Dr. Lin Lougheed Comprehensive guide to completing both IELTS writing tasks Easy 1-2-3 approach to writing the perfect essay Writing practice to build your confidence Step-by-step system for revising your writing ® IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia, w�ich neither sponsor nor endorse this book. BARRON'S Writing for the Dr. Lin Lougheed Teachers College Columbia University ®IELTS is a registered trademark of University of cam bridge ESOL, the British Council, and IOP Education Australia, which neither sponsor nor endorse this product. © Copyright 201 6 Lin Lougheed All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner. All inquiries should be addressed to: Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 25 0 Wireless Boulevard Hauppauge, NewYork 11788 www.barronseduc.com Library of Congress Control Number: 2016934837 ISBN: 978-1-4380-0765-6 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 9 87 6 5 4 321 CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 What Is IEL TS? ..................................................................................................................................1 How to Use This Book ....................................................................................................................1 IEL TS Writing Scores ..................................................................................................................... 2 Tips ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 1 Task Achievement/Task Response ................................................................................5 Academic Writing Task 1: Charts, Graphs, Tables ............................................................5 Step 1: Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Address the Task ........................................................................................................................ 6 Determine the Topic ................................................................................................................. 9 Make Notes About Comparisons ........................................................................................ 12 Make Notes About Details ..................................................................................................... 15 Step 2: Write ................................................................................................................................... 19 Write the Introduction ............................................................................................................ 19 Write the Paragraphs ............................................................................................................. 26 Write the Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 32 Step 3: Revise ................................................................................................................................. 33 Use the Revision Checklist ................................................................................................... 33 Academic Writing Task 1: Process Diagrams ................................................................... 47 Step 1: Plan ......................................................................................................................................47 Address the Task...................................................................................................................... 47 Determine the Topic ...............................................................................................................50 Make Notes About Details .................................................................................................... 52 Step 2: Write .................................................................................................................................. 56 Write the Introduction ........................................................................................................... 56 Write the Body of the Essay................................................................................................. 61 Step 3: Revise ................................................................................................................................ 67 Use the Revision Checklist ................................................................................................... 67 General Training Writing Task 1: Letter .............................................................................80 Step l: Plan ......................................................................................................................................80 Address the Task......................................................................................................................80 Determine the Topic ............................................................................................................... 83 Make Notes About Main Ideas ............................................................................................ 84 Make Notes About Details .................................................................................................... 89 Step 2: Write .................................................................................................................................. 93 Write the Greeting ................................................................................................................... 93 CONTENTS Iii Write the Introduction ........................................................................................................... 95 Write the Paragraphs ............................................................................................................ 101 Write the Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 103 Write the Signature ............................................................................................................... 106 Step 3: Revise .............................................................................................................................. 107 Use the Revision Checklist ................................................................................................. 107 Academic/General Training Writing Task 2: Personal Opinion ............................... 121 Step 1: Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 121 Address the Task ......................................................................................................................121 Write a Thesis Statement..................................................................................................... 122 Make Notes About Main Ideas and Supporting Details ........................................... 128 Step 2: Write .................................................................................................................................136 Write the Introduction ..........................................................................................................136 Write the Paragraphs .............................................................................................................141 Write the Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 144 Step 3: Revise .............................................................................................................................. 148 Use the Revision Checklist ................................................................................................. 148 2 Coherence and Coheslon....................................................................................................161 Paragraphing ..................................................................................................................................161 Pronouns ........................................................................................................................................ 164 Transition Words and Phrases .............................................................................................. 166 3 Lexical Resource ......................................................................................................................181 Word Families ................................................................................................................................181 Synonyms ....................................................................................................................................... 187 Spelling ............................................................................................................................................189 4 Grammatical Range and Accuracy .............................................................................195 Articles .............................................................................................................................................195 Subject-Verb Agreement .........................................................................................................197 Real Future Conditionals ........................................................................................................ 