IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 outline

For writing Task 1, you have 20 minutes to write the essay and you must write at least 150 words. 

 The essay is marked on four categories:

1.       Task Achievement

2.       Coherence and Cohesion

3.       Lexical Resource (vocabulary)

4.       Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Let’s explore these in a little bit more detail.

1.       Task Achievement: Did you address the task, did you answer all parts of the questions, did you write 150 words, and is your essay set out in paragraphs with a clear introduction, body paragraphs and a clear conclusion.  Is there a clear overview of the main trends? 

2.       Coherence & Cohesion: Your information must be set out logically and that your ideas connect (using a range of connectors) and flow, clearly stating which direction your essay is going.

3.       Lexical Resource: Here is your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary to explain exactly what you mean.  You should be able to use a good range of vocabulary without having to repeat your vocabulary over and over again, for example: number, figure, percentage.

4.       Grammatical Range and Accuracy: You have to be able to demonstrate your grammatical ability by using simple and complex grammatical structures and your sentences as error-free as possible.

Before you even start writing consider the following: