WRITING EXERCISES HELP
 

Before You Begin...
   

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 The Writing Tasks in the Free Downloads are similar in style and format to those in the actual IELTS test.

The Academic Module Writing Task 1 is different in form to that of the General Training Module Writing Task 1. The General Training Task 1 requires you to write a letter; the Academic Module Task 1 usually involves a statistical report.

The Academic Module Writing Task 2 essay question is more academic in style than the less complex General Training Module essay.

ACADEMIC TASK 1:

    A report of a graph containing statistical information, or a diagram requiring explanation.

GENERAL TRAINING TASK 1:

    A letter outlining a particular given situation with a number of points which must be covered.

ACADEMIC TASK 2:

    An essay on a given topic usually of an academic nature but not requiring specific knowledge.

GENERAL TRAINING TASK 2:

    An essay on a given topic of general interest.

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 Read the questions carefully before writing your answer. It is a good idea to practise by making a plan of what each paragraph you intend to write will contain. In the actual IELTS test, however, you will probably not have enough time to make a detailed plan.
 

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 There are time restrictions given for both practice download tasks which correspond to the recommended time restrictions in the actual test. However, you are advised to spend more time than is recommended when writing for practice.
 

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 Write your answers on A4 size paper, and do not double space. You should, in fact, take care to write neatly, using margins, since the actual test papers have both left and right margins.
 

* Both writing tasks require you to write in paragraphs and not in note form, and your work should:
a)   indicate that you have the ability to accurately describe what you see in the diagrams of
Academic Writing Task 1
    or
    show that you have written an accurate and imaginative letter that describes the situation given
in General Training Task 1
and
b)   express a number of interesting and relevant ideas about the essay topic in Writing Task 2.
* Be sure to check your work carefully, not only for grammar and sentence construction problems, but also for punctuation and spelling – all of which are considered when your work is graded in the actual test.
 
* Check the model answers by clicking on the Answers link below the two question tasks.
* Click on the Notes link to look at the notes given for both task answers.
* You are strongly advised to refer your written answers to an experienced English teacher many weeks before attempting the actual IELTS Writing test.