Model answer for a process diagram about recycling.Updated: February 2023.
Process diagrams are some of the easiest tasks in IELTS Academic writing task 1 as you are logically explaining a process using sequencers and passive grammar. The data is static so there are no trends to report on, it is pretty straightforward with enough practice.
How to write about a floor plan in IELTS academic writing task 1.Updated: January 2024
Here is an interesting IELTS academic task 1 question below. Be prepared as something similar could appear in writing task 1 academic. It’s not a map or a process diagram, it’s a floor plan. You will also notice it has two time periods. The present and plans for the future.
It is essential to analyse the task and its main features and then plan your writing before starting your report. Total planning for task 1 should be around 4 minutes. Remember that you need to paraphrase the introduction and give an overview of the key features for a good band score.
Updated: Feb 18th 2022
There are some IELTS teachers out there who tell students to write an outline statement after the thesis statement. In my view, this is not a good way to structure the introduction.
Outline statements are only for true academic essays that are many pages long like you would write at university (IELTS essays are short discursive essays)
Another reason why I advise not writing them is that they look like they have been memorised. The examiner is looking out for memorised statements and sentences. You could lose points on this in task response and lexical resource. To put it simply, you have to use your own words. The IELTS examiners are looking at how you can use language naturally and coherently.
A guide to linking and cohesion in IELTS writing.Updated: December 2023
One of the most important skills for getting a good score in the IELTS writing exam, is the way cohesive devices or linking devices are used. In the marking criteria for task 2 essays and Writing task 1 reports, Coherence and Cohesion accounts for 25% of your marks. So it is important to have an essay that flows naturally and is easy for the reader to understand. A key component of this is cohesive devices, however, use them correctly and sparingly.
Complex sentences in IELTS writing.Updated: May 2024
It is important to use some ‘complex sentences’ in IELTS writing task 2 otherwise you are unlikely to get a band 6 or more in grammar. However, not all of your sentences have to be ‘complex‘ you need to use simple sentences too.
Grammar accounts for 25% of your marks in the writing tasks but there is some confusion in IELTS about what a ‘complex sentence’ actually is.
IELTS Reading: Matching headings tips, paraphrasing, and an exercise.Updated: September 2023.
In the IELTS reading section, there are many types of tasks and you will get 3 different types of reading tasks to answer in this section of the exam.
One of the most challenging for many students is the ‘matching headings’ questions. For this task, you need to match headings to the paragraphs and there are always more headings than you need.
The ‘matching headings’ task tests your ability to understand the difference between the main idea and a supporting point. Matching heading questions can be quite challenging so practice this as much as possible using mock tests from the Cambridge IELTS books.
How to write about IELTS graphs with future trends.Updated: October 2023
Sometimes in IELTS academic writing task 1, you may be presented with a graph showing a future prediction.
In this case, you need to use the future tense with some specific academic phrases. Let’s have a look at the grammar needed in case you get one of these in the exam. Note that the data in this task is dynamic, which means it changes over time.
Writing task 1 IELTS academic process diagram.Updated: April 2024
Describing a process in IELTS academic writing task 1 needs specific grammar, such as the passive and sequencers for showing how something is made or processed. In this lesson, I will look at how to use accurate vocabulary and grammar, the correct structure, and a model answer for a diagram showing how milk, cheese, and butter are made for commercial sale.
IELTS writing task 1 bar graph.Updated: Jan 7th 2022
The key thing to remember about line graphs and bar charts is that you must write about the key features and general trends over a period of time (if it is dynamic data) Some tasks are static where you would not use the language of trends though so spend a minute analysing the task and take two or three minutes to plan the task. Do not go directly into writing without a plan.
It is not necessary to go into too much detail but at the same time, you must cover every part of the task. In this lesson we will look at:
How to write about people’s opinions in IELTS discussion essays.Updated: April 2023
When writing a discussion essay in IELTS writing task 2 you have to state other people’s opinions as well as give your own opinion. Discussion essays also ask for your opinion so it is important to state your view not only in the introduction but also in the main body paragraphs, and then refer to the differing views and re-paraphrase your opinion in the conclusion.
To show other people’s views you will need to use specific phrases which I have outlined in this lesson. You will need to mention others’ views or the whole essay could turn into a problem-solution essay or even an advantage-disadvantage essay. It is all about the way language is used here.