IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is a standardized English language proficiency test, accepted in more than 135 countries across the world. People living in countries where English is not the primary language, are encouraged to take English proficiency tests, if they wish to enroll in foreign universities or apply for jobs abroad. There are four modules in IELTS which include listening, reading, writing and speaking sections. The total duration of the test is two hours and forty five minutes out of which, the writing section is of sixty minutes.
Various books are published to help students prepare for IELTS. There is software available for this purpose as well. Such resources not only provide thorough guidance on how to take the test, but also include IELTS writing practice test as well as practice tests for other modules. Writing section is comprised of two tasks. IELTS writing task 1 comprises of 150 words; this is an information transfer task. Graphs, tables or diagrams are given, and the candidate is required to describe the given information. IELTS writing task 1 sample are available on various websites.
IELTS writing tasks are to be completed in an hour. The time should be divided according to the length of the tasks. Task 2 is more important as compared to task 1, and its worth more in the final grading. Four areas are considered while checking your writing tasks these are: task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy. Keep all these things in mind while solving the writing section. Any book or website with preparation material for the IELTS also includes helpful material like IELTS writing examples. The benefit of these examples is that the candidate gets an idea of the type of questions to be attempted in the exam. IELTS writing essays are required to be well structured, and the candidate is asked to provide logical data on a given topic in 250 words.
IELTS writing essay topics are either in the form of an argument, discussion or a report on any given topic. Candidates are expected to present examples and evidence based on personal experience. If you are confused about the pattern refer to the IELTS writing sample answers provided in the preparatory book, or search for answers on the internet.
IELTS writing task 2 requires the candidate to have good writing skills, because one is required to put personal experience into words. Also before taking the test, candidates should do extensive reading on a variety of topics, to increase vocabulary and knowledge which might come in handy during the exam. Practice the samples to manage time, because you have to complete both tasks in the given time, read the instructions carefully. IELTS writing topics are based on general knowledge, they change according to time. Past papers and samples can give you an idea of the type of topics that are included.
IELTS writing task 1 carries lesser marks and candidates are given a diagram, table or diagram and are expected to explain these graphics. To facilitate you IELTS writing samples are available online, and in preparatory books and software. An IELTS writing sample gives you an outlook of the kind of paper you should expect in the writing module. Do lots of IELTS writing practice. Practicing makes your writing more fluid and you learn how to manage time. Otherwise time management becomes a hindrance during the exam. To increase your IELTS writing vocabulary make sure to read lots of books. This will help you in generating ideas quickly during your IELTS writing test.