IELTS Briefing Common Problems in Writing

Common problems
in IELTS writing for

Vietnamese candidates
British Council
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts
Common problems
in IELTS Task 1 writing
#1 Not knowing how you are marked
Marked in four categories:

Task Achievement
Coherence & Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
25% for each category. Final mark = average of 4
categories
Cannot get .5 in each category only overall
Download the public band descriptors

at j.mp/ieltswb1
They tell you what you need to do to get your
score
#2 Units and Numbers
In Task 1, numbers can be

written in units on the y-axis
Units are written in the plural form

(billions, in thousands, millions of
kg, etc.)
However, you should never write

numbers as plurals in your essay
Common errors:
1) Forgetting the unit
In 1995, the duration of land line
calls stood at around 70 minutes.
2) Writing numbers as plurals

In 1995, the duration of mobile
calls stood at around 35 millions
minutes.
In 1995, the duration of mobile
calls stood at around 35 millions.
Common errors:
3) Amounts of money
$1,7 billion
SHOULD BE:
1.7$ billion
$ 1.7 billion $1.7 billion
1.7 billion $
How it affects your score
If some details are inaccurate: TA = 6

Details may be irrelevant, inappropriate or
inaccurate.
If entire parts are inaccurate: TA = 4

Parts may be unclear, irrelevant, repetitive or
inaccurate.
#3 Future Predictions
What do you notice about the years?
PREDICTIONS FOR
FINISHED PAST THE FUTURE
EVENTS
(NOT 100% SURE
(PAST TENSES) WILL HAPPEN)
If the transition year between past and

prediction is not given, assume it is the date
you write your IELTS test (2014 or 2015)
DRAW A LINE ON YOUR TEST PAPER!
Sometimes the transition year

between past and prediction is given
#3 Future predictions
PREDICTIONS FOR
FINISHED PAST THE FUTURE
EVENTS
(NOT 100% SURE
(PAST TENSES) WILL HAPPEN)
Never use will / going to
Always use a prediction phrase, such as:
is/are expected to + verb (infinitive)

is/are predicted to + verb (infinitive)
is/are forecast to + verb (infinitive)
is/are projected to + verb (infinitive)
is/are anticipated to + verb (infinitive)
#4 Not Making Comparisons
Instructions for all Task 1 prompts:
If you only describe the shape of the graph(s),

you will not get above a 5 for Task Achievement
You can compare things in

any type of Task 1 question.
How it affects your score
No comparisons?
Likely a 5.
Generally addresses
the task (but not
addresses the
requirements of the
task) & there may be
a tendency to focus on
details.
Don't describe items in isolation
Instead of describing 2 items separately,
describe by time / period and compare the
data at key points.
Two things you can always compare:
Ranking (Highest? Lowest? Higher than?
Lower than? Mid-level?)
Rate of change (Increased more quickly than?
Increased more slowly than? Decreased more
rapidly than?)
With a partner, look at the graph

and make one comparison about:
Ranking (Highest? Lowest? Higher than?

Lower than? Mid-level?)
Rate of change (Increased more quickly

than? Increased more slowly than?
Decreased more rapidly than?)
Fish and chips became the most consumed fast food in the UK by
the end of the period.
Consumption of hamburgers increased less rapidly than that of
fish & chips.
Consumption of pizza decreased while the other two increased.
#5 Collocations
Collocations = words that naturally go

together
Some adjectives/adverbs do not collocate
The price of oil plummeted gradually.

There was a steady fluctuation.
The price of oil skyrocketed slightly.
There was a sharp levelling off.
#5 Collocations
Two ways to use trend language:
Adjective + noun
ex. There was a gradual increase
Verb + adverb
ex. The price of oil increased gradually
Two types of adjectives/adverbs to describe

change:
Rate (ie. The speed that smth changes)
Amount (ie. The quantity that smth changes)
#5 Collocations
Examples of rate
adjectives/adverbs:
Adjective Adverb
sudden suddenly
sharp sharply
rapid rapidly
steady steadily
consistent consistently
gradual gradually
#5 Collocations
Examples of amount
adjectives/adverbs:
Adjective Adverb
Trend language
#6spectacular spectacularly
dramatic dramatically
substantial substantially
significant significantly
modest modestly
slight slightly
marginal marginally
#5 Collocations
How do collocations affect your LR score?
#6 Clear Overview
Somewhere in your Task 1 writing you

must have a clear overview
Usually in your introduction paragraph after you introduce

the situation OR as your conclusion paragraph
Usually one sentence, but it can be two.
A summary of the most important trends, differences or

features of the data.
No clear overview = maximum 5 for Task Achievement

#6 Clear Overview
Example
Bad Example: Overall, there were many
significant changes in the figures.
OK example: In general, the duration of
national and international fixed line calls and
mobile calls increased whereas local fixed line
calls rose then fell over the period.
Good Example: Overall, although local fixed line
calls were still the most popular in 2002, the gap
between the three categories had narrowed
considerably over the second half of the period.
Example
Bad example: Generally speaking, it is expected
that there will be many changes in the
demographics of Yemen and Italy.
OK example: Overall, Italy is expected to have a
much older population than Yemen by 2050.
Good example: Generally speaking, in Yemen the
middle-age population is expected to increase and
become the majority while in Italy the elderly
population is projected to increase greatly.
#7 Capital Letters
Sometimes the units are given in capitals
#7 Capitalisation
In your essay, only use capitals for proper nouns
Places (countries, cities, towns, etc.)
Names (Microsoft, Chinese, Google, etc.)
Never use capitals for common nouns

