IELTS ACADEMIC WRITING IMPORTANT TIPS & HIGH SCORING SAMPLE ANSQWERS! (Written By An IELTS Teacher) By Daniella Moyla Copyright 2015 by Daniella Moyla Published by Sanbrook Publishing Smashwords Edition All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author. Limits of Liability / Disclaimer of Warranty: The author and publisher of this book and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing this program. The author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this program.
They disclaim any warranties (expressed or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. As always, the advice of a competent legal, tax, accounting or other professionals should be sought. This manual contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties.
Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL). ISBN: 9781310757716 ***** Table of Contents Why You Should Read This Book Task 1 Writing - Academic What Is Task 1? Suggested Answer Structure Scoring Criteria Task 1 Question Types High Scoring Task 1 Sample Answers Sample Answer – (Graph) Sample Answer – (Map) Sample Answer – (Process) Task 2 Writing - Academic What Is Task 2? Suggested Answer Structure Scoring Criteria Task 2 Question Types High Scoring Task 2 Sample Answers Sample Answer – (Argument) Sample Answer – (Argument) Sample Answer – (Proposal) Sample Answer – (Proposal) Sample Answer – (Discussion) Sample Answer – (Discussion) About the Author Why You Should Read This Book The IELTS can be a very daunting exam to achieve a high score in. The significance of the IELTS can be the difference between obtaining a visa or position at a university for many people.
Therefore, it is important that if you require a specific IELTS score, you review what makes high quality writing answers before you take the exam. All too many people take the IELTS several times without reaching their desired score and do not understand why. This book has been written specifically for people like you who want to view sample writing answers that comply with the standards of IELTS scoring criteria and would achieve a high score if written for an IELTS exam. Many sample answers on the internet today are not quality reviewed and can be misleading.
These answers however have been written by a professional IELTS teacher with more than 10 years experience who has used these methods to reach high scoring results with most of her students. If you want to succeed on the IELTS, then this book will assist you in understanding what is required. You should read this book if: • You have taken the IELTS exam before and did not obtain a high score in the writing section and don’t know why. • You have searched the internet for sample answers but you are unsure of the quality of the answers and who wrote them.
• You have never taken the IELTS exam and you want to review how high scoring answers are structured, so you can follow a similar format. • Your IELTS exam is very soon and you need last minute guidance on how to write high scoring answers. Task 1 Writing - Academic What Is Task 1? In Task 1 of the Academic format, you are requested to write a report to a university lecturer. This report can be based on different types of visual diagrams such as bar graphs, pie charts, tables and more currently, maps.
Alternatively you might be asked to write a description of a process or sequence of events. You need to write this report in an unbiased and academic manner in at least 150 words. Suggested Answer Structure You should structure your answer in four different paragraphs: 1. Introductory paragraph: a paraphrase of the question 2.
Overview: the description of the main features, changes or sequence observed in the diagram 3. Detailed paragraph: a more detailed description of the other features and trends 4. Summary: a short summary of the information observed Scoring Criteria You will be assessed according to the following criteria: • Task achievement: how well and thoroughly you answer the question • Coherence and cohesion: how well you sequence, connect, and organize the information • Lexical Resource: the variety of vocabulary you use • Grammatical range and accuracy: the variety of structures you use and how well you use them Task 1 Question Types In task 1, there are three different question types. However, you will receive only one type when you take the IELTS: • Graphs and Charts: in this type you will see a series of numerical features where the main purpose is to identify the trend (rising, falling) as well as to establish comparisons when relevant (the highest, lowest etc.) • Processes: in this type you will be presented with a sequence of stages or the process of how something works.
You will need to identify the steps and functionality of the diagram. • Maps: this is a rather newer type, in which you are commonly given two maps which show the same place with a series of different features. Another possibility is to receive one map where you are asked to compare two different locations for a certain purpose. High Scoring Task 1 Sample Answers Sample Answer – (Graph) Question: Answer: The graph represents the number of songs in millions downloaded from the internet between the years 2011 to 2014.
The graph compares the number of downloads between Australia, Chile and Canada over this period. The graph shows a general upward trend for all countries which signifies that songs are being downloaded in increasing numbers. It is also observed that there are no years where any country had a drop in downloaded songs. In the year 2011, Chile had the lowest number of song downloads with an approximate number of 55 million.
