(Answers from last time: I. innovative, irrelevant, laboratory, literally, illogical, material, media, minimum, noticeable, percentage, persuade, postgraduate, postpone, preference, process, programme; II. 1. d, 2. c, 3. d, 4. d, 5 b)

Dear student,

1275249_study_tableToday we shall discuss the WRITING portion of the IELTS exam. As you know, you can opt for either Academic Writing or General Training Writing.

With respect to Academic Writing, the test consists of two tasks. My advice is to spend 20 minutes on task 1 (you have to write about 150 words) and 40 minutes on Task 2 (you have to write about 250 words).

Task 1 requires you to look at a diagram or some data (graph, table, chart) and to present the information in your own words. You are assessed on the ability to organise, present and possibly compare data, stages of the process, describe an object or event or explain how something works.

In Task 2 you are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. You are assessed on your ability to come up with a solution to the problem, present, justify an opinion, compare/contrast evidence and opinions, evaluate/challenge ideas. You are also marked if you use an appropriate style.

With respect to General Training Writing, the test consists of two tasks. In Task 1 you are asked to respond to a given situation with a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. You are assessed on your ability to provide factual information, express needs, opinions, complaints. In Task 2 you are presented with a point of view, argument, problem. You will be assessed on your ability to evaluate/challenge ideas.

Here is a sample task for the General Training Writing:

Task 1

You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However, there are many problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to work.

Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In the letter,

• describe the situation

• explain your problems and why it is difficult to work

• say what kind of accommodation you would prefer

 

Source: https://www.ielts.org/pdf/115029_General_Training_Writing_sample_task_-_Task_1.pdf

Here is a sample task for the General Training Writing:

Task 2

Write about the following topic:

In Britain, when someone gets old they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the government has to pay for this care.

Who do you think should pay for this care, the government or the family? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Source: https://www.ielts.org/pdf/115030_General_Training_Writing_sample_task_-_Task_2.pdf

So, till nex time, here is an exercise to prepare you for the Writing portion of the exam:

Add linking and sequencing words from the box below:

In most countries of the world the population is increasing alarmingly. This is especially true in poor, undeveloped countries. Overpopulation causes a considerable number of problems.

In poor countries it is difficult to provide enough food to feed even the present number of people. (1) ………. , education to limit the number of children per family is not always successful. Poorer countries usually have a lot of unemployment (2) ……….. , (3) …….. an increase in population simply makes the situation worse. The environment (4) ……… suffers when there are too many people living on the land.

In rich, industrialised and developing countries it is very difficult for governments to provide effective public services in overcrowded cities. (5) …….. , there is usually a great deal more crime, which is often due to high rates of unemployment. Further large increases in population only cause more overcrowding, unemployment and crime.

There are two main solutions to the overpopulation problem. (6) ………… , every woman who is pregnant but who does not want to give birth should be allowed by law to have an abortion. (7) ……… , governments must educate people to limit the size of the family. In China, couples are penalised financially if they have more than one child. This may seem cruel, (8) ……… the „one-child policy” is beginning to have an effect in the world’s most populous nation. (9) ……… , similar policies might 10) ………. be necessary in other crowded nations, such as India (11) ……… .

(12) ……… , if the population explosion continues, many more people will die of starvation in poor countries, (13) ………. life in the cities, even in affluent nations, will become increasingly difficult.

and (x2)   too    eventually   in addition    moreover   to sum up   secondly   also (x2)   firstly   but   for example

(Source: https://www.t1t.net/researches/english/4.pdf)

Autor: Alexandru Macovescu – Trainer intern A_BEST Limba Engleză, Italiană şi Limba Română pentru Străini

Alexandru este absolvent al Facultăţii de Limbi şi Literaturi Străine, specializarea Engleză-Italiană. În 2010, a absolvit un masterat specializat în Traducerea Textului Literar Contemporan. Alexandru are o bogată experienţă atât în predarea limbilor engleză şi italiană cât şi în traduceri şi interpretariat şi exerciţiu în utilizarea, în contexte diferite, a limbilor străine. În prezent, Alexandru predă inclusiv cursuri A_BEST de limba engleză şi italiană, limbaj general şi de afaceri, precum şi cursuri de limba română pentru străini, în cadrul companiilor.