The IELTS exam has come to be the gold standard for English proficiency tests. This exam has the ability to not only assess an individual’s English skills but also open doors to new ventures and opportunities abroad. Therefore, when attempting the exam it is cardinal to understand the exam and provide the best attempt to achieve a high band score. This blog segregates the writing section of the exam and provides key information on it and the different IELTS essay topics.
IELTS Writing Section Format
A part of the IELTS test includes a writing section and is for a duration of 60 mins. The writing section can be challenging for some as it requires proper articulation of thoughts and opinions in a well-written manner. There are two types of writing sections one is academic and the other one is general and these are segregated as part of the two types of IELTS tests. The writing section involves various IELTS essay topics which are separated into two tasks.
Task 1
In the academic writing section, the candidate is presented with a piece of visual information like a graph, diagram, table, etc. The candidate has to then translate that information into a written format transferring all the important details. The general writing section will require the candidate to write a letter or explain a situation in response to the topic presented. The candidate can allocate 20 mins to this task since the word limit recommend is 150.
Task 2
The second task for general and academic type is the same. Here the candidate will be presented with an argument, debate or problem, they will have to pick a side and express their point of view. This section can be allocated 40 mins as the word limit is 250.
Time allocation to the different tasks is entirely an individual choice but it is very important to manage time effectively in the writing section.
IELTS Essay Topics
The topics provided in the writing section can vary from exam to exam and it is important to not consider the below topics as the primary ones. These topics can be used as a reference and to understand the type of topics presented.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
- In some countries, the government pays for education from primary school to university. Do you think this is a good idea? What are the advantages and disadvantages of free education?
- Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime. Pick a side and present your thoughts.
- Some people think that the internet has brought people closer together, while others believe that it has led to social isolation. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- Space exploration is the word on the streets and countries are pouring a lot of resources into it. What are your thoughts on this? This is beneficial or detrimental to a country.
- In many countries, the amount of rubbish produced by households is increasing. What are the reasons for this, and what can be done to reduce the amount of household waste?
- Some people think that the only way to improve road safety is to increase the minimum age for driving. Others believe that there are other ways to improve road safety. What is your stance on this statement?
How To Prepare For IELTS Writing Section
Any exam requires specific preparation tactics to be in the best mindset for it. Similar is the case with the writing section of IELTS. Below are pointers on how to be ready for the exam.
Researching topics
The writing section will have various IELTS essay topics that the candidate has to write upon. It is good to have a prior understanding of what type of questions might be presented. Besides, if a similar topic is given, then the candidate will have an easier time writing about it.
Understanding the format
This might be the best strategy while tackling IELTS. Knowing how the writing section format is structured will stand as a winning tactic while writing the exam. Moreover, this helps to establish a good time management system which is vital, especially in the writing section of the exam.
Practising
Writing practice essays about general topics is another great way to prepare for the test. This firstly helps in developing speed and ensuring time management, secondly, it helps improve vocabulary and sentence formation.
Feedback
Getting feedback from a teacher, tutor, or someone who has experience with the IELTS essay topic or the writing section, in general, can be incredibly helpful. Their feedback can help in identifying strengths and weaknesses and developing a plan for improvement.
Assessment criteria
Each section of the IELTS exam is assessed as per a set of criteria. Therefore it is paramount to identify the criteria set in place for the writing section. The main four assessment criteria are; Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Things To Keep In Mind When Writing The IELTS Essay Topics
There are certain points or tips to consider when attempting the writing section. Sometimes due to excitement or nervousness, the candidate might fail to follow the information which might lead to a lower band score. Below are some of the things to keep in mind.
Sentence variety
Based on the writing assessment criteria, a candidate must use a wide variety of sentence types in their answers. This will help in gaining a higher score in the writing section. Some of the sentence types that can be used are; simple sentences, complex sentences, if sentences, questions, etc.
Word Limit
Each of the writing tasks has a specific word limit that the candidate has to stick to, it is 150 words for the first task and 250 words for the second task. These word limits are very crucial and going over or under the limit can result in a lower score.
Full answers
The IELTS essay topics will be presented as a question and might have two or more parts to them. The candidate must provide answers to the question fully without being partial and also not write answers that are off-topic.
Picking sides
Some of the topics provided are in the format of a debate or an argument or a problem, they usually have two sides to them. The candidate must be a clear side when writing the answer, it doesn’t matter whether it may be for or against the topic. Producing an opinionated answer is bound to raise the band score.
Proofreading
Once the candidate has finished writing their answers, it is crucial to proofread them. This helps in identifying any mistakes in the answers of the IELTS essay topics like spelling or grammatical errors, it also aids in assessing the word limit. Proofreading is the most undervalued aspect of an exam but can save the misery of a lower band.
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