Any questions
about
Task 1 writing?
Common problems
in IELTS Task 2 writing
Marked in four categories:

Task Achievement
Coherence & Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
25% for each category. Final mark = average of 4
categories
Cannot get .5 in each category only overall
Download the public band descriptors

at j.mp/ieltswb2
They tell you what you need to do to get your
score
#2 Writing the wrong type of essay
There are a range of different tasks

in Task 2 writing
The type of essay you write depends on the task
Look at the following five example tasks. For each:
What are the missing words in the task?

What kind of essay (i.e. argumentative) would be
the best for that task?
What are the missing words in the instructions?
Is there anything unusual about this task?
#3 Writing before planning
Many candidates are too concerned about time
They feel that they must start writing ASAP
They start writing immediately without planning
This often results in three problems:
1. Misunderstanding the prompt
2. Ideas with unclear support
3. Wasting time to think of ideas while writing
1. Misunderstanding the prompt
Candidates who rush tend to not fully understand the

prompt
Often write about the theme but not the exact prompt
Universities should accept equal members of male and

female students in every subject.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
1. I strongly agree that tertiary institutions should

accept both men and women.
2. I agree that male and female students should

have equal rights at university.
3. There are many reasons why there are more

men than women in universities which has led
to some serious consequences.
2. Ideas with unclear support
Candidates who think on the fly (think of ideas

while writing) often change their mind
Their supporting ideas change

but their topic sentence stays
the same
This often leads to unclear

supporting ideas
3. Waste time to think of ideas while writing
Buy 100,000 of petrol and drive for 5 days
Big capital investment
Only queue once a week to buy petrol = more free time
Buy 20,000 of petrol and drive for 1 day

Small capital investment
Waste time queuing
for 20 minutes every day
Planning before writing

Invest time at the beginning
Dont have to stop while
writing to think of ideas www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts
#4 Unclear position
Two types of IELTS task 2 prompts:

1. State a position (point of view)
2. Give an analysis
Which type(s) of prompt is each example?

1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
3. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
4. What are the causes of this and what measures can be taken to
solve this problem?
5. Is this a positive or negative development?
#4 Unclear position
If the prompt requires a position,
you must have an opinion / point of view
IELTS expects a clear position throughout

Thesis statement
Topic sentences
Supporting ideas
Conclusion
Dont wait until the conclusion to give your opinion

Surprise conclusions are bad.
State your position in the introduction, support it in your

main paragraphs, and re-state it in the conclusion
#4 Unclear position
IELTS doesnt care what your opinion
is, as long as it is clear and consistent
Dont be ambiguous (no conclusions drawn)

Every coin has two sides and this
issue is no exception
This is a serious issue in modern
society which needs to be addressed.
The government needs to take action
on this issue.
Dont sit on the fence have an opinion!

How does it affect your mark?
Task Response
7: Presents a clear position throughout the
response.
6: Presents a relevant position although the
conclusions may become unclear or repetitive.
5: Expresses a position but the development is not
always clear and there may be no conclusions
drawn.
4: Presents a position but this is unclear.
3: Does not express a clear position.
2: Does not express an opinion.
#5 Writing too much
You must write at least 250 words
You lose points if under
but you dont gain points if over
Longer essay =
Risk of reduced
coherence
Risk of taking
> 40 minutes
Risk of more
grammar and
spelling mistakes
6.5 9.0
#6 Lack of modals
Speculation = what you think might

happen in the future
Causes / Effects / Problems / Solutions
Always use modals to avoid

committing too strongly to a
speculative idea
Modals = escape route if you

are wrong (nobodys perfect!)
#7 Mechanical cohesive devices
If you were an IELTS examiner, what would you think
about the organisation of this essay?
mechanical (adj.) done without

thinking or without any attempt to be original
IELTS expects a range of cohesive

devices
IELTS expects them to be between and

within sentences
IELTS expects more than just listing / ordering

Firstly, secondly, finally, in conclusion
MECHANICAL LESS COMMON

To begin with
Firstly / First of all
First and foremost
Conversely
However #6 - Mechanical
In contrast
On the contrary
Similarly cohesive devices

Likewise
By the same token
Furthermore
Moreover / in addition
What is more
For instance
For example To illustrate
One example of this is
To sum up
In conclusion
On the www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts
whole
Not just at the beginning of sentences
Can often be used