IELTS Writing Test Interview Preparation Guide

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The writing part of the IELTS test varies depending on whether you are taking the exam to study or work abroad.

If you are going to study abroad, you will take the Academic Writing Section.

If you are intending to work abroad, you will take the General Training Section.

The total test time for both is 60 minutes.

The first parts of each are different. In the general training module, you will have to write a letter, but in the academic module, you will have to describe some kind of graph or diagram.

In the first section you will need to describe, summarize or explain a graph, diagram or process. Here is an example question:

You should spend about 20 mintues on this task.

The chart shows components of GDP in the UK from 1992 to 2000.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Task 2 is an essay question. You will have to write a response to the question giving reasons and examples to support your answer. The topics are general interest.

Here is an example of a question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The dangers and complexities of the modern world have made the mobile phone an absolute necessity for children.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

Write at least 250 words.

The task of the general training module is to write a letter. You will be presented with a situation and you will need to write your letter explaining the situation or asking for information. The letter may be one of three styles:

Personal
Semi-Formal
Formal

Your response will have to reflect the appropriate style.

Here is an example question:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You want to sell your television. You think a friend of yours might like to buy it from you.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter explain

Why you are selling the television
Describe the television
Suggest a date when your friend can come and see it

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

This is the same as the IELTS writing Academic module. You will need to write an essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem. However, the essay may be in a slightly more personal style than for the academic essay.

☛TaskAchievement
☛Coherenceand Cohesion
☛Lexical Resource
☛GrammaticalRange andAccuracy

☛Task Response
☛Coherenceand Cohesion
☛Lexical Resource
☛GrammaticalRange andAccuracy

Thiscriterion assesses howappropriately,accuratelyand relevantlytheresponsefulfilstherequirements setoutin thetask,usingtheminimum of150words. Academic Writing Task 1 is a writingtaskwhichhasadefinedinputanda largely predictable output.Itis basicalyaninformationtransfer taskwhichrelates narrowly tothefactualcontentofan inputdiagram and notto speculated explanations thatlieoutsidethe givendata. General Training WritingTask 1isalso awritingtaskwith a largelypredictableoutputinthateach tasksetsoutthecontextandpurposeoftheleter and the functionsthecandidateshould coverinordertoachievethispurpose.

Thiscriterion is concernedwith theoverallclarity andfluencyofthe message:howtheresponseorganizesandlinksinformation, ideasand language.
Coherencereferstothelinking ofideasthroughlogicalsequencing.Cohesionreferstothevaried and appropriate use ofcohesive devices (for example, logicalconnectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assistinmakingthe conceptual andreferentialrelationships between andwithinsentencesclear.

This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the can did ate has used and the accuracy and appropriate of that use in terms of the specific task.