IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 and Task 2 : Structure, Format, Tips

The IELTS Academic Writing test has two tasks:

1. Task 1: Report (150 words minimum, about 20 minutes)

   • Format: You are presented with a visual input such as a graph (line, bar, pie), a chart, a table, a map, or a diagram.

   • Task: You need to describe the visual information in your own words, highlighting the key features and making comparisons where relevant.

   • Style: You need to write in a formal, objective, and concise style, avoiding personal opinions or interpretations.

2. Task 2: Essay (250 words minimum, about 40 minutes)

   • Format: You are given an essay topic, usually in the form of a statement or a question, and you have to write an essay expressing your views.

   • Task: You need to write a well-structured, coherent essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs supporting your main idea, and a conclusion.

   • Style: You are required to write in a formal academic style, presenting arguments and supporting them with logical reasoning and examples.

The IELTS Academic Writing test is designed to assess your writing skills in an academic context. It consists of two tasks that must be completed within a total duration of 60 minutes. The topics covered in these tasks are relevant to general interest areas and are appropriate for individuals preparing for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, as well as those seeking professional registration. Both tasks require responses to be written in a formal style.

Task 1: Report

In IELTS Writing Task 1, you will be presented with a visual representation of information, such as:

• Types of Visuals:

  • Graphs: (Line, Bar, Pie): Focus on trends, changes, comparisons, and proportions.

  • Tables: Highlight the main figures, comparisons, and trends across categories.

  • Maps: Describe changes over time or location, mentioning specific locations and spatial relationships.

  • Diagrams: Explain how a process or object works, focusing on the different stages or components.

• Key Elements:

  • Introduction: Rephrase the prompt in your own words.

  • Overview: Provide a general description of the visual, highlighting the most significant trends or features.

  • Body Paragraphs: Describe the details, using data from the visual to support your points.

  • No Conclusion (generally): You generally do not need a conclusion for task 1, simply end with the description of your data.

• Example Prompt:
  "The graph below shows the number of visitors to four national museums in the UK between 2010 and 2015. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and making comparisons where relevant."

What You Need to Do?

Your task will be to describe, summarize, or explain the information presented in the visual. Here’s how to structure your response:

1. Paraphrase the task prompt and introduce the visual representation.
2. Provide a general summary of the main trends or features you observe without going into details.
3. Highlight key details and make comparisons where relevant. Use specific figures from the visual to support your observations.

You need to write at least 150 words for Task 1, and you should aim to complete this task in about 20 minutes. Candidates are advised to not use any bullet points or notes.

Task 2: Essay

In IELTS Writing Task 2 of the IELTS Academic Writing test, you will be required to write an essay that responds to a specific point of view, argument, or problem. This task is designed to evaluate your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and logically in an academic or semi-formal style. The topics can cover a wide range of issues, including:

• Common Essay Types:

  • Opinion/Agree or Disagree: State your opinion and support it with reasons and examples.

  • Discussion/Discuss Both Views: Discuss both sides of an argument and give your opinion.

  • Advantages and Disadvantages: Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of a particular issue.

  • Causes and Solutions: Explain the reasons for a problem and suggest some solutions.

  • Two-Part Question: Answer two specific questions related to a single topic.

• Key Elements:

  • Introduction: Introduce the topic, give some background, and state your thesis (main idea).

  • Body Paragraphs: Develop your argument with supporting points, reasons, and examples.

  • Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your opinion.

• Example Prompt:
  "Some people think that museums are becoming less important, while others believe they are essential for our culture. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

What You Need to Do?

Your essay should clearly express your opinion or argument and support it with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

To effectively convey your ideas, it’s essential to organize your essay into clear paragraphs.  Here’s how to structure your essay:

1. Introduction: Start by paraphrasing the question and stating your main argument or perspective. This sets the stage for your discussion.
2. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single idea that supports your overall argument. Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the idea, followed by supporting details and examples that illustrate your point.
3. Conclusion: Summarize the key points discussed in your essay and restate your position clearly. This reinforces your argument and provides closure to your discussion.

You need to write at least 250 words for Task 2, and you should aim to complete this task in about 40 minutes.

Understanding these criteria is absolutely crucial for achieving a good score because they reveal exactly what the examiners are looking for. The assessment criteria are the same for both Task 1 and Task 2, but the weight given to each criterion varies slightly.

