Overview of Academic IELTS Writing Test

The Academic IELTS Writing test lasts 1 hour and is composed of 2 parts. The suggested time for the first part is 20 minutes and the second part is 40 minutes. The first task tests your ability to describe a graph, chart, table or process. The second task demands a written argument. It is more important than task 1 and therefore carries more marks.

Writing Task 1

You are advised to spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Example

The graph/chart/table below shows ....

Write a report for a university tutor describing the information shown below.

You should write at least 150 words.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 1

• Do not spend more than 20 minutes completing this task.
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Spend some minutes planning and determining the structure of your answer.
• You can use abbreviations in your planning phase.
• The text is a report format.
• Pay attention to the time period in the graph/chart/table so that you will use the correct tense in your report.
• Write a report with at least 150 words.
• Your report's reader is a university tutor so do not use colloquial language, slang words or phrases in your report
• Draw a conclusion or just summarise the main points at the end of your writing.
• "In conclusion" or "To conclude" can be used to express something new.
• "In summary" or "To sum up" can be use to summarise what you have written.
• Spend some 2-3 minutes checking over what you have written.

Writing Task 2

You are advised to spend a maximum of 40 minutes on this task.

Example

Write an essay for an educated reader with no specialist knowledge on the following topic:

[Writing topic here]

You should write at least 250 words.

You are required to support your arguments with examples and relevant information based on your own ideas, knowledge and experience.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

• Do not spend more than 40 minutes completing this task.
• Read the instructions, questions and essay topic carefully.
• Analyse the topic and questions.
• Spend some minutes brainstorming ideas to be used in your essay.
• Organise your ideas and determine the structure of your essay.
• Begin writing your essay with at least 250 words.
• Your essay's content is a written argument with relevant information and examples to support your points.
• Your essay's reader is an non-specialist reader with general knowledge of the topic.
• Draw a relevant conclusion or just summarise the main points at the end of your essay.
• "In conclusion" or "To conclude" can be used to express something new.
• "In summary" or "To sum up" can be use to summarise what you have written.
• Spend some 2-3 minutes checking over what you have written.

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