EVO e-Book IELTS Writing Task 2
By
Norma Hipperdinger Tanja Debevc Anna Conway
Understanding the Academic Writing test The Academic Writing Test intends to assess a series of writing skills as for example: ●
How well you understood the question.
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How well you organised your ideas.
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How accurately you used vocabulary and grammar. The Academic writing test lasts 60 minutes and you have two tasks to do in that time. It is recommended to use 20’ on task 1 and 40’ on task 2.
TASK 1: In this section you have to write a description of information given in a graph, chart, table, pie or diagram. You should describe and explain data or describe a process and make comparisons where possible. This may be an object, a set of data or a procedure. You have to write a minimum of 150 words. You need to present the description in a clear, logical and appropriate way.
TASK 2: In this section you have to write a clear argument, discussion or report on a given topic. You have to write a minimum of 250 words. The argument has to be presented clearly and logically and you are expected to support your ideas with evidence and examples from your own knowledge and experience. Task 2 carries more marks than task 1.
The IELTS Exam is scored according to a 9Band scale. You will get a score for each section. The average of these 4 marks is you Overall Band Score. Band 9: Expert User Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. Band 8: Very Good User – Has fully operational command of the language with occasionally unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings in unfamiliar situations. Band 7: Good User – Has operational command of the language, with some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand complex language in familiar situations. Band 6: Competent User – Has effective command of the language with some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Band 5: Modest User – Has partial command of the language, handling with overall meaning in most situations. Might make mistakes. Band 4: Limited User Band 3: Extremely Limited User Band 2: Intermittent User Band 1: Non User Band 0: Did not attempt the test
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Analyse the tasks carefully. You will not get marks for irrelevant material, no matter how much you write.
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Control your time. You will be managing your own time, so make sure you move on to task 2 in 20’.
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Paraphrase your introduction, be careful not to copy whole sentences from the question paper. You don’t get marks for copying.
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Your answers must be written on to the exam answer paper.
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You can use a pencil to make notes.
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You are not allowed to use a dictionary.
Writing Task 2 The day of the exam you will receive a statement about an issue where you are required to write an argumentative essay. What is an argumentative essay? It is a piece of well organized writing presenting an argument in support of your opinion. In it you will give the pros and cons of an argumentative issue and try to convince the reader that what you are arguing is worth being discussed. Moreover, you will explain why the reader should care about his point. In your IELTS essay, examiners will look for: ● ● ● ● ● ●
Clearly defined paragraphs. Coherent sentences which link together using linking phrases. A clear thesis that answers the essay straight forward. Real life examples that support the argument. A clear introduction and conclusion. Compliant to length requirements.
Understanding the question Understanding the question is essential in order to write a strong essay. It cannot be a general answer, you have to write a specific answer. There are a couple of steps you should follow to really understand the question and some tools which will help you understand the question.
When writing the question we have the tendency to copy it. However, we can’t. Doing this we will be copying plagiarising what actually is considered an offence. So, paraphrasing is a good way to avoid copying/plagiarism.
Paraphrasing means to express the same in different words. ●
It will help you check your whole understanding of the question.
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It will help you collect useful vocabulary to use in your essay.
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It will help to think you deeply about your question.
Strategies/techniques for paraphrasing: ● Synonyms/Antonyms ● ●
Grammar Phrasal Verbs
e.g.: ** The most difficult language to learn is Japanese Paraphrase: The hardest language to learn is Japanese. Paraphrase: The hardest language to master is Japanese. ● This two paraphrased sentences are still too close to the original one. Japanese is the hardest language to master. (this could be considered a successfully paraphrased sentence. We used synonyms and grammar Word Order.) ** She discarded her used pencil box in the rubbish bin. Paraphrase: She threw away her used pencil box in the rubbish bin. Don’t hesitate to change academic words by simpler ones. e.g: The factory manufactures windscreens. Paraphrase: The factory makes windscreens. (this would be not so successful but at least you are not copying!)
http://handymandanonline.com/Paraphrasingtool.html
Identification of the Topic and Controlling Idea Basically, every statement has a topic and a controlling idea. The topic is the subject of what or who the question is concerned with. It is usually one word, a noun. The controlling idea is everything that is connected to that topic. Example:
This is your Question
Remember to use critical thinking to write your topic
sentence!
Topic Sentence Clarification and listen to an explanation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2nOzN6DllY
http://www3.pef.unilj.si/~tujijeziki/rp/1_letnik/exercises_on_paragraph_writing.pdf
Planning the correct response When planning your response use critical thinking about the topic and controlling idea. The answers to these questions will become the outline of your entire essay! Think of your essay as a sandwich and enjoy planning it!
You always need a good top just to make your reader feel hooked, you have to make them “ahhh!”. So remember to keep in mind your readers. Then write a general idea about the topic. Think for example about the situation, what is happening or happened about the topic (HOOK). Then tell your readers (BACKGROUND) 1st. your understanding of the task. How you define or understand it. Paraphrase the key words you have in your question. 2nd. Why this topic is important or should be discussed. Finally tell them why you are writing this essay (Thesis)
1 TOPIC SENTENCE. You start with the points stated in the thesis. Try to paraphrase the thesis especially the words that are included in it the topic. (this should answer the question WHAT) 2 EXPLANATION this is when you explain what you said in the topic sentence, keeping an eye I the thesis. (support 1 : should answer the question WHY) 3 Examples: Examples will reinforce and clarify what you explained.(support 2: HOW) 4 Conclusion: This is a connecting sentence. You’ll say something to connect with the next paragraph. If you are not writing a second paragraph this instance is not necessary. The second paragraph follows the same structure. To write about any other topic idea you presented in your thesis.
1. Remind the readers of the key points in your essay. 2. Restate the argument. You need to convince your reader that what you are writing is true! Strongly paraphrase the argument made in your essay. 3. Purpose or implication: give a message to the reader why it is important
COHERENCE AND COHESION Remember to make the reader get the feeling of continuity. So making your text coherent and cohesive is very important!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43AlGwz1Aq0
Remember linking words make your text cohesive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpRQSrIj3tE
Remember to use academic vocabulary!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVIn8ukBcs
http://www.ieltsexam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=7&id=15
Sources: http://www.ieltsexam.net/ www.ielts.org