Developing Writing Skills for IELTS

A Research-Based Approach

Sin Wang Chong, Xuejun Ye

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780367258399
• eBook ISBN: 9781000317626
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

An essential companion for IELTS writing instructors and students, Developing Writing Skills for IELTS provides IELTS test-takers with the necessary skills to succeed in the two academic writing tasks in IELTS.

Adopting an original exemplar-based writing instructional approach, this text offers an in-depth and reader-friendly analysis of the assessment standards of the two academic writing tasks in IELTS. Authentic exemplars written by EFL university students are included to illustrate high (Bands 8–9), average (Bands 6–7), and low (Bands 4–5) performances in IELTS writing.

Key Features:

• Diagrammatical representation of assessment standards of the two academic writing tasks by experienced IELTS writing examiners and instructors.

• 100 writing questions modelled after the IELTS format, designed by the authors, and categorised according to question types and topics that emerge from an analysis of over 400 IELTS writing questions.

• Over 100 writing exemplars by EFL university students, accompanied by guided activities and suggested answers.

Designed as a classroom text, a resource for workshops and consultations, or a self-study material, Developing Writing Skills for IELTS: A Research-based Approach will support IELTS writing instructors and test-takers with a variety of writing proficiencies.

Part I

1Introduction to IELTS and IELTS Writing

What is IELTS?

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, managed by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), the British Council, and the Australian International Development Programme (IDP), is designed to measure the language proficiency of candidates who need entry to study or work in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries.

What are the Two IELTS Test Types?

The IELTS test consists of two forms: the Academic test (or module) and the General Training test (or module). Test-takers choose the module according to the purpose of taking the test. Generally speaking, people take the Academic module in order to satisfy the language entrance requirement of academic programmes offered by post-secondary institutions and universities which use English as the medium of instruction or fulfil the professional requirements in their workplace. For people who expect to join professional associations in nursing, medicine, law, or engineering, they may also be required to take this academic version of IELTS to become a member of a professional body in an English-speaking country. However, for people who aspire to enrol in vocational courses, secondary schools or, for immigration purposes, these individuals are required to take the General Training module. The government authorities of English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, often demand and accept an IELTS score of the General Training certificate to prove the language competence of the applicants.

Diverse levels of English are required by different bodies such as governments, tertiary education institutions, and companies around the globe, depending on their specific objectives. Candidates can get a score between 1 and 9. Half scores such as 5.5 can be given. University applicants often need an IELTS score of 6 or above to guarantee a successful admission to a tertiary programme. Some university programmes may also require a minimum score in each of the four parts, especially in speaking and writing. It is therefore very significant to make full preparations before taking the Academic IELTS exam. The IELTS test scores of both Academic and General Training modules are valid for two years from the day the results are released to the candidates.

What are the Four Parts of an IELTS Test?

The IELTS test (both Academic and General Training modules) is divided into four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The Academic and General Training modules have both similarities and differences: the format and content of listening and speaking tests are precisely the same but the reading and writing tests are different. The total test time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Test-takers need to complete Listening, Reading, and Writing on one day, while they can choose to take the Speaking test on the same day or a few days before or after the other tests. For detailed information regarding IELTS test format, you can refer to the official IELTS website: https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/test-format.

What is the Academic Writing Test?

The Academic Writing test, which comprises two separate tasks, is 60 minutes long in total. Candidates are expected to write at least 150 words for Task 1 within around 20 minutes and at least 250 words for Task 2 within about 40 minutes. In IELTS Academic Task 1, candidates are normally asked to employ their own words to describe stages of a process, describe and explain data, describe a mechanism (e.g., a manufacturing process), or write about an object or event, according to the materials presented. In IELTS Academic Task 2, test-takers are usually required to discuss a point of view, an argument or a problem. Candidates may sometimes be asked to give solutions to a problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast opinions, and evaluate arguments depending on the question type.

Introduction to IELTS Rubrics

The IELTS writing rubrics for Academic module Tasks 1 and 2 are made...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Support Material
• Acknowledgements
• Part I
• Part II
• Index