Please, please, just ONE idea!! Time is marching on!

The Prompt(s) 1. You must understand the prompt completely 2. Marks are lost if all parts of the prompt are not answered fully

Task 1 1. If it is a table, chart, graph, look for similarities and differences. 2. Give an overview ( beginning or end of task) 3. Make sure the sentences you write are accurate ( e.g. Japan spends 25%( a quarter =not a half) of its GDP on health services).

Word Count A) If you repeat the wording of the question, the examiner may not include those words in the final word count. B) What this means is that you should not take whole sentences and phrases from the question. C) You can borrow single words: they may well be the right word to use and it would be pointless looking for another word that was not exactly correct, e.g. inflation/ politics

What is counted as a single word 1. Articles( a/an/the) 2. Prepositions( in/on/ at) 3. Numbers ( ten/10/forty-five) 4. Hyphenated words( all-inclusive/ex-wife) 5. Symbols ( &) 6. Abbreviations(couldn’t/doesn’t/it’s) 7. Acronyms ( BBC, USA)

Time Control How many words do you need to write for IELTS? The short answer is 250 for the essay (Task 2) 150 for the Task 1 report. This is essential information because you could lose a whole band score if you do not write enough words.

My Advice on Word Count Task 1 ( 150 w) –Write 160 words Task 2 ( 250 words) – Write 260 words

Watch That Clock

Time is your enemy in IELTS writing Task 1= 20 minutes Task 2 = 40 minutes Whatever you do, don’t waste time counting all the words you have written, there are far more important things to check. You can count the number of words you normally write in a line and then multiply that by the number of lines you have written. So if you normally write 12 words to the line, you need to write 22 lines in your essay.

Practice makes perfect 1. Practice answering prompts as under exam conditions 2. Learn how to mind-outline 3. Be very familiar with writing genres 4. Increase your world knowledge by reading newspapers 5. Examples to support your opinions should be brief ( 1 or 2 lines)

Task 1 (150 words ) 1.Test takers are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram. 2. They are asked to describe, summarize or explain. 3. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process. 4. They are asked to describe how something works or describe an object or event.

Task 1 Rubric 1. Task Achievement (TA) (here marks are deducted if WC is insufficient) 2. Coherence and Cohesion ( CC) 3. Lexical Resource( Vocabulary) 4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (IELTS Public Band Descriptors)

Task Achievement(T1) Band 6 1. Addresses the requirements of the task 2. Presents an overview with information appropriately selected 3. Presents and adequately highlights key features/ bullet points, but some details may be irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate

Coherence and Cohesion( T1) Band 6 1.Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is an overall progression 2. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical 3.May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately

Lexical Resource( T1) Band 6 1. Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task 2. Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy 3.Makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation, but they do not impede communication

Grammatical Range and Accuracy(T1) Band 6 1. Uses a mix of simple and complex forms 2. Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely reduce communication

Task 2( Essay) Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Sample Task 2 Prompt Some people believe that students at high school should be allowed to wear what they want. Others think that students should wear school uniforms. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Advice 1.Read the prompt three times. 2.Cross out ( X) unnecessary words 3. important words 4.Underline the verbs 5.Note down one-word ideas for body paragraphs Circle

Some people believe that students at at high should be allowed to wear what they want. Others think that students should wear school uniforms. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? students at high school uniforms

Write one-word outline Intro –state your position – agree /disagree BP1- Cheaper for parents (cheaper) BP2- No difference between rich and poor students (difference) BP3- Students and school are easily identified (identify)

Helpful tips to remember 1. Analyze the question carefully( but quickly) and plan your answer before starting to write ( 3 minutes) 2. Keep in mind the reader and the purpose when writing 3. Structure your writing logically and clearly 4. Decide on a position and use examples and evidence to support points you make in task 2 5. Be familiar with the assessment criteria

Task 2 Rubric 1. Task Response (TR) ( here marks are deducted if WC is insufficient) 2. Coherence and Cohesion 3. Lexical resource 4. Grammatical range and accuracy

Task Response (T2) Band 6 1. Addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others. 2. Presents a relevant position although the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive 3. Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed/unclear.

Coherence and Cohesion(T2) Band 6 1. Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is an overall progression 2. Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical 3. May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately 4. Uses paragraphing, but not always logically

Tips on Coherence & Cohesion a) Use transition words to link ideas and paragraphs ( study the list) b) Be careful to use them correctly c) Avoid overuse d) Make sure to write paragraphs with topic sentences

Lexical and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (T2) The same criteria as Task 1.

Ask yourself these questions(T2) 1. What form of writing does the writing prompt require? 2. What are the purpose(s) of the writing task? 3.What information do I need to complete the task? 4. What kind of details or arguments does the writing prompt suggest and would these points make good paragraphs?

IELTS Worksheet AK 1. F 2. T 3. Yes 4. F 5. T 6. F 7. T 8. F 9. T. Discuss the prompt with the attendees. The dangers and complexities of the modern world have made the mobile phone an absolute necessity for children. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Intro – General introduction about the popularity of mobile phones these days + state your position BP1 For BP2 Against 1.1 Safety factors 2.1 Unhealthy obsession with mobiles 1.2 Instant communication 2.2 Cause children to be unaware of their surroundings 1.3 Can be tracked through towers 2.3 Texting has replaced conversation 1.4 Parents feel more relaxed 2.4 Kids lack social skills in order to interact Conclusion -Summarize main points and repeat your opinion in different words.

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