary information according to the information given in the task. Depending on the task instructions, you should write your letter using either formal or informal language or style.

Academic Writing Task 1

Write a short report based on the information given in a table, diagram or graph. You must identify and compare key features of the information and report the data accurately.

IELTS General Training Writing and Academic Writing Task 2

You are given a question or statement. In your answer, you need to form and express your own point of view or opinion on a topic. Your ideas must be supported by relevant examples based on your own experience or knowledge.

In addition to the above, the IELTS General Training Writing and IELTS Academic Writing Tests are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Coherence and cohesion: Your answer should be organized logically into paragraphs with your ideas clearly connected. Paragraphs should have a central theme as well as including supporting evidence/statements and examples.
• Vocabulary: To achieve a high score for your writing, you need to show a wide and varied vocabulary. The words you use should be appropriate and with correct spelling.
• Grammatical range and accuracy: A high score requires the use of varied grammatical structures, both simple and complex types, and accurate use of them. You will be evaluated on the standard of punctuation in your writing also.

You will receive two answer sheets, for Task 1 and Task 2. Answers must be written in full, not in note form.

Currently, you can choose to write your answers in pen or pencil.

You should therefore take a pen, pencil and eraser with you to the exam.

Task 1 is worth one-third of the total writing marks. The minimum word count is 150 words for Task 1. Do not spend more than 20 minutes on Task 1. Task 2 is worth two-thirds of the total marks. The minimum word count for the essay is 250 words for Task 2. Do not spend more than 40 minutes on Task 2.

You will lose marks if you write less than the minimum word count suggested for each task.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

You are given a visual input (a chart. Graph, table or diagram) and have to transfer the visual information into text using your own words.

For example, you may have to consider a set of statistics presented in a graph. Then summarize the graph by selecting and reporting the main features.

Alternatively, you may have to study a diagram of a device and explain how it works. Or you may have to look at a flow chart and describe the main stages in a process.

Target skills in Task 1

• Presenting, describing, interpreting, and comparing data
• Describing a process or how something works
• Using appropriate and accurate language

Writing Short Descriptive reports

In Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Writing Test, you need to write a short descriptive report based on visual information or data. This type of visual information is commonly presented as line or bar graphs, pie charts or tables.

You might be asked to describe two graphs or charts. In this type of question, you need to compare and contrast them and make connections between the two.

Describing Pie Charts

Practice Writing for IELTS | Describing Pie Charts

Pie charts are circular charts divided into sectors or ‘pie slices’, usually illustrating percentages.

In this type of chart, the size of each pie slice shows the relative quantity of the data it represents. Together, the slices create a full circle.

They are commonly used in business world and the mass media, and are less common in scientific or technical publications.

Line Graphs

Line graphs can be used to demonstrate how something has changed over a period of time.

They consist of an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical).

Usually the x-axis shows the period of time and the y-axis shows what is being monitored.

Line graphs are often used to show trends.

Bar Graphs

Writing Practice IELTS | Bar Graphs

Bar graphs, also known as bar charts, are similar to line graphs. They have two axes and are useful for showing how something has changed over time, especially when there are significant changes.

Bar graphs consist of rectangular bars, which can be orientated horizontally or vertically, with the lengths proportional to the data that they represent.

They are typically used for comparing two or more values.

Tables

Tables contain words and numbers, displayed in columns and rows to illustrate a set of facts and the relationship among them.

Writing TIPS

• Use IELTS writing practice tests to familiarize yourself with the different types of questions.
• Each practice exercise should prompt you to focus on a different aspect of IELTS Writing.
• There are lots of FREE IELTS Writing lessons online you can use to practice.

Here are some links to useful IELTS Writing video lessons:

• IELTS Writing Test Task 1
• IELTS Writing Test Task 2 Essay

A good IELTS preparation course or IELTS Writing course will quickly help improve your writing performance for the IELTS Academic Writing Test.

Good luck with your IELTS exam preparation!