IELTS Academic Writing Test

The IELTS Academic Writing task is one of the important sections for scoring high on the exam. In the writing task, you are required to complete two tasks in 60 minutes, with task 1 taking almost 20 minutes.

It assesses the candidate's ability to present and organise ideas coherently and effectively and their command of English grammar and vocabulary.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 typically involves interpreting visual information, such as graphs, charts, diagrams, etc., for which you must write at least 150 words.

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, questions will be asked from the following -

Let’s check the related topics for each type of question.

The IELTS Writing Task 1 on the Academic Test has 3 main steps –

Below is the sample answer to IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

Sample Answer -

The line chart illustrates the number of inquiries sent to the Tourist Information Office in a particular city via three means of communication between January and June in 2011.

It is clear that visitors to the city made more inquiries in person and via telephone, while written letters and emails became the least common choices. Additionally, the number of enquiries in person experienced the most dramatic change among the different options.

In January, the Tourist Information Office received 900 telephone enquiries, while just under 800 letters and emails were received. Not many tourists chose to ask for information in person, with just over 400 queries. Over the next three months, the telephone still remained the most popular method of enquiry, with approximately 1000 queries.

Meanwhile, the number of enquiries made in person saw considerable growth to 800, surpassing the figures for emails and postal enquiries. From March to June, in-person enquiries were the most common method of inquiry. By June, the number of in-person enquiries had soared by more than 1,000 to a peak of 1,900. During this period, there was also a significant rise in the figure for telephone enquiries, from 1000 to 1600. By contrast, fewer people sent emails or letters to make enquiries, with slightly less than 400 enquiries in May and June.

Scoring high in IELTS Writing Task 1 requires careful planning and effective strategies. Here are some tips to help you achieve success in task 1.

Below is the band score standard for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

Here are the tips that you should know to improve your English for IELTS Writing Task 1.

Familiarise Yourself with Task 1 Requirements - Understand the specific requirements of IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, including the types of visual data you may encounter (graphs, charts, diagrams) and the objectives of the task.

Expand Your Vocabulary - Build a strong vocabulary related to describing trends, comparisons, and data interpretation. Learn synonyms for common words and phrases to avoid repetition in your writing.

Practice Describing Visual Data - Regularly practice describing graphs, charts, and diagrams in English. Analyse sample visual data and write descriptions of the key features, trends, and relationships you observe.

Study with Sample Responses - Review Sample responses to IELTS Writing Task 1 to understand how to structure your writing and convey information effectively. Pay attention to the introduction, overview, and main body paragraphs in sample answers.

Stick to Plain English - Keep your language simple and straightforward. Avoid using overly complex or technical terms that may confuse the reviewer.

Use Synonyms - Enhance your vocabulary by incorporating synonyms for common words and phrases. This will add variety to your writing and demonstrate your language proficiency.

Include Units of Measurement - When describing data, be sure to include units of measurement (e.g., percentages, kilograms, litres) to provide context and clarity.

Highlight Obvious Contrasts or Similarities - Identify and emphasise significant differences or similarities in the data you are describing. This will help guide the reader's understanding of the information presented.

Focus on Sentence Structure and Grammar - Practice writing clear, grammatically correct sentences. Pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, tense usage, and punctuation to ensure clarity and coherence in your writing.

Use Linking Words and Phrases - Learn and practice using linking words and trendy phrases to connect ideas and create cohesion in your writing. Transition words such as "however," "moreover," and "on the other hand" can help improve the flow of your sentences.

Develop Time Management Skills - Practice completing IELTS Writing Task 1 within the allotted time frame (approximately 20 minutes). Learn to plan your response quickly, outline key points, and allocate time for writing, reviewing, and editing your work.

Seek Feedback - Share your writing with teachers, tutors, or language partners and ask for feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. Consider joining writing groups or online forums to exchange ideas and receive constructive criticism.

Practice Regularly - Set aside dedicated time daily to practice writing tasks similar to IELTS Writing Task 1. The more you practice, the more confident and proficient you will become in describing visual data and presenting information effectively.

Stay Motivated and Persistent - Improving your English writing skills takes time and effort, so stay motivated and persistent in your practice.

Below, you will find the significant differences between IELTS General Writing Task 1 and IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

We hope you now understand IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. Let’s now understand IELTS Academic Writing Task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 plays a crucial role in the IELTS Exam. By performing well in task 2, you can get a good band score in writing and overall. In this task, you must write an essay responding to a specific question or prompt.

Moreover, IELTS Writing Task 2 assesses the candidate's ability to present and support an argument, express ideas coherently, and use appropriate language and vocabulary. You are expected to write at least 250 words in 40 minutes.

Below, you will find the topics on which you can expect the task 2 topic.