200 Unreal Conditionals ................................................................................................................... 201 Adjective Clauses with Subject Relative Pronouns ..................................................... 203 Adjective Clauses with Object Relative Pronouns ....................................................... 205 Active and Passive Voice ....................................................................................................... 207 Parallel Structure ....................................................................................................................... 209 Sentence Types ............................................................................................................................ 213 Punctuation ....................................................................................................................................218 Appendlx ......................................................................................................................................221 More Writing Practice ............................................................................................................... 221 Academic Writing Task 1 ......................................................................................................... 222 General Training Writing Task 1............................................................................................ 232 Academic/General Training Writing Task 2 ....................................................................242 Answers .......................................................................................................................................... 252 Iv WRITING FOR THE IELTS Introduction WHAT IS IELTS? IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is an English language proficiency exam that tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. There are over 1,000 test centers in more than 140 countries around the world. Over 9,000 organizations, including universities, government agencies, and private companies, accept IELTS test scores. There are two versions of the test-Academic and General Training. The Academic version is for students who want to pursue a university education in an English-speaking country. The General Training test is for people who need to demonstrate English language proficiency for work, training programs, secondary education, or immigration to certain countries. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK This book will help you prepare for the writing section of the IELTS test whether you are planning to take the Academic or the General Training version. Both versions of the test include a writing section with two tasks. The organization of this book follows the criteria IELTS examiners use to score your writing. If you study everything in this book, you will score well. • Task Achievement/Task Response • Coherence and Cohesion • Lexical Resource • Grammatical Range and Accuracy In the Task Achievement/Task Response chapter, you will learn to follow a three-step model for creating an essay: (s$'t�11;1:, Plan fstt,;�,i2,) Write GJS1,P 35') Revise You will learn how to apply this model to each of the IELTS writing tasks. Study the sections of this chapter that focus on the version of the test that you plan to take-Academic or General Training. Each section leads you step by step through the process of writing an essay in response to that particular task. Therefore, you should work your way through each section from beginning to end. As you study a section, you will become familiar with the types of questions you will have to respond to on the IELTS. You will also learn to complete your responses within the time limits of the test. INTRODUCTION 1 When you respond to the IELTS writing tasks, you must write clearly, coherently, and correctly. The next three chapters of this book will help you do that. They will help you develop skills you will need for both the Academic and General Training versions of the test. In the Coherence and Cohesion chapter, you will practice organizing your writing and connecting your ideas. In the Lexical Resource chapter, you will learn how to develop your vocabulary and use it.correctly. In the Grammatical Range and Accuracy chapter, you will review grammar rules and practice applying them to your writing. You can work through these chapters in order. Or, you can focus first on the parts that address your weakest areas. Then, you can use the rest for review and practice. In the Appendix you will find a More Writing Practice section with a selection of essays written in response to IELTS writing tasks. You can study the essays as models of good writing. You can also use this section for further practice by writing your own responses to the tasks included in the section. IELTS WRITING SCORES Scores for the IELTS writing tasks are reported in a scale of bands, ranging from Band O to Band 9. Each band represents a level of ability. Scores are based on the following criteria. TASK ACHIEVEMENT (TASK 1): To achieve a high score, you must write a well-developed report that completely addresses all parts of the task. TASK RESPONSE (TASK 2): To achieve a high score, you must address all parts of the task in a well-developed essay that presents a clear position supported with relevant ideas. COHERENCE AND COHESION: To achieve a high score, your ideas and information must follow a logical organization (coherence), and you must use a range of cohesive devices skillfully. LEXICAL RESOURCE: To achieve a high score, you must use a wide range of vocabulary fluently with few errors. GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY: To achieve a high score, you must use a wide range of grammatical structures fluently and accurately with few errors. For a complete description of the writing task bands, visit the IELTS website: http://www. ielts.orglresearcherslscore_processing_and_reporting.aspx#Writing 2 WRITING FOR THE IELTS TIPS Before the test • Practice writing within time limits. You can use the tasks in the More Writing Practice section of the Appendix for practice. Give yourself 20 minutes to complete a Task 1 response and 40 minutes to complete a Task 2 response. • Become familiar with word count. On the IELTS, you will write your essays by hand. You will have to write a minimum of 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2, but you won't be able to take the time to count your words. As you practice writing essays at home, count your words. You will become familiar with what 150 words and 250 words look like in your handwriting. • To prepare for Academic Task 1, take some time to study a variety of graphs, charts, and tables. You can find many on the Internet. Practice reading them and interpreting the information. During the test • Read the task carefully and make sure you understand exactly what it asks you to do. • Do not copy complete sentences from the task. Paraphrase and use synonyms. You will learn how to do this in Chapters 1 and 3. • Write in complete sentences. You can make notes in abbreviated form when you plan, but your finished essay must have complete sentences and paragraphs. • Vary your sentences. Use sentence structures that you know you can use correctly, but do not write the same type of sentence over and over. In Chapter 4, you will get practice with different sentence types. • Learn and use the three-step model presented in this book-plan, write, revise. It will help you write a complete and organized response to both tasks. Following a model will give you confidence. INTRODUCTION 3 Task Achievement/ Task Response ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1: CHARTS, GRAPHS, TABLES TIME You will have 60 minutes to complete the writing part of the test. You should allow 20 minutes for Task 1. Divide your time as follows: Total time ( STEP 1) (STEP 2) (STEP 3) 20 minutes Plan Write Revise 5 minutes 12 minutes 3 minutes LENGTH You must write at least 150 words. You can write more. TIPS • Use only the information provided in the task. Do not include outside information or your own opinion. • Ask yourself questions to focus on the task: - What is this graphic about? - Which are the most important details? SCORE To receive a good score • address all parts of the task • accurately summarize the information • make meaningful comparisons • end with a brief overview of the information • use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation • write in complete sentences • use your own words; do not copy exact sentences from the task TASK ACHIEVEMENT/TASK RESPONSE 5 1