IELTS Writing Task 2

Road Map: Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Vocabulary Section 3: Steps Section 4: Action Plan Section 5: Write Section 6: Homework Task Section 7: More Practice and Resources Section 8: Rubric

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Explained

Writing task 2 is always a discursive essay (http://writecampus.com/discursive.html) question where you are given a point of view, an argument or a problem and asked for your opinion on the question. You will often be asked to take a position from an argument: to agree or disagree. You can approach the question in TWO ways: 1. You can agree OR disagree 2. You can agree AND disagree, which is called for and against essay (http://academic-essays.info/2007/12/07/for-and-against-essay/) For and Against Essays In this type of academic essay, the writer doesnt express his personal opinion until the conclusion. When you approach questions that ask you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of something, write a for and against essay. Writing Task 2 requirements: You must write at least 250 words in 40 minutes. Your writing will be assessed on the following criteria: 1. Task response: how well do you understand the task and answer the question? 2. Coherence and cohesion: how your essay is organized and how the different parts are connected. 1

3. Lexical resource: have you used an appropriate range of vocabulary? 4. Grammatical range and accuracy: have you used range of grammatical structures and have these been accurate?

Sample IELTS Task 2 Question You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: It is inevitable that as technology develops so traditional cultures must be lost. Technology and tradition are incompatible - you cannot have both together. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Useful Words

Expressing Views I would argue that I firmly believe that It seems to me that I tend to think that People argue that Some people think/say that It is understood that It is generally accepted that Refuting an Argument I am unconvinced that I dont believe that It is hard to accept that There is little evidence to support the It is unjustifiable to say that Defining By I mean By this I mean In other words That is to say To be more precise Here Im (not) referring to Providing Support For example For instance A good example of this is Indeed In fact Of course If this were the case Firstly Naturally In my experience Let me illustrate Presenting 3

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First of all Id like to begin with Secondly/ Then Id like to move on to Not forgetting the matter of Before we go any further, let us look at Last but not least theres To summarize, To conclude Generalizing Generally speaking, There are in the region of On the whole As a rule Emphasizing What we really need are.

How to approach IELTS Task 2

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Understand the question

y y y Read the question. Ask yourself about each of the keywords in the question. Analyze the task and make sure you understand what you are asked to discuss.

Brainstorm the main ideas

y y y y y Think of your view on the topic. Think of arguments against the viewpoint you want to discuss. State your position clearly. Make sure you say what your position is, and that it stays the same. You will need a few main ideas, but remember that you need main ideas on both sides of the argument.

Decide how you will organize your essay

Introduction Briefly restate the issue in the topic. State simply that the issue has advantages and disadvantages or reasons to be 'for' or 'against' it. (Save your opinion for the end.) Main Body Devote a separate paragraph to each side of the argument. Start with a clear topic sentence announcing one side of the argument. Develop with 2-4 aspects. Use linking words and elaborate, where needed, with reasons and/or examples. Conclusion End by weighing up both sides and expressing your opinion.
http://www.englishbaby.com/lessons/4722/member_submitted/how_to_organize_your_essay_c omposition

Use topic sentences and supporting details

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More information @ http://www.scribd.com/doc/18190074/Argument-Essay

Action Plan

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Analyze the task to see how many parts you have to write about. Decide on your position and your main ideas. Introduce your answer by re-phrasing the question and stating your position. Write three to five paragraphs on your main ideas, with supporting arguments. Link your ideas together so that your answer is logical and clearly developed. Try to use a range of relevant vocabulary and sentence types. Conclude by re-stating your position and summing up your arguments. Check your answer for errors and count the number of words you have used.

Writing Practice
Task one: You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

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Modern technology is changing our world. This has advantages and disadvantages such as bringing people closer together through communication. It also has disadvantages such as destroying the differences between cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Task two: You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the worlds cities can be directly attributed to the number of private cars in use. Governments must encourage their citizens to use their cars less and public transport more. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

LC3 Week 5 Homework (20 Points)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

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Parents and teachers make many rules for children to encourage good behavior and to protect them from danger. However, children would benefit from fewer rules and greater freedom. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

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Online Practice and Resources

plus-essay 2. Excellent website on academic writing http://academicwriting.wikidot.com/start 3. Sample answers - IELTS Writing Task 2

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1. Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 questions http://www.scribd.com/doc/3008689/ielts-writing-task-2-essay-100-

http://www.scribd.com/doc/5278572/IELTS-Task-2-Essay4160 4. Argument topics http://www.writefix.com/argument/topics.htm 5. IELTS Writing help http://ieltswriting.info/ 6. Sample graded IELTS Writing Task 2 (band 7) http://www.ieltsexam.net/IELTS-WritingSamples/IELTS_Sample_Writing_Academic_Task_2_5.pdf

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RUBRIC
Score Question response sufficiently addresses all parts of the task presents a welldeveloped response to the question with relevant, 5.0 extended and supported ideas Coherence and cohesion sequences information and ideas logically manages all aspects of cohesion well uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and

2/24/2011 3:29:00 AM Vocabulary Grammar

uses a wide range of structures the majority of sentences are error-free makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacies

flexibly to convey precise meanings skillfully uses uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation produces rare errors in spelling and/or word formation

addresses all parts of the task presents a clear position throughout the response presents, extends 4.0 and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to overgeneralise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus (letter writing) presents a clear purpose, with the

logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under/over-use presents a clear central 12

uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation may produce occasional errors in word

uses a variety of complex structures produces frequent errorfree sentences has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors

Score Question response tone consistent and appropriate

Coherence and cohesion topic within each paragraph

Vocabulary

Grammar

choice, spelling and/or word formation uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation, but they do not impede communication uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication

addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others presents a relevant position although the conclusions may become unclear 3.0 or repetitive presents relevant main ideas but some may be

arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical

inadequately may not developed/unclear always use (letter writing) presents a purpose that is generally clear; there may be inconsistencies in tone referencing clearly or appropriately uses paragraphing, but not always logically

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Score Question response addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places expresses a position but the development is not always clear and there may be no conclusions drawn presents some 2.0 main ideas but these are limited and not sufficiently developed; there may be irrelevant detail (letter writing) may present a purpose for the letter that is unclear at times; the tone may be variable and sometimes inappropriate

Coherence and cohesion presents information with some organisation but there may be a lack of overall progression makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices may be repetitive because of lack of referencing and substitution may not write in paragraphs, or paragraphing may be inadequate

Vocabulary

Grammar

uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task may make noticeable errors in

uses only a limited range of structures attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple

spelling and/or sentences word formation may make that may cause some difficulty for the reader frequent grammatical errors and punctuation may be faulty; errors can cause some difficulty for the reader

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Score Question response responds to the task only in a minimal way or the answer is tangential; the format may be inappropriate presents a

Coherence and cohesion presents information and ideas but these are not arranged coherently and there is no clear

Vocabulary

Grammar

uses only basic vocabulary which may be used repetitively or which may be inappropriate for the task

uses only a very limited range of structures with only rare use of subordinate clauses some structures are accurate but errors predominate, and punctuation is often faulty

position but this is progression in has limited unclear the response control of word presents some main ideas but these are difficult to identify and uses some basic cohesive devices but formation and/or spelling; errors may cause strain for the reader

1.0

may be repetitive, these may be irrelevant or not inaccurate or well supported (letter writing) fails to clearly explain the purpose of the letter; the tone may be inappropriate repetitive may not write in paragraphs or their use may be confusing

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