IELTS Tips and Tricks - Mastering the Writing Task

Everyone's biggest problem with Writing Task isparagraph), and begin it with the words, "In conclusion,..."
finishing both tasks on time. What no one tells you isThen rewrite the summary. If you can, change a word
that if you don't finish either one, you lost a whole bandor two (but not the meaning). If not, just write it exactly
point. This never has to happen to you!the way you did at the end of the Introduction.
The key to making sure that you report and essay4)In Writing Task 2, if 38 minutes have passed and
qualify as finished is that they have a clear Conclusionyou're still writing Body Paragraph sentences, finish the
paragraph. That paragraph can be one sentence long,sentence you're writing, quickly. Then, start a new
if necessary. And the best news of all is, you haveparagraph (and make sure it looks like a new
already written that sentence!paragraph), and begin it with the words, "In conclusion,..."
At the end of the Introduction (paragraph 1) of theThen rewrite the Thesis Statement. (This needs to be
Writing Task 1 report, you have written a summary ofdone in any case. It is an essential part of the essay.)
the information. In the same position - at the end of the5)Ideally, in Writing Task 2, you should write the
first paragraph - in Writing Task 2, you have writtenRestatement in reverse order of the Thesis
your Thesis Statement. Simply be repeating both ofStatement. For example, if it is an opinion essay, and
those sentences at the beginning of a Conclusionyou wrote your opinion and three reasons in the
paragraph, you have made your writing qualify asThesis Statement, write the three reasons first, and
finished - even if there is more you wanted to write.then the opinion, in the Restatement. Again, if you have
And you don't lose a whole band point needlessly.time and can, change a word or two (but not the
Here's what you do:meaning). If not, just write it exactly the way you did at
1)Make sure you do write a good summary in Writingthe end of the Introduction.
Task 1 and a good Thesis Statement in Writing Task6)Make sure you finish these "In conclusion,..."
2. (Your report and essay won't work without themsentences on time. The task ends at exactly 60
anyway.)minutes.
2)Watch your watch! No one is going to keep you onObviously, this will not save you any lost points if all
track as far as elapsed time is concerned. It's up toyou have is a few sentences and your essay is far
you to monitor your own progress.too short in the first place. But if you have written most
3)In Writing Task 1, if 18 minutes have passed andof the essay, and followed the format, it's essential
you're still writing Body Paragraph sentences, finish thethat you not lost a whole band point just because it
sentence you're writing, quickly. Then, start a newisn't finished. So make it look finished!
paragraph (and make sure it looks like a new