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IELTSAcademic Writing Paper

English Language CentreThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University


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Test Format and Tasks

Format and Tasks Strategies and Examples

Further Help References Questions


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Test Format

Test Formato Writing Module lasts 60 minutes.o Two tasks:-

Task 1 20 minutes, 150 words.

Task 2 40 minutes, 250 words. Words are counted by the examiners, so dont write too many

or too few words. Tip - learn how many words you usually write on a line, and

how many lines = 150 and 250 words, so you dont waste timecounting words in the test.


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Test Format and Tasks - Answers

Answerso Must be written on the answer sheet.o Must be written in full.o

Notes are not acceptable as answers.o Notes may be made on the question paper,but cannot be taken from the test room.


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Test Format and Tasks Task 1

Task 1: (20 minutes, 150 words)o Interpret a diagram or table, and present the

information in your own words. Organise, present and possibly compare data

e.g. money people spend on different forms of entertainment. Describe stages of a procedure or process

e.g. the stages of human evolution. Describe on object or event or series of events

e.g. How the water cycle works. Explain how something works

e.g. How a car engine works.


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Task 2 (40 minutes, 250 words)o presented with a point of view or argument or

problem. Present and justify an opinion

e.g. Do you think trial by jury should be used in all criminal cases? Compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications

e.g. How effective is it to reward good work with extra money? Evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument

e.g. Failure shows desire wasnt strong enough. To what extent doyou agree?


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Test Format and Tasks:Assessment Criteria

General Points You must respond appropriately in terms of:

Register formality and politeness; e.g. no shortforms

Organisation clear and logical Style academic; e.g. no rhetorical questions, no

exclamations, no extreme opinions, use tentativeexpressions such as this appears to be this isprobably due to

Content relevant and complete


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Test Format and Tasks - Topics

Example Task Topics:

Recommended Materials in CILLo

Issues in English CD-ROMo Time, Newsweek and The Economist magazines

(also on the Internet)


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Considerations for Task 1 include:o Task Fulfillment answering the question

completelyo

Coherence e.g. Firstly, Secondly, Finallyo Cohesion e.g. this, it, he, and, but andsynonyms

o Vocabulary good range, appropriateo Sentence Structure concise but not

simplistic; e.g. correct use of relative clauses.


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Example of Task 1

You shouldspend about20 minutes on

this task.

The graphbelow showsthe different

modes oftransport usedto travel to andfrom work inone European

city in 1950,1970 and

Academic Writing - Writing Task 1

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown.You should write at least 150 words.


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xamp e o as

With a partner:

Identify the maintrends for eachmode.

Identify any largeincreases ordecreases.

Are there anyclear andconsistentdirections?

Does anythingseem surprising?

Are there anyclear relationshipsbetween modes orpercentages?

Academic Writing - Writing Task 1


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Possible Answer for Task 1Full Answer

The graph shows the percentage of travellers in a European city who usedbus, car, bike and foot to commute to and from work in the years 1950, 1970and 1990.The amount of people using cars grew considerably, rising from just over 5%in 1950 to 25% in 1970, and then climbing to almost 40% by 1990.However, the amount of people using bikes decreased. Over 25% of

commuters cycled in 1950, but this had fallen to less than 10% by 1990.Similarly, the amount of people who walked to work fell from more than a thirdin 1950 to about 10% in 1990.The amount of people using buses initially rose in 1970 to about 30%, but haddropped to about 17% by 1990.The graph indicates the growing use of cars for commuting and the

corresponding fall in the popularity of other modes of transport since 1950.


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Possible Answer for Task 1 -Introduction

Answer:The graph shows thepercentage of travellers

in a European city whoused bus, car, bike andfoot to commute to andfrom work in the years1950, 1970 and 1990.

Instructions:

The graph belowshows the differentmodes of transportused to travel toand from work inone European cityin 1950, 1970 and1990.


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Possible Answer for Task 1 - Cars

Answer:The amount ofpeople usingcars grew

considerably,rising from justover 5% in 1950to 25% in 1970,and then

climbing toalmost 40% by1990.


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Possible Answer for Task 1 Bikesand Walkers

Answer:However, theamount ofpeople using

bikes decreased.Over 25% ofcommuterscycled in 1950,

but this hadfallen to lessthan 10% by1990. Similarly,the amount of people who walked to work fell frommore than a third in 1950 to about 10% in 1990.


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Possible Answer for Task 1 - Buses

Answer:The amountof people

using busesinitially rose in1970 to about30%, but had

dropped toabout 17% by1990.


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Possible Answer for Task 1Conclusion

Answer:The graphindicates thegrowing use of

cars forcommuting andthecorresponding

fall in thepopularity ofother modes oftransport since

1950.


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Task 2 is assessed on:o Quality of Arguments logical, well-consideredo Ideas and Evidence support your pointso Communicative Qualityo Vocabulary and Sentence Structure


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Example of Task 2

Read the question carefully and read it several times.Decide what the focus of the task is?The first sentence is sometimes backgroundinformation, the focus of the essay and the questioncome after. For example:

Some businesses now say that no one can smokecigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments havebanned smoking in all public places.This is a good idea but it takes away some of ourfreedom.Do you agree or disagree?

Decide what the task requires you do.


