IELTS GENERAL WRITING IMPORTANT TIPS & HIGH SCORING SAMPLE ANSQWERS! (Written By An IELTS Teacher) By Daniella Moyla Copyright 2014 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: 9781311169297 ***** Table of Contents Why You Should Read This Book Task 1 Writing – General Training What Is Task 1? Suggested Answer Structure Scoring Criteria Task 1 Question Types High Scoring Task 1 Sample Answers Sample Answer – (Formal) Sample Answer – (Semi-formal) Sample Answer – (Informal) Task 2 Writing – General Training 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 – General Training What Is Task 1? In Task 1 of the General Training format, you are requested to write a letter of complaint, explanation or request. The content of the letter will be provided by the question which will suggest the level of formality to use.
Typically, each question will have three bullet points you must refer to in your letter. You need to write this letter in at least 150 words. Suggested Answer Structure You should structure your answer in the following way: 1. Salutation: The way you start you letter depending on how well you know the person you are writing to.
Example: ”Dear Sir/Madam” 2. Introductory paragraph: In this paragraph you need to clearly state the purpose of your letter and introduce yourself if the content requires it. Description paragraph: This can be one or more paragraphs where you describe the details of your letter according to the bullet points in the question. Closing paragraph: In this paragraph you need to state what you expect the recipient of your letter to do.
Sign-off: Short phrase to end your letter and final salutation. Example: “I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, XXX” 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: • Formal: in this case you are writing a letter to person you don’t know.
The opening of these letters will always be “Dear Sir/Madam” and the ending “Yours faithfully” • Semi-formal: in this case you are writing a letter to a person you have met or know of. However, you do not have a close relationship with. The opening of these letters will always be “Dear Mr XXX(surname)” and the ending “Yours sincerely” • Informal: in this case you are writing a letter to a person you know well either because they are friends, relatives, colleagues or classmates and you have a closer relationship with. The opening of these letters will always be “Dear XXX(first name)” and the ending “Best wishes/regards” High Scoring Task 1 Sample Answers Sample Answer – (Formal) Question: Answer: Dear Sir/Madam, My name is Min Hui, I am currently studying Academic English intermediate level at your school.
I am writing this letter to request information about the available courses I am able to take in order to continue my studies at this school since mine will be finished next month. Firstly, I would like know more about the Advanced Academic English course in comparison to the Advanced Business English course for I am unsure as to which course I should take next. I have thoroughly enjoyed my current course given that I have greatly improved my writing skills by learning specific academic rules. Nevertheless, I am also interested in Business English because I am hoping to get a job as soon as I finish my studies here.
I would like to receive detailed information regarding the scope for both courses. I would also like to know when I have to make my final decision in order to enrol in my next course before the inscriptions close. It is my understanding that courses need to have a minimum number of students for these classes to be offered. What is the likelihood of these two courses being offered next term? I very much appreciate your assistance in this matter.
I look forward to your reply at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely, Min Hui Sample Answer – (Semi-formal) Question: Answer: Dear Mr White, I’m the tenant of unit 3/12 Union St and I have been renting your property for the last seven months. I’m writing this letter to inform you that due to work reasons I will have to break our lease contract before the set date of expiry. As you know, I work for an Australian company with offices countrywide.
I have just been promoted to Office Senior Manager for our branch in Brisbane and I start this new position next month. I am very sorry I’m letting you know of this situation with such short notice, but this news has taken me and family by surprise as well. I fully understand that it is my obligation to find another tenant before we move out and with your permission, I will start advertising the apartment tomorrow. I will pay for the cost of advertising and if we haven’t found someone to take over our lease before we move out, then we will keep paying the rent until a new tenant is found.
I hope you understand our situation and I thank you in advance for your comprehension. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours sincerely, John Parker Sample Answer – (Informal) Question: Answer: Dear Sarah, I have no words to express my gratitude for your kind offer to cover for me at work next Friday. I wasn’t expecting my friend to ask me to be her marriage witness as I didn’t expect the wedding to be held on a working day.
You have really saved me! As you know, I was supposed to have a presentation for a client on Monday. It’s very simple, I’m sure you are familiar with them since you’ve previously handled other accounts at the same company, Barkers and Co. The presentation is really the most important activity I had scheduled for that day. So if you can go to their office in the city and do it for me, I would really appreciate it.
I’ve created a PowerPoint document with all the information as well as a folder for every participant of this meeting. We can go through it together on Thursday so you can ask me questions in case you had any. Again, thank you so much for doing this. I will be happy to do the same for you if you ever need it.
In the meantime, let me treat you to lunch on Monday so you can tell me how the meeting went. You are the best! I’ll see you at work. Best regards, Task 2 Writing – General Training What Is Task 2? In Task 2 of the General Training 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.