IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Writing Syllabus

Why is the passive voice especially useful when describing a process or life cycle?

It keeps the focus on the steps/actions rather than who performs them (the agent is often unknown or unimportant).

Convert to passive for a process description: 'Workers collect the beans, then they roast them.'

'The beans are collected and then roasted.'

List four sequencing/linking words used to describe stages of a process.

First/firstly, then, next, after that, subsequently, finally/lastly.

When describing a natural life cycle (e.g., a butterfly), what tense and voice are typically used?

Present simple, often active for natural stages (the larva hatches), but passive where an action is done to the subject.

When describing a map showing changes over time, which tenses contrast the two periods?

Past simple for the earlier map and present perfect or past for changes; future forms if a map is a future plan.

Give three verbs/phrases used to describe changes on a map over time.

Was built/constructed, was demolished/knocked down, was replaced by, was converted into, was expanded.

What compass and location language helps describe maps in Task 1?

To the north/south/east/west, in the centre, in the northeast corner, adjacent to, surrounded by.

What are the most common IELTS Task 2 essay question types?

Opinion (agree/disagree), discussion (discuss both views + opinion), advantages/disadvantages, problem/solution (causes & solutions), and two-part (direct) questions.

For an 'agree or disagree' Task 2 prompt, what must your thesis statement do?

State a clear position (fully agree, partly agree, or disagree) that you maintain consistently throughout the essay.

What is the purpose of analyzing the prompt before writing a Task 2 essay?

To identify the exact task focus and all parts of the question so you answer everything asked and stay on topic.

What is a thesis statement in a Task 2 essay and where does it go?

A sentence in the introduction that states your overall position/answer to the question.

What is the recommended paragraph structure for a Task 2 essay?

Introduction, two (or more) body paragraphs each with one main idea, and a conclusion.

What does a strong Task 2 body paragraph contain?

A topic sentence (main idea), explanation/reasons, supporting examples, and a link back to the question.

What is the 'PEEL' approach to developing a body paragraph?

Point, Explanation, Example, Link — state the idea, explain it, give an example, then link to the thesis.

What is the difference between 'Task Achievement' (Task 1) and 'Task Response' (Task 2)?

Task Achievement assesses how fully Task 1 covers/reports the data with an overview; Task Response assesses how fully Task 2 addresses the question with a clear position and developed ideas.

Name the four scoring criteria, each worth 25%, for IELTS Writing.

Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

What does the 'Coherence and Cohesion' criterion assess?

Logical organization, paragraphing, and the use of cohesive devices (linkers, referencing) to connect ideas smoothly.

Give three categories of cohesive devices with one example each.

Addition: moreover; contrast: however; result: therefore (also reference words like 'this/which' and sequencing words).

What does the 'Lexical Resource' criterion assess?

The range, accuracy, and appropriacy of vocabulary, including collocation, word formation, and spelling.

What is a collocation, and why does it matter for Lexical Resource?

A natural word combination (e.g., 'make a decision', 'heavy traffic'); using correct collocations shows higher lexical control.

What does the 'Grammatical Range and Accuracy' criterion assess?

The variety of sentence structures used (simple, compound, complex) and how few grammatical/punctuation errors they contain.

Name three complex grammatical structures that demonstrate range in Task 2.

Relative clauses, conditional sentences, and subordinate clauses (e.g., although/because/while).

Why should you plan/outline before writing under time pressure?

A quick plan organizes ideas, ensures all parts are answered, improves coherence, and prevents running out of ideas mid-essay.

About how long should you spend planning a Task 2 essay, and what should the plan contain?

Around 5 minutes; jot the thesis/position and the main idea + example for each body paragraph.

Why should you avoid memorized templates and learned phrases in IELTS Writing?

Examiners penalize memorized language as it doesn't show genuine ability; overused template phrases are not credited toward the score.

What does 'off-topic content' mean and how does it affect your score?

Writing that doesn't address the specific question; it lowers Task Response because the task is not fully or relevantly answered.

List four things to check when editing an essay for accuracy.

Subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, articles (a/an/the), and spelling/punctuation (capitals, commas, full stops).

What level of formality and tone is required in IELTS Academic Writing?

Formal, academic tone — avoid contractions, slang, and overly personal/conversational language.

List three features of informal language you should avoid in IELTS academic essays.

Contractions (don't), slang/idioms (a lot of, kids), and abbreviations (e.g., '&', 'etc.' in body text).

Why should you not waste time counting every word, and how can you estimate word count quickly?

Counting wastes exam time; instead learn how many words fit per line in your handwriting and estimate by lines, writing comfortably above the minimum.