IELTS Academic Writing: In-Depth Analysis of Question Types
The Writing module of the IELTS Academic writing consists of two tasks.
Task 1- Report/ Summary of some visual information, usually in the form of a graph, chart, or diagram. (150 words)
Task 2- Essay (250 words)
Test format: There are two Writing tasks to be completed.
Time Allocated: 60 minutes.
IELTS Academic test is meant for students who are interested in pursuing their higher education overseas. Hence, it is designed to assess whether a test taker is ready and able to use English as a medium of study.
Task 1: In Task 1, test takers are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in their own words. They need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes. In Task 2, they respond to a point of view or argument or problem. They need to write 250 words in about 40 minutes.
Task type and format: In Writing Task 1, test takers may be asked to describe facts or figures presented in one or more graphs, charts or tables on a related topic; or they may be given a diagram of a machine, a device or a process and asked to explain how it works. They should write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style and include the most important and the most relevant points in the diagram. Some minor points or details may be left out.
Test takers should limit their time on Task 1 to 20 minutes, while ensuring that their response is at least 150 words long. Although writing more than 150 words does not attract penalties, it may reduce the time available for Task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing band score. Test takers should be aware that they may receive penalties for irrelevance or if their response is not in the form of full, connected text. Plagiarism, or copying from other sources, can lead to severe penalties. Responses must be written in the answer booklet provided.
Task focus: This task assesses the ability to identify the most important and relevant information and trends in a graph, chart, table or diagram, and to give a well-organized overview of it using language accurately in an academic style.
No. of questions: 1
Task 2: In Writing Task 2, test takers are given a topic to write about an academic or semi-formal/neutral style. Answers should be a discursive consideration of the relevant issues. Test takers should make sure that they read the task carefully and provide a full and relevant response. For example, if the topic is a particular aspect of computers, they should focus on this aspect in their response. They should not simply write about computers in general.
Test takers should allocate no more than 40 minutes to complete Task 2, while ensuring that their response is at least 250 words long. As Task 2 carries double the weightage of Task 1 in the Writing band score, neglecting it can significantly lower a test taker’s chances of achieving a good band score.
To avoid penalties, test takers must ensure that their response is relevant and in the form of full, connected text, without using bullet points or note form. It is important for test takers to avoid copying from the question paper as it is not assessed. Responses must be written in the provided answer booklet.
Task focus: This task assesses the ability to present a clear, relevant, well-organized argument, giving evidence or examples to support ideas and use language accurately.
No. of questions: 1
IELTS Academic Writing - How is it evaluated
Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.
Task 1 responses are assessed on:
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Task achievement
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Coherence and cohesion
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Lexical resource
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Grammatical range and accuracy.
Task 2 responses are assessed on:
Task response
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy.
Performance descriptors
- Task achievement This assesses how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the response fulfils the requirements set out in the task, using the minimum of 150 words. Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined input and a largely predictable output. It is basically an information-transfer task that relates narrowly to the factual content of an input diagram and not to speculative explanations that lie outside the given data.
- Coherence and cohesion This concern overall clarity and fluency: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.
- Lexical resource This refers to the range of vocabulary used and its accuracy and appropriacy in terms of the specific task.
- Grammatical range and accuracy This refers to the range and accurate use of grammar as manifested in their sentence writing.
- Task response In both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions, Task 2 requires test takers to formulate and develop a position in relation to a given prompt in the form of a question or statement. Ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn from the test takers’ own experience. Responses must be at least 250 words in length.
- Coherence and cohesion Here, the clarity and fluency of a test taker’s response is assessed, including the organization and linking of information, ideas, and language. Coherence, which pertains to the logical sequencing of ideas, and cohesion, which pertains to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (such as logical connectors, pronouns, and conjunctions) to make conceptual and referential relationships clear between and within sentences, are both evaluated.
- Lexical resource This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and its accuracy and appropriacy in terms of the specific task.
- Grammatical range and accuracy The evaluation of grammatical range and accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 focuses on the test taker’s ability to use grammar with precision and variety at the sentence level.