In contrast, by the year 2014, Chile’s downloads are the highest of all countries with an approximate number of 105 million. One the other hand, during the same period, Australia and Canada’s downloads increase more steadily over time. Another important note is that Australia and Chile experienced a year where there was no increase; the year 2012 and the year 2013 respectively. To summarize, this graph shows a clear indication that song downloading from the internet is an increasing trend.
However, even though there is an upward trend the percentage increase is not uniform and varies between countries. Sample Answer – (Map) Question: Answer: The map illustrates two possible sites where a playground will be built in the town of Renmark. The local council is looking to build the playground at one of the two sites. It is evident that the two locations are relatively close to each other and also both are on High Street.
Both sites are also positioned in the northern section of the map. It is observed that the X2 site is in the vicinity of vegetation and the map shows two trees adjacent to it. On the other hand X1 is located on a corner and there appears to be no trees or vegetation close to this site. X2 has a pathway adjacent to it which would allow easier access to this site as opposed to X1 where the only access is via High Street or Alley Street.
Even though both sites are located on High Street, their positions and adjacent features make them different as proposed locations for a playground. Sample Answer – (Process) Question: Answer: The diagram illustrates the engineering process undertaken for providing a solution to a problem. The process represents a clear step by step approach with each step clearly defined. The process is divided into 7 stages, however does include a step which retracts back to a previous stage if the solution is only partially solved or not at all.
The first part of the diagram is the defining of the problem, which then moves on to the defining of the requirements. Once this stage is complete, the possible solutions are brainstormed and analysed, which then transitions to the develop specification stage. Once the solution is developed, it is then tested. At this point the problem can either be defined as solved, partially solved or not at all.
If the solution is solved, it is presented to the client, however if it is partially solved, the brainstorm and analysis stage must be undertaken again. The process shows a clear staged approach to engineering problem solving. There is one point in the process where the following stage can go two ways and this is based on whether the solution solves the problem or not. Task 2 Writing - Academic What Is Task 2? In Task 2 of the Academic format, you are requested to write an opinion-based essay regarding a perspective, argument or problem.
You need to write this essay in an academic manner in at least 250 words. Suggested Answer Structure You should structure your answer in at least four different paragraphs: 1. Introduction: This paragraph should present the topic of the question as well as the writer’s position or guideline of what the essay will discuss. Body Paragraph 1: This paragraph should describe the first point/reason or view in discussion.
A successful paragraph consists of a Topic Sentence, explanation and examples. Body Paragraph 2: This paragraph should describe the second point/reason or view in discussion. The structure should be the same as body paragraph 1. Conclusion: This paragraph should restate the writer’s position and also summarize the main points discussed in the essay.
Scoring Criteria You will be assessed according to the following criteria: • Task Response: How well, thoroughly and directly you answer the question by providing enough evidence and support. • Coherence and cohesion: How well you sequence, connect, and organize ideas • Lexical Resource: The variety of vocabulary you use • Grammatical range and accuracy: The variety of structures you use and how well you use them Task 2 Question Types In task 2, there are three possible question types. You will receive one these in the IELTS exam. ARGUMENT This question type usually presents two points of view of the same issue or requests to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a system or approach.
There are two cases in the Argument question type: Case 1) Two opposite views. In this case, you are asked to describe rather objectively why the two different views are supported by dissimilar groups of people. Usually you are then asked to give your opinion or choose one of the two viewpoints. The most important aspect of this question, is that both positions need to be discussed.
Taking just one stand is not an option. Example: “Some people believe that animal testing is a necessary part of medical and cosmetic research. While others think animal testing should be banned. What position do you believe is more correct?” Case 2) Advantages and disadvantages of a system.
In this case, you are asked to discuss the pros and cons of something. Alternatively, you may be asked to describe only the advantages of two systems or even outweigh the advantages and disadvantages of an idea. Similar to the previous case, the most important aspect of this question, is that both perspectives need to be discussed. Taking just one stand is not an option.
Example: “Modern food preparation and packaging technologies have allowed the creation of ready-to-eat meals. These have become extremely popular and supermarket aisles have been filled with this type of foods. What are the advantages and disadvantages of consuming these foods?