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Tips for IELTS Writing Test
The writing part of IELTS test has 2 tasks for writing. The time allowed for this module is 60 minutes.
Task 1 : To summarize or describe a given table, chart, graph or diagram.
Task 2 : To write an essay on a given topic.
Tips for IELTS Writing test
The tips to score high in the writing part of IELTS test are as follows:
- The writing part of IELTS requires good literary and scholarly writing skills.
- Your sentences should be grammatically correct. Use correct forms of verb and correct prepositions.
- Use a formal writing style by using standard words rather than common informal words. Use a wide range of vocabulary rather than repeating the same word.
- The structure of your paragraph should be correct. The starting line of a paragraph is an introductory line which introduces an idea. The next lines elaborate the idea of first line. Use one paragraph for discussing only one idea. Don’t mix up many ideas in the same paragraph.
- Avoid writing long sentences. Write short sentences. Short sentences have less chances of grammatical errors.
- The starting letter of each sentence must be capital. Each sentence should end with period (.).
- Be careful about correct use of punctuation, i.e., comma, question mark, semi-colon, exclamation mark, etc.
- To describe a graph, focus on the information given on its base and vertical sides. In graphs, two variables (with some relationship between them) are given on its base and vertical side. Looking at these both sides, you will easily understand what these variables are and what is the relationship between them. Understanding these two aspects, you will be able to explain the graph by starting with a sentence such as ‘The shown table reflects relationship between poverty and crime rate.’ Sometimes, they may also give another variable to show some trend in the relationship between the two main variables. For instance, in a graph showing relationship between poverty and crime rate, they may also add a variable for ‘year’ to show the trend of relationship between poverty and crime rate over time. Then, you also have to consider that variable. For instance, you explained the relationship between the two variables and now want to discuss about how this relationship changed over time, you would start this part with a sentence such as, ‘The graph shows a deep relationship between poverty and crime rate, however, this relationship has strengthened over time’.
- To describe a table: Tables have rows and columns with (mostly statistical) values. Generally, the outer column or row of the table shows the names or label which helps understand what the given values are about. Therefore, look at the external column and row to see what the given values are about. Then, see the values within the table to understand nature of given information. Like graph, the table may also show some trend or relationship between two or more things. For instance, it may show sale of a product in different months, where the top row shows the name of months, the remaining cells shows the number of sales of a product. However, this is just an example to understand, the table can also present other types of information.
- To describe a diagram, focus on its constituents. Diagrams generally represent a concept having several parts or a process involving several stages. For instance, the diagram may show human digestive system where different part of body (involved in digestion) are shown in the diagram such as mouth, stomach, pancreas, and intestines. For each constituent of the diagram, there is enough information given in the diagram, and therefore, it is quite easy to describe it. Another example can be a diagram showing water cycle by giving sketches for water evaporation, condensation and raining.
- To write an essay on a given topic, read the topic carefully. Think about its various aspects to draw a sketch of it in mind. You can make an outline of the essay and write it on a rough sheet to help yourself write the whole essay.
- Essay has a correct structure having three parts 1) Introduction, 2) Body, and 3) Conclusion. The paragraph serves as an introductory part where you introduce the idea. The next part, the body, consists of several paragraphs to elaborate various aspects of the topic. In the last part, the conclusion, summarize your whole essay in a comprehensive form.
- Practice! Writing part requires proper preparation before attempting the test. Hence, practice some available tests. Learn the basics of English grammar. Learn good vocabulary as well as its correct usage.