IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Writing Syllabus

Academic Writing syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Academic Writing in IELTS (International English Language Testing System), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Task 1: Describing Visual Data

   5 topics

   • Interpreting graphs, charts, tables and diagrams
     • Line graphs and trends over time
     • Bar charts and column comparisons
     • Pie charts and proportions
     • Tables, multiple charts and combined data
   • Describing processes and life cycles
   • Describing maps and changes over time
   • Selecting and grouping key features for an overview
   • Meeting the 150-word minimum in about 20 minutes
2. 2

   Task 1: Language of Data Description

   4 topics

   • Vocabulary for trends: rise, fall, fluctuate, plateau
   • Language of comparison and degree of change
   • Approximation and precise figure reporting
   • Passive voice for process descriptions
3. 3

   Task 2: The Argumentative Essay

   5 topics

   • Common essay question types
     • Opinion (agree/disagree) essays
     • Discussion (discuss both views) essays
     • Advantages and disadvantages essays
     • Problem and solution and two-part questions
   • Analyzing the prompt and identifying the task focus
   • Thesis statements and clear position-taking
   • Developing paragraphs with reasons and examples
   • Meeting the 250-word minimum in about 40 minutes
4. 4

   Assessment Criteria

   4 topics

   • Task Achievement (Task 1) and Task Response (Task 2)
   • Coherence and Cohesion: paragraphing and linking
   • Lexical Resource: range, accuracy and collocation
   • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: structures and errors
5. 5

   Writing Process and Common Pitfalls

   4 topics

   • Planning and outlining under time pressure
   • Avoiding memorized templates and off-topic content
   • Editing for grammar, spelling and punctuation
   • Managing word count and formal academic tone

Academic Writing flashcards for IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

19 of 50 cards from the Academic Writing deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, what is the minimum word count and the recommended time to spend on it?

   At least 150 words, completed in about 20 minutes.

2. In IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, what is the minimum word count and recommended time?

   At least 250 words, completed in about 40 minutes.

3. Why is Task 2 worth managing time for first or weighting more heavily than Task 1?

   Task 2 carries roughly twice the marks of Task 1 in the overall Writing score, so it deserves more time and effort.

4. What happens to your score if your Task 1 or Task 2 response is under the word minimum?

   You receive a penalty for under-length writing, lowering the Task Achievement/Task Response score.

5. What is the single most important sentence to include in a Task 1 (graph/chart) report, and what must it do?

   The 'overview' sentence, which summarizes the main trends or key features without listing specific data.

6. When describing a line graph showing data over time, which verb tense is typically required?

   Past tenses when dates are in the past; future forms for projected dates; present for general/timeless data.

7. Name the four common visual types you may be asked to describe in IELTS Task 1.

   Graphs (line/bar), charts (pie/column), tables, and diagrams (processes or maps).

8. What does 'selecting and grouping key features' mean for a Task 1 overview?

   Identifying the most significant trends/differences and grouping similar data together rather than describing every single number.

9. For a Task 1 chart, what should you NOT include in the overview?

   Specific figures or data values; the overview states only the general patterns or main features.

10. Give two verbs meaning a gradual upward movement and two meaning a sharp upward movement in trend vocabulary.

    Gradual rise: increase, climb, edge up; sharp rise: surge, soar, rocket.

11. Give two verbs meaning a downward movement and two meaning a sharp decline.

    Downward: fall, decrease, decline, drop; sharp decline: plummet, plunge, slump.

12. In trend vocabulary, what does 'fluctuate' mean?

    To rise and fall irregularly/repeatedly without a steady direction.

13. In trend vocabulary, what does 'plateau' mean?

    To level off and remain steady/stable after a previous change.

14. What does it mean for a figure to 'peak' versus to reach a 'trough' or 'low point'?

    To peak is to reach the highest point; a trough/low point is the lowest point on the graph.

15. Convert the verb 'to increase' into a noun phrase describing a trend, with an example.

    'An increase' — e.g., 'There was a sharp increase in sales' (noun form uses adjective + noun instead of verb + adverb).

16. How do you describe degree of change using adjective+noun versus verb+adverb? Give one matched pair.

    Verb+adverb: 'rose sharply'; equivalent adjective+noun: 'a sharp rise.'

17. List three adjectives describing a large degree of change and three describing a small degree of change.

    Large: sharp, dramatic, significant, substantial; small: slight, marginal, gradual, modest.

18. What is the difference between 'approximation' and 'precise figure reporting', and give an approximation phrase.

    Approximation rounds/estimates a value (e.g., 'just over', 'roughly', 'approximately', 'nearly'); precise reporting states the exact number.

19. Give three language-of-comparison structures for comparing two values in Task 1.

    Comparatives ('higher than'), 'twice/three times as many as', and 'compared with/in contrast to'.

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