Frequently Asked Questions - Click to Search.
- Top 20 General Questions about the IELTS Test.
- Top 10 General Questions for the Writing Test (this page).
Top 10 General Questions for the Writing Test.
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1. What can I expect on the writing test?
2. Can I choose to write a letter for task 1 academic writing?
3. Do I get a choice of questions on the writing test?
4. How do I know which writing test to take?
5. Which task should I write about first?
6. Should I write in pen or pencil? Do I use UK or US spelling? Can I get extra paper?
7. Do I use UK or US spelling?
8. Can I get extra paper to plan and write my answers?
9. Do I need to write in paragraphs?
10. Do I need to indent paragraphs?
1. What can I expect on the writing test?
· ACADEMIC IELTS WRITING: Write 2 tasks. Task 1 requires the student to either write about a data chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, or data table), or describe the steps in a process, how something works (from a diagram), or describe and compare changes in geographical maps. The task should be completed in 20 minutes and must be at least 150 words. Task 2 is an academic essay that has to be at least 250 words completed in 40 minutes.
· GENERAL TRAINING: Write 2 tasks. Task 1 is a letter that should be no less than 150 words and you should complete the task in 20 minutes. Task 2 is an academic style essay that should be at least 250 words completed in 40 minutes.
2. Can I choose to write a letter for task 1 academic writing?
· No. If you take the academic module, you will describe and compare data for task 1; only in the General Training module are you required to write a letter.
3. Do I get a choice of questions on the writing test?
· No. Both academic and GT IELTS writing do NOT give you a choice of writing about different questions. You will need to answer the task 1 and task 2 questions that you are given and both questions are compulsory.
4. How do I know which writing test to take?
· You need academic IELTS if you are going to study at college or university or if you intend to work in medicine, such as doctors and nurses. If you intend to migrate to an English speaking country to work and live, then you will take GT IELTS. Check with your sponsor or organisation that you will work or study with to be sure.
5. Which task should I write about first?
· You have an hour to complete both tasks, so it is your choice which one to write about first. Personally, I like to look at task 2 first to see what the question is about and brainstorm a few ideas for about 1 minute just to get an advanced idea about what is coming after task 1. I would then complete task 1, check my task 1 answer and complete task 2. However, you can complete task 1 or task 2 in any order you choose. Just make sure that you complete both tasks and do not write less than the minimum word count for each task as this will otherwise cost you marks.
6. Should I write in pen or pencil? Do I use UK or US spelling? Can I get extra paper?
· You can write in pen or pencil. If you write in pencil, remember to take an eraser.
7. Do I use UK or US spelling?
· Use either UK or US spelling. It doesn't matter. Both are accepted.
8. Can I get extra paper to plan and write my answers?
· If you need extra paper to complete your answer, just ask for it. However, you are not given additional paper for working out your answer, but this is not a problem as students always plan their answers by writing on their question paper. Examiners do not evaluate anything written on question papers - only your answer paper.
9. Do I need to write in paragraphs?
· Yes. If you do not write in clear paragraphs, then you will lose a lot of marks. Using paragraphing effectively is one of the requirements to get a good band score for 'cohesion and coherence', which is one of the band score descriptors used by examiners when they mark your test. To make your paragraphing clear, it is recommended that you leave a line blank in-between one paragraph and another.
10. Do I need to indent paragraphs?
· If you want to, you can indent your paragraphs to show you have awareness of this writing convention though it is not necessary to do this, so if you forget, don't worry about it. This writing convention has lost its importance since the introduction of computers, and the accepted convention is to leave a line blank in-between one paragraph and another to make it clear that you have started a new paragraph. I think if you leave a blank line and indent, it looks better, but you will not lose any marks for failing to indent paragraphs as long as you have left a line.
Frequently Asked Questions - Click to Search.
- Top 20 General Questions for the IELTS Test.
- Top 10 General Questions for the Writing Test (this page).