To evaluate IELTS Writing Task 2, four primary factors are used, which are as follows –

Each of these factors has an equal weight in the final result. To optimise their success, you must comprehend these requirements.

Task Response - In IELTS Writing Task 2, your essay must address the topic or question directly. For instance, if the question asks about the advantages and disadvantages of technology, make sure your response discusses these points and doesn't turn into unrelated topics. Staying focused and addressing all aspects of the prompt is essential for a good Task Response score.

Lexical Resource - Your choice of words and vocabulary usage are crucial in IELTS Writing Task 2. Aim to demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary and avoid repeating the same words or phrases. Instead of using basic terms, try to incorporate more advanced vocabulary relevant to the topic. This shows your ability to express ideas effectively and adds depth to your writing.

Coherence and Cohesion - Coherence refers to your essay's logical flow and organisation, while cohesion deals with how well your ideas are connected through transitions and linking words. To achieve a high score, ensure your essay has a clear structure, well-developed paragraphs, and smooth transitions between ideas. Each paragraph should focus on one central point, and cohesive devices such as 'furthermore,' 'however,' and 'in conclusion' can help guide the reader through your essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy - Grammar plays a significant role in the Task 2 assessment. Make sure to use a variety of sentence structures, including simple, compound, and complex sentences. Additionally, pay attention to subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, and proper punctuation. Minimise grammatical errors to demonstrate your language proficiency and enhance the clarity of your writing.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task and write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer -

Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this opinion because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on the Earth’s climate.

There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to prevent or at least mitigate climate change. Governments could introduce laws to limit the carbon dioxide emissions that lead to global warming. They could impose “green taxes” on drivers, airline companies and other polluters, and they could invest in renewable energy production from solar, wind or water power. As individuals, we should also try to limit our contribution to climate change by becoming more energy efficient, by flying less, and by using bicycles and public transport. Furthermore, the public can affect the actions of governments by voting for politicians who propose to tackle climate change rather than for those who would prefer to ignore it.

If, instead of taking the above measures, we simply try to live with climate change, I believe that the consequences will be disastrous. To give just one example, I am not optimistic that we would be able to cope with even a small rise in sea levels. Millions of people would be displaced by flooding, particularly in countries that do not have the means to safeguard low-lying areas. These people would lose their homes and their jobs, and they would be forced to migrate to nearby cities or perhaps to other countries. The potential for human suffering would be huge, and it is likely that we would see outbreaks of disease and famine, as well as increased homelessness and poverty.

In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate change, and I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with it.

Majorly the essay topics are divided into 5 types of essays, which are given below.

Let’s check how to plan your essay for different types of essays.

Majorly the essay topics are divided into 5 types of essays, which are given below.

Let’s check how to plan your essay for different types of essays.

Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2 requires practice, strategy, and familiarity with the evaluation criteria. Here are some tips to help you write a good essay for IELTS Writing Task 2.

Understand the Task - Read the essay prompt carefully and ensure you understand what is being asked. Identify the main topic, the specific question or instruction, and any requirements for your response.

Plan Your Essay - Before you start writing, Take a few minutes to brainstorm ideas and outline your essay. Organise your thoughts logically and decide on the main points you want to address in each paragraph

Follow the Essay Structure - Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should introduce the topic and present your thesis statement or main argument. Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea supported by evidence or examples. The conclusion should summarise your main points and restate your thesis.

Use Formal Language - Write in a formal and academic style appropriate for the IELTS exam. Avoid slang, contractions, and overly informal language. Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures to demonstrate your language proficiency.

Provide Examples and Evidence - Support your arguments with relevant examples, facts, statistics, or personal experiences. This will strengthen your arguments and make your essay more persuasive.

Manage Your Time - Allocate your time wisely during the exam to ensure you have enough time to plan, write, and revise your essay. Aim to spend about 20 minutes planning and 40 minutes writing.

Practice Writing Essays - Practice writing essays on a variety of topics to improve your writing skills and familiarise yourself with different question types. Review sample essays and analyse how they are structured and supported with evidence.

Proofread Your Essay - Before submitting your essay task, Take some time to review and edit it. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and coherence and cohesion. Ensure your ideas flow logically and your essay is well-organized.

Below, you will find the major differences between IELTS General Writing Task 2 and IELTS Academic Writing Task 2.

When preparing for the IELTS Writing Task, it's crucial to practice with high-quality resources to improve your skills and familiarise yourself with the exam format. One excellent source of practice materials for the IELTS Writing Task is PrepareIELTSExam (PIE).

PrepareIELTSExam (PIE) offers a wide range of practice resources specifically tailored to help candidates enhance their writing skills for the IELTS exam. These resources include the following –