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IELTS WRITING

WRITING TASK 1WRITING TASK 2

WRITING TASK 1

Task 1 is a description. There are three types: you may be asked to describe aprocess, an object or a set of data, which may be a graph, a chart or a set offigures in a table.

Process: With a process you must describe how something works or how it is madeor used. The example on solar radiation asks you to describe a process (how it isused to provide hot water and lighting). For this you must focus on the stages in theprocess.

Object: With an object or set of objects you must describe what something is orwhat it does. For this you must focus on the relationship between parts.

Data: With data you must describe changes, differences or trends.. Focus onwhat these are and why.

Look at the task 1 titles below and practise analysing the topic and question tobe answered. Do not worry about any diagrams or tables that go with the tasks atthis stage.

1. Describe how solar radiation can be utilised to provide domestic hot water andlighting.

2. Describe the inner four planets of the solar system.

3. Describe the life cycle of the beetle using the information given.

4. Write a brief report on unemployment in the United Kingdom 1988-91 as shown.

5. Describe the pattern and trends of tourist arrivals in Cyprus between 1977 and1988.

Then you must select your material. Here are the diagrams for the titles above. Write notes , choosing material which is relevant to the question to complete thedescription.

When you have a list of relevant items, you need to organise them. Group yournotes under main headings (although these headings are to help you organise - youwill not use them in your answer) and put them in a logical order. For a process thismeans starting at the beginning and following the stages of the process through tothe end. In the case of an object it is best to start with a general description andthen focus on specific features. With a set of data, you would generally describe theoverall trend and then look at specific features. However you choose to do it, it isimportant to get your ideas organised so you can write clearly.

There are many ways to show the reader how you have organised your ideas:

divide your answer into paragraphs, with one paragraph for each of the mainheadings in your noteswithin each paragraph, write clear sentences, with one sentence for each itemin your notes, use linking words and expressions; show the order of eventswith time expressions (first, next etc) and the relationship between parts withcomparatives and superlatives (the larger section, the most important partetc)and with prepositional phrases (next to, linking these, etc.).it is important to begin and end clearly, as well as giving clear examples tosupport your ideas for task two or to give relevant figures for task one.take care with your punctuation, which is another way of organising yourwriting clearly.

Then - and only then - are you ready to write!

Remember, for task 1, take a maximum of 20 minutes and make sure youwrite a minimum of 150 words.

Click here for sample writing tasks and answers.

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Exams - British Council - LearnEnglish - Professionals http://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-exams-ielts-writing-1.htm

2 of 2 02/05/2013 01:48