What to Expect from IELTS Writing Module

When preparing for IELTS, Academic or General Training is wise to consider if you want to experience what you will encounter during the test. Exposing yourself to real writing experience could make you experience the feel of it.

Let us see how the Writing task is constructed:

General Training Version – IELTS GT module should be completed in one hour. There are two tasks in which the candidate has to write 150 to 250 words each.

·         In Task 1, you will be asked to write a letter. You will be given a situation together with the details that need to be included in the letter that you are going to write. In some cases the candidates will only have to complete the letter by filling the blanks with words (which you will be chosen from a word pool) or prepositions. (It doesn’t mean that this setup is easier than writing a complete letter).

·         In Task 2 you will be composing an essay about a certain topic. (This also goes for the Task 2 of Academic Version and is discussed in details below.

Academic Version – the duration of the academic writing task version is also 60 minutes. The candidate also needs to complete two writing tasks.

·         In Writing Task 1 you will be handed with a particular graph (it can be a bar, pie or line graph), a chart or a table or process. This task is to extract information with you have been given and interpret it using at least 150 words. The task tests your ability to discern the main features and report it. Your ability describe and compare data will also be assessed.

·         The EILTS Writing Task 2 requires not less than 250 words. The candidate needs to formulate and develop a position relative to a given prompt, which could be a statement or a question. The candidates’ ideas must be backed up by evidences and/or examples which may come from his or her experience. In this task, the candidate decides whether to agree or disagree completely with the given statement. He may also choose to partly agree or disagree with it or express no definite opinion.

The candidate may choose one of the following approaches:

1. Express your position in the beginning of the essay and then provide your justification with your agreements. You can do this especially if you have a strong feeling about the statement.

2. Have the arguments in the introduction and then express your thoughts in the conclusion. This is suitable if you have a weak opinion about the statement but able to provide arguments on either side.

                More or less this is how the Writing Task of IELTS looks like. You can check some online IELTS learning samples of writing tasks or IELTS books to learn more.

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Importance of Practice for the IELTS Writing Test

Why Practice for the IELTS Writing TestIf you will take an IELTS test then you would need to practice the 4 categories to be tested namely writing, reading, speaking and listening. Among the 4 categories, writing is the toughest and you would need to invest your time, effort and at times money so that you will be able to pass in the big day.

Why Practice?

There’s a quote that says “Constant Practice Makes a Man Perfect”. Well, I don’t believe that practice would make us become perfect but it would surely make us near to perfection. If we have constant practice, then you will be able to boost our confidence towards achieving what we are preparing for.

In writing for IELTS, practice can really boost your confidence and it would condition your brain and mood to think and respond to the task which will be given to you.

How to Practice?

If you want to become adept in writing then write. Keep writing and you’ll be able to get there. However, you don’t just write but you would need to read as well because you will never have something to write if you don’t know what to write. Read… Write… Read… Write… so on. It does not end there but it should continue and it should not stop. Professional writers do this that’s why they are getting better each day.

You Also Need Help

You can ask for somebody to help you improve your writing. You can sign up for some online IELTS learning programs, buy IELTS books, or learn from free resources which you can find on the internet. There are a lot of free and paid resources out there which you can find with just a few clicks of your computer’s mouse.

You can also go to an IELTS review center. This might be costly but it is worth your investment. However, if you have only a limited budget then you might want to go for the internet resources.

People find writing as a tough test in the IELTS examination however if you keep practicing then you will be able to make it to the top. There is no hard thing if you prepare for it. If you aim higher then you will surely need to practice.

Are you aiming high for your IELTS examination day? If you say yes, then start practicing now. Need help? Look for somebody, a book or an online learning program that can help you now.

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Guide for IELTS Writing

When preparing for your IELTS writing test, you should try to check out some useful resources you could use. There are a lot of them that you can find online in the convenience of your own home. You may think that writing is just an easy task, but that is definitely not the case. In fact, there are some who will refer to someone whom they think can be a great coach just to improve in this skill.

Here are some tips and suggestions that can act as your guide for the big day:

- Before starting to write your essay, be sure that you understand its fundamental structure. Some IELTS book can aid you in this aspect.

- If you have a hard time dealing with the first task, then proceed to task 2 as it will gain you more points and it is also easier to solve. Always consider that you are taking a time pressured exam. So, make use of your time wisely.

