IELTS Writing assessment and tips

______ words in _______ minutes

150 20

250 40

minimum length is 150 words.
2) Did they answer all the questions required?
A graph or image description must have an overview (a summary without details) and the analysis of key trends, supported with evidence. If a candidate didn’t mention all bullet points or missed some important features, they will not get more than 5 for Task Achievement.
3) Did they use correct tone?
Academic style = formal
4) Does the writing for Task 1 reach its purpose?
This is a report => no opinions.
5) Is there any irrelevant information?
Each sentence in Part 1 must serve its purpose. Students often feel the temptation to add extra details, which is not wise because they can lose the focus. Letters with irrelevant details can’t score more than 6.

overview and body. Unlike an essay, it doesn’t need a conclusion.
2) Is there a variety of cohesive devices?
A candidate must use different cohesive markers: lexical sets, pronouns, conjunctions, articles and possessive adjectives. At the same time, it is important to use them wisely: over-use or under-use will lower the band (a candidate won’t score more than 6 with slight over-use or under-use, and won’t get more than 5 with a wrong choice or over-use).
3) Are paragraphs adequate?
A graph analysis must be divided into paragraphs. Paragraphs need to follow the approach “one idea-one paragraph”. Separate paragraphs should be used for introduction, overview and body.

task, which is wrong. They need to paraphrase: use synonyms or other parts of speech. Variety of lexis is the key to get a higher band – a candidate needs “a sufficient range of vocabulary” to score 7.
2) Is there less common vocabulary?
All language learners have “passive” and “active” vocabulary. A variety of less common lexical items will increase the band score, e.g. “prices plummeted” instead of “prices fell” in a graph analysis.
3) Are there mistakes in collocation or word choice?
If a candidate makes only a few collocation mistakes, they can still score 7 for lexical resource. If they produce more errors, that will lower the mark to 6, or even 5.
4) Are all the words spelled and formed correctly?
Examiners will analyse both the quantity and the quality of spelling mistakes. Are mistakes frequent? Do they impede the reader’s understanding? If the errors do not distort the meaning, a candidate can still get 6. If examiners can’t understand what was meant, a candidate will not score more than 5.

knowledge of grammar using not only simple sentences, but different types of complex sentences (with relative pronouns that, who, because, where, which, when, if etc.). It may be wise to use Passive Voice (but not over-use), Conditional sentences, Modals, Complex Object, Inversion, Participial constructions.
2) Are there many grammar mistakes?
Same as with lexis, the quantity and the quality of grammar errors matter. Task 1 with few mistakes that do not affect understanding can still score 7 or even 8. Frequent mistakes that impede communication will lower the mark to 5 or less. Punctuation is a part of grammar, so a student needs to revise it while preparing.

combinations)
Process Diagrams (manmade/natural; linear/cyclical)
Maps (city/building)