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IELTS Format - WRITING MODULE |
2 tasks
1 hour
Task 1 - Graph description - 150+ words (20 minutes)
Task 2 - Essay - 250+ words (40 minutes)
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For further information on the contents of the Writing
module, go to the CityU ELC IELTS site:
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For other IELTS information, go to our HKBU
SALL Resources on the Web IELTS page (go to Examination
Information & Study Tips). |
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In the examination: |
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- Timing is a potential problem. You need to allow yourself
only 20 minutes for the Task 1 Graph Description so that
you will have enough time for the Task 2 Essay. (The Task
2 Essay is worth more than Task 1.)
- Remember to leave at least 5 minutes at the end to proofread your writing. That will help you avoid making
careless mistakes which could cost you valuable marks.
- The Task 1 Graph Description is a very specialized format
and type of writing. You need to be familiar with the
format and the specific vocabulary required for this task.
- For Task 2, make sure you understand exactly what the
question is asking you to discuss before you start writing
- otherwise you could lose valuable marks for content.
- You must also take note of the word limits. If you are
under the word limit, you could be severely penalized.
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- Do a lot of timed practices before you sit the exam,
so that you do not run out of time when you are in the
exam.
- When you do a practice writing task, count the words
afterwards to make sure you have written enough. After
a while you will become familiar with approximately how
much of the paper you need to cover with your handwriting
at a certain size, in order to fulfil the word limit requirements.
- Know your major grammatical weaknesses. Make yourself
a mental list, and practise proofreading your own essays
for these grammar points. You can use the HKBU Writing
Enhancement Service. If you are not sure what these
are, then try proofreading for these six common errors
amongst Chinese students (read once through for each point,
rather than trying to read for all six at once):
- Singular / plural nouns
- Subject-verb agreement
- Active / passive voice
- Articles
- Present / past verb tenses
- Wrong parts of speech
- For Task 1, spend time learning and practising the
specific vocabulary and format needed. There are two
sites on the
SALL Resources on the Web IELTS page that are especially
helpful for this Task:
- 'Describing Graphs, Charts and Tables'
- 'IELTS Test Preparation'
- Make sure you familiarize yourself with the different
types of essay questions that could be used in an IELTS
Task 2 essay, and how to structure each different type
of essay. The CityU
ELC - Prepare IELTS site has an excellent "How
to Prepare" booklet on writing.
- To improve your vocabulary, focus on learning synonyms
for key words. You will get a greater mark if you utilise
a greater variety of language and if you can avoid re-using
the same words. For further vocabulary, learning, go to
our
SALL Resources on the Web Vocabulary page.
- Also spend time learning and practising using linking
words and expressions - this helps with the coherence
of your essay.
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| HKBU
IELTS Writing Resources - Writing Task 1 (Data Report) |
Vocabulary for Task 1:
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Study Skills Success (Visuals
module - start at Describing a line graph)
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IELTS Test Preparation
(go to Enter IELTS Area then Graphs)
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Describing Graphs, Charts and Tables
For extra practice:
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Road to IELTS (select any
topic and go to Writing 1 or Writing)
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Study Skills Success (Visuals
module)
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Writing about Graphs and Charts
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For extra practice:
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| HKBU
IELTS Writing Resources - Writing Task 2 (Essay) |
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For extra practice:
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For extra practice:
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| HKBU
IELTS Writing Resources - Grammar |
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SALL Resources on the Web - Grammar
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Common Errors in English (go to
"Common Errors/Proofreading" to find this site. After you've opened the site, go to
"Stage 2: Exercise")
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TenseBuster (choose a level
and grammar point and go to Your Test.
If your test score is low, work through that module.)
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Study Skills Success (Grammar
module)
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TenseBuster (choose a level
and grammar point and go to Your Test.
If your test score is low, work through that module.)
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Virtual Language University
(choose Gymnasium for Grammar for
specific grammar points, or Language Building
for Writing for combining/linking sentences
and proofreading)
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Issues in English 2 (choose
level 3 or 4 and any topic, then choose Grammar)
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| How
long before you plan to sit IELTS? |
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