Monday, April 4, 2011

Best Procedure for Writing IELTS Task 1 letters.

Today's best IELTS tip is about writing letters for General IELTS Writing Task 1.

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Here's the four step procedure for writing letters that I give my students.

Step 1

Read and understand the task; understand the topic; the question and the requirements.

Step 2

Plan what you are going to write: greet; state the purpose; give/request information; request action; close and sign off.

Step 3

Write your answer on the answer sheet.

·         Write a greeting

·         State your purpose (why you are writing)

·         Give/request information

·         Request action

·         Close

·         Sign off.

Step 4

Check your writing; check the content; the language; and the presentation.

 

For speaking test tips, why not download my free IELTS Speaking report; Speaking Test Tips from an IELTS Tutor.  I'm sure you'll find it useful!

If you're enjoying my best IELTS tips, why not look me up on 'youtube'.  My channel is 'bestieltsonline'.

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!


Alanna

 

Friday, April 1, 2011

Word limits in the Writing Test.

Today's best IELTS information is about how many words to write in the IELTS Writing Test.

I am frequesntly asked about IELTS Writing Test word limits.  OK, for Task 1, the test says to write AT LEAST 150 words and for Task 2, AT LEAST 250 words.  The crucial words are 'at least'; if you write less than 150 words / 250 words, you will be penalised.  But what about an upper word limit?  The test doesn't specity one.

As a teacher, I usually advise my students to write between 150 and 170 words for Task 1, certainly not more than 180 words.  Why not?  Well, you don't need to; you can use your time better; constructing a good answer, checking grammar and vocabulary etc.  This point also applies to Task 2, where I advise students to write between 250 and 280 words; certainly not more than 300.

 

For speaking test tips, why not download my free IELTS Speaking report; Speaking Test Tips from an IELTS Tutor.  I'm sure you'll find it useful!

If you're enjoying my best IELTS tips, why not look me up on 'youtube'.  My channel is 'bestieltsonline'.

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

 

Alanna