The marking for all Writing tasks are scored from 0 - 9. The two Writing tasks are then combined and adjusted to give you a weighted score also from 0 – 9 for the entire Writing section.
To simplify the scoring criteria, there are 4 main components that you are measured against.
They are:
• Task Response – Have you actually answered the question fully?
• Coherence and Cohesion – Can the evaluator understand the flow and organisation of your essay and all of your ideas?
• Lexical Resource – Have you used a wide range of vocabulary, which is not repetitive?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Have you used a wide range of grammar structures with accuracy?
Once you have written your letter it is important to go through a check list to make sure you have completed everything required in order to achieve a high score.
Below is a list of questions you can ask yourself:
• Have you identified the type of graphic that is used?
• Have you correctly identified whether the data in the chart relates to past time, the present or the future?
• Have you included all the subjects that are referred to in the diagram?
• Have you included references to the correct units? (e.g.; month, year, km, litres)
• Have you included the extremes shown in the graphic?
• Have you noted the trends?
• Is the answer long enough (150 words)?
• Is there a sense that the report has been planned?
• Are words or phrases taken from the question paraphrased?
• Is the writing easy to follow?
• Are there cohesive devices used?
• Is a wide range of vocabulary used?
• Is a wide range of grammar used?
• Is the language used simple or complex?
Once you have written your essay it is important to review it and check that you have included all of the essential items in your essay.
It is recommended to do a checklist based on your system at the end of your essay.
Answer the following questions by choosing the correct answer A, B or C.
1. How many parts are in the IELTS Academic Writing section?
A 1
B 2
C 3
2. For the entire Writing section, you must write…
A 1 long answer
B 2 short answers
C 1 long and 1 short answer
3. How much time is given for Writing Task 1?
A 20 minutes
B 30 minutes
C 40 minutes
4. How much time is given for Writing Task 2?
A 20 minutes
B 30 minutes
C 40 minutes
5. Which of the following is true?
A Writing Task 1 is worth more marks than Writing Task 2
B Writing Task 2 is worth more marks than Writing Task 1
C Both Task 1 and Task 2 are scored equally
Answers
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. B