Well, the next tests in IELTS are writing and speaking. TOEFL [paper based] does not include these two examinations. What kind of writing test?

Generally,the writings tasks of IELTS divided into two sections, section one, in which we need to describe a chart, graph, table, or so on; and section two, wherein we have to write a short essay on a topic given.

Look at this example.

 In this section, as clearly stated by the direction, we have to describe the information given.

Rule number one: start with a sentence telling the reader what we are going to explain. For example: The graph shows global water use by sector during the last a century; while the table depicts water consumption in Brazil and Congo in the year 2000.

Rule number two: Just define any information you can obtain from the figure, chart, table, or anything given. Avoid mentioning additional reasons, causes, or any personal thoughts that often we think will give bonus points. I am telling you this, the examiner will cut your points if you’re doing so. There is no use of all those stuff. Just explain what we can read. For example, the graph tells us that the largest water consumption is for agricultural use for the last a hundred years. It keeps raising as the years go by, while water for industrial and domestic use generally minimum until in 1950s, when the uses steadily increase with time. Do not mention some reasons why agriculture consume more water or why the water consumption for industrial and domestic uses are less. Another thing is, in the IELTS preparation, we will be trained to use adverbs to describe how far is the changes in charts or whatsoever, like dramatically, slowly, sharply, etc. It is very useful to give accurate description of some information.

Rule number three: avoid using the same words to describe the information. People may tend to use same words to explain the graph, for example the consumption on agriculture rises over the years, and the domestic use also rises. It is better to say, water consumption for agriculture purpose keeps raising for the past a century, while industrial and domestic use of water only show a steep increase after 1950s. See? Use ‘raise’ and ‘increase’.

Now for writing task two.

In this section, we may use our own opinion. However, while we are not ordered to show on what extent we are agree or disagree on one of those views [there is also a kind of that task in IELTS, but not shown here], do not make sort of unbalanced writing. We should write equally, eplaining one view first, and later the second one. Remember to start our writing with short sentence as a big picture of the whole essay. Look at this example: An anonymous quote say, the only certain thing in this world is uncertainty. It is true that the world keeps changing, technologies stays developing, problems faced by people also in some extent are different from time to time. In accordance to those changes, people may give different responses. There are those who consider changes as somewhat painful, forcedly drive people to get out their comfort zone…..and so on. Also pay attention to the required words set. Be sure that we write more than that, but do not write too much.

Well, I am getting tired writing, so we will continue to speaking test next time. See ya!!