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Strategies - Organisation

Organisation After you have produced your ideas, you need

to organise them. Do not produce a list of ideas without

development. Decide on the key ideas. How many ideas can

you cover in 150 or 250 words? Select some supporting points for each key

idea in your list. Think about your own experience do you have

any further points to add.


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Strategies Content

Respond to each point mentioned in thetask.

o Your answer must be complete.o Make sure you do not:

misunderstand the question;e.g. smoking in Government offices

write about something not required in the question;e.g. banning smoking completely

answer only half of the topic;e.g. you write about is it a good idea, but dontwrite about freedom.


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Strategies - Planning

Allow some time to think about the question.o note down clear and relevant ideaso make a brief plan of the organisation and content of your answer.

For example: Intro smoking in businesses & Govt. - good idea, freedom? Smoking in businesses

Good idea?Smokers may work better if they can smoke

Passive smoking objections from other staff Takes away freedom? Businesses have the right to limit staff activities

Govt. limitations on smoking in public places Good idea?

Costs to society - Passive smoking, litter, health careBenefits to society tax revenue, pleasure of smokers

Pressure groups smokers, tobacco companies, sponsors Takes away freedom?Govt. has the right to regulate citizens activitiesWill citizens support regulation?

Conclusion


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Strategies Content - Introduction

The Introduction

Important: gives first impression. A few sentences.

Introduce the topic. Preface the main points. Define what you understand by the task Show how you intend to approach the task.


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Strategies Introduction - Example

Limitations on smoking in businesses and publicplaces are a controversial topic as, although theymay be a good idea, they may also interfere withpeoples freedom. Non-smokers are likely to think

that banning smoking is a good idea, but smokersnaturally may not. Different cultures may havevarying attitudes to whether businesses orgovernments have the right to ban smoking in

certain places.


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Strategies Body - Example

Banning smoking in businesses may not be a good idea becausesmokers may work better if they can smoke. However, passive smokingcan cause objections from colleagues.

Although such bans may reduce freedom, businesses are widely seenas having the right to regulate staff activities.Governments may also ban smoking in public. This may be a good idea

due to the costs to society of smoking such as litter and health care.However, smoking in public may also benefit society, for example in taxrevenue and the pleasure of smokers. Also, pressure groups such astobacco companies may discourage limitations on smoking.

As for freedom, in many cultures the government has the right toregulate citizens activities. It is also increasingly possible that citizens

would support such bans.


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Strategies Content - Conclusion

The Conclusion

Important: Opportunity to leave a good

impression.A few sentences. Summarises your key ideas and your main

ideas.

If appropriate, a final decision, statement,or recommendation.


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Strategies Conclusion - Example

As a non-smoker I believe that limitingsmoking in workplaces and in public is agood idea. I can also understand the opinionof smokers that banning smoking in suchplaces limits their freedom. If the effects ofsmoking were limited to smokers I would

oppose bans, but as smoking affects thehealth of others, I support them.


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Further Help - WAP

WAP Writing Assistance ProgrammeCore A 3/F

o One-to-one help from an ELC teacher with

your writingo WAP teachers will give you suggestions for

improving your writing. They will not proof-read.

o More information athttp://elc.polyu.edu.hk/wap/
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/wap/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/wap/


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Further Help - CILL

CILL Centre for IndependentLanguage Learning Core A 3/F

o Help from an ELC teacher with your writing,

reading, speaking and listeningo CILL teachers can give you suggestions for

improving your writing. They will not proof-read

o More information athttp://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/ielts/
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/ielts/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/ielts/


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References

You can find these books in CILL, RoomAG305:

Cambridge Practice Tests for the

IELTS, Books 1, 2 & 3 (with CD-ROMfor listening tests)

Insight into IELTS - an IELTSpreparation course

Presenting Facts and Figures Great Essays


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Useful websites

UGC Introductory sitehttp://www.ugccepa.com

IELTS homepagehttp://www.ielts.org/index.htm

ELC homepage http://elc.polyu.edu.hk
http://www.ugccepa.com/http://www.ielts.org/index.htmhttp://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://www.ielts.org/index.htmhttp://www.ugccepa.com/


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Questions

Please do not ask us (or any ELCteacher) to predict what grade you willget, as such prediction is forbidden by

the IELTS organisation. Please do not ask about test dates and

venues, as these are not organised bythe ELC.
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/


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Task 2 - writing

1. At present, the young often display their affection in public places. What is your opinion?1. Many students do not finish school. Why is this and how can the problem be solved?2. Should rich countries help the poorer ones?3. Should smoking be banned completely?4. Should dangerous sports such as boxing or motor-racing be banned?5. Should parents pay if their children end up in trouble with the law?6. Should parents use corporal punishment to discipline children?7. Should governments spend money on art, when they have so many other important issues and

concerns?

8. What are the problems of living with a roommate in college? Is it better than living alone?9. When should people be made to retire? 55? 65? Should there be a compulsory retirement age?10. Are women are better parents than men?11. Should children be taught sex education in schools?12. Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss.13. The youth should cohabit before marriage.14. Family planning shouldnt impose the birth rate to the intellectual.15. What are five things that cause pollution? What can be done to eliminate pollution?16. A young couple should divorce as early as possible if they do not get a long with each other.
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