- Another reminder that you must consider is to make sure that you will be able to complete all the tasks assigned to you as if you cannot do them, then you will be penalized.

- To help you beat the time on the final day, practice doing it with some online IELTS training before the big day. For you to get used writing with a limited time.

- As the saying says practice makes perfect, in this aspect, this is definitely true, though you need someone to check your work and get another opinion.

- If you want to be an effective writer, then make sure to have a wide knowledge of the vocabulary. Purchase a dictionary of your own or you can avail the online dictionary. You can also try checking out some sites that can provide you with online IELTS learning programs. For sure you will not have a hard time finding them; some of them are even free.

- Before starting your essay, check out the instruction and make sure you will follow it to the letter or your efforts will just be wasted.

- Lastly, give yourself time to breath before the big day. Attempting to review in the last minute is never a wise idea. Refresh your mind from all those days of practicing. Instead, make sure that you will be fully rested for you to have the strength and stamina for the next day.

Those are just some of the many guides or tips on how to pass the IELTS reading test however they are proven and tested to make you make it to the big day.

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Top 5 Free Websites to Practice your IELTS Writing Skills

For those who are about to take the IELTS writing test, you are just so fortunate that there are now a number of websites to practice your writing skills for free. So, if you are contemplating of relocating to a place where English is the first language, then these free websites will be very useful for you. Aside from these sites, you can at the same time try checking out some online IELTS tips and suggestions. Another option that can also be worth trying is the IELTS books and the Online IELTS Learning programs. You will never be too ready especially if it meant to have a big impact of your future. And as practice makes perfect, then take the time to check these free sites out:

The Guide 4 IELTS – this site is one of the most used sites if you want to better yourself relating to IELTS. Anything that concerns the subject mentioned can be accessed here like when it comes to grammar, the benefits of IELTS, vocabulary, and some tips concerning the 4 categories of IELTS. Though if you already have the IELTS book which can be bought online, then this site can just serve as assistance.

The Good Luck IELTS – in this site, you will be prepared for the big day where you will take the actual IELTS exam. You will also be able to avail of free IELTS videos to provide you of some online IELTS tips and suggestions.

The CANADA VISA – this is another site that could greatly assist you in preparing yourself to get through the IELTS exam. Just like an online IELTS training, here you will be provided with practice exams, and sample IELTS test. This is great especially if you are planning to relocate in Canada.

The IELTS Exams – another IELTS training site that will help you to get better results for the big day. In this site, you will be provided with sample exams for the four categories of the IELTS exam. Like for instance, if you will click the reading category, and then you will be redirected to a page with some tips and a sample test about the particular category.

The IELTS For Free – this powerful free website will provide you with just anything you need to prepare for the IELTS exam. Every category of the exam is explained here in details. The good thing about this site is you can avail of the Academic module as well as the general module as it can be navigated separately. You just have to create an account though to access all the IELTS materials.

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5 Useful Tips for Writing Better IELTS Essays

If you are aiming to get a high score in your IELTS exam then you would want to be adept in all the skills to be tested such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In this article, you will read 5 useful and practical tips for writing better IELTS Essays that will make you grab that high score. So let’s get started.

·         Read, Write, Read, Write

Before you take your IELTS exam, you have to make sure that you practice everything especially writing since it is found to be the hardest category for lots of people who are taking this test.

Reading could make you become exposed to new or difficult words and if they are already registered in your brain, you will be able to use them when writing. There are a lot of reading materials that you could use for as long as they are written in English.

Do not just read but practice writing. At first, it would be hard but as time passes by, everything will become fluid and smooth for you.

·         Go for Examples Because They are Easier than Explanation

Only a few are talented at explaining things and within that small number, only a few can explain things without using examples. For your IELTS essay, go for the examples and you’ll be fine.

·         Create a mind map before you start writing

Think about an end to your writing. What do you want to tell the people? What’s your aim of writing? It’s like creating a game plan and when writing you have to stick with it.

·         Focus on the backbone of your essay

Focus on the basic parts of the essay (e.g. Introduction, body and conclusion). Introduce your answer to the question given, expand your idea, and conclude it. With this, you will never go astray in writing.

·         Be Specific

Focus on the main idea to the question provided so that your essay would be effective and readable. Most people tend to write essays which are very general and their work become boring. If you become specific with what you write then it would become more personalized and interesting.

Those are the top 5 tips that would surely boost your writing capability for your upcoming IELTS. 

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