There are four main criteria that are used to assess your writing, each worth 25% of your overall score in the writing module:

1. Task Achievement (Task Response for Task 2)

2. Coherence and Cohesion

3. Lexical Resource

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Let's look at each one in detail:

1. Task Achievement (For Task 1) / Task Response (For Task 2)

• What it Means: This criterion assesses how well you have addressed the specific requirements of the task. It's all about whether you have fulfilled the instructions and covered all aspects of the given prompt.

  • Task 1 (Task Achievement): Focuses on your ability to accurately and clearly describe the key features of the visual data. You must:

    • Identify and report the main trends, patterns, and significant details.

    • Make comparisons where necessary.

    • Provide an overview of the general information.

    • Avoid including irrelevant information or personal opinions.

    • Write a concise and clear report.

  • Task 2 (Task Response): Focuses on how well you answer the essay question and how well you support your ideas. You must:

    • Address all parts of the question.

    • Present a clear position (if required).

    • Support your opinions with relevant and logical reasons, examples, or evidence.

    • Develop your ideas fully and clearly.

    • Ensure the essay is focused and relevant.

• What Examiners Look For:

  • A clear understanding of what the task requires.

  • A relevant response that fully addresses the prompt.

  • A well-developed and supported answer with a clear overall message.

  • (Task 1) Accurate reporting of data, with clear references to key features.

  • (Task 2) A clear stance, well-supported, and well-developed.

• How to Improve:

  • Always read the instructions carefully and plan your response.

  • Make sure you understand the type of essay you're required to write (opinion, discussion, etc.).

  • Take the time to brainstorm ideas before you begin to write.

  • Practice writing on different types of prompts.

  • Ensure that your response meets the word count requirements (min 150 words for task 1, and 250 words for task 2)

2. Coherence and Cohesion

• What it Means: This criterion assesses how well your writing is organized, how clear your ideas are, and how well you connect your ideas to form a smooth, logical flow. It's about making your writing easy to follow.

  • Coherence: The overall clarity and logical structure of your writing, ensuring your ideas are presented in an understandable order.

  • Cohesion: The use of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas within and between sentences and paragraphs.

• What Examiners Look For:

  • A clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion (for Task 2).

  • A logical progression of ideas and arguments.

  • Effective use of paragraphs to structure the information in Task 1 and Task 2.

  • Correct and varied use of linking words (e.g., 'however,' 'therefore,' 'furthermore').

  • A clear flow of ideas, making it easy to read.

  • Effective use of referencing and substitution in sentences (e.g., 'it', 'this', 'they')

• How to Improve:

  • Practice using a variety of linking words and phrases.

  • Organize your ideas logically by using a proper structure.

  • Read model essays to see how they use paragraphing and linking words.

  • Make sure each paragraph has a clear topic and supporting ideas.

  • Avoid too many short and simple sentences that are disconnected from each other.

3. Lexical Resource

• What it Means: This criterion assesses the range and accuracy of your vocabulary. It's not just about using lots of words, but about using the right words in the right way.

  • Range: Using a variety of vocabulary, instead of repeating the same words.

  • Accuracy: Using words correctly, with the proper meaning and in the appropriate context.

• What Examiners Look For:

  • A wide range of vocabulary.

  • Precise use of vocabulary relevant to the topic.

  • Avoidance of repetitive words and phrases.

  • Use of synonyms, paraphrasing, and topic-specific words.

  • Correct use of collocations (words that commonly go together).

  • Good command of idiomatic language where appropriate.

  • Effective use of less common vocabulary, in suitable contexts.

• How to Improve:

  • Read widely to learn new vocabulary in context.

  • Keep a vocabulary notebook of new words and phrases.

  • Focus on learning synonyms and paraphrasing skills.

  • Practice using newly learned words in your own writing.

  • Study collocations to use the right words together.

  • Use a thesaurus but carefully check meanings and connotations.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• What it Means: This criterion assesses the variety and correctness of your grammar. It's about showing that you can use a wide range of grammatical structures with accuracy.

  • Range: Demonstrating a variety of grammatical structures such as simple, complex, and compound sentences.

  • Accuracy: Using proper tense, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreements, and other grammar rules.

• What Examiners Look For:

  • A range of grammatical structures (e.g., simple, compound, complex sentences).

  • Correct use of tenses, articles, prepositions, pronouns, and other grammatical components.

  • Good control of complex grammatical structures (e.g., conditional sentences).

  • Avoiding basic grammatical errors.

  • Variety in sentence structure and length.

  • Appropriate use of punctuation.

• How to Improve:

  • Focus on learning a variety of sentence structures.

  • Review your grammar rules.

  • Practice grammar exercises.

  • Proofread your writing carefully to identify and correct any errors.

  • Learn how to use different tenses appropriately and accurately.

  • Don't overuse a particular structure or sentence type.

How these Criteria Apply to Both Tasks:

• Task 1 & Task 2: All four criteria are assessed in both tasks, but "Task Achievement" (Task 1) and "Task Response" (Task 2) have slightly different focuses due to the different goals of each task. Coherence & cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range & accuracy are used in the same way for both tasks.

 here are some concise yet powerful expert tips for IELTS Writing preparation, designed to be actionable and effective:

General Tips (Applicable to Both Task 1 and Task 2):

1. Understand the Task: Always read the instructions carefully. Know exactly what you're asked to do before you start writing. Misinterpreting the task is a common mistake.

2. Plan First: Spend 2-5 minutes planning your response (brainstorm, structure, and key points). Planning helps with coherence and focus.

3. Time Management: Stick to a strict time allocation (20 mins for Task 1, 40 mins for Task 2). Don't get stuck on one task.

4. Use Your Own Words: Avoid copying directly from the prompt. Paraphrase and use synonyms.

5. Proofread: Always leave 2-3 minutes to check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

6. Focus on Accuracy: Aim for accurate language before trying to use complex structures.

7. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Practice writing frequently, and focus on your mistakes.

Task 1 Specific Tips (Report):

1. Identify Key Features: Focus on the most significant trends, comparisons, or changes. Don't try to include every little detail.

2. Start With an Overview: Give a general overview of the visual before getting into details.

3. Use Data to Support: Use actual numbers and data to back up your descriptions.

4. Use Specific Language: Use vocabulary for describing graphs, trends, and comparisons (e.g., "increased sharply," "declined gradually," "remained stable").

5. Don't Give Opinions: Do not include any personal opinions or interpretations in your report.

Task 2 Specific Tips (Essay):

1. Clear Position: State your position clearly in the introduction (if required by the essay type).

2. Develop Each Idea: One idea per paragraph. Fully develop it with reasons, examples, or evidence.

3. Use Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

4. Write in a Formal Style: Avoid informal language, slang, and contractions.

5. Write a Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your position in the conclusion.

6. Avoid memorizing: Don't memorize any answers, as this can appear unnatural.

Lexical Resource Tips (Vocabulary):

1. Learn Topic Vocabulary: Build vocabulary relevant to common IELTS topics (e.g., environment, education, technology).

2. Use Synonyms: Replace simple words with more advanced synonyms to showcase your vocabulary range.

3. Use Collocations: Use common word combinations correctly (e.g., "make a decision," "take responsibility").

4. Avoid Overuse: Don't overuse a specific word. Try to use synonyms to create more natural writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy Tips:

1. Variety of Sentences: Use a mix of simple, complex, and compound sentences.

2. Correct Tenses: Pay close attention to the correct use of tenses.

3. Master Basic Grammar: Make sure your basic grammar is accurate (e.g., subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions).

4. Use Connectors: Use connecting words to improve cohesion and flow.

5. Avoid Basic Errors: Proofread to avoid simple grammar mistakes.

Coherence and Cohesion Tips:

1. Paragraphing: Use paragraphs effectively to organize your ideas clearly.

2. Linking Words: Use linking words and phrases to connect ideas smoothly (e.g., "however," "furthermore," "therefore").

3. Logical Order: Arrange your points in a logical order that is easy to follow.

4. Referencing: Use pronouns to avoid unnecessary repetitions.

Expert Strategies:

1. Analyze Model Answers: Study high-scoring essays to learn good structure, vocabulary, and grammar.

2. Get Feedback: Have your essays assessed by an experienced teacher or tutor.

3. Focus on Your Weaknesses: Identify your areas of weakness and focus on improving them.

4. Practice Under Pressure: Time yourself when practicing to get used to the exam conditions.

5. Set Realistic Goals: Focus on consistent improvement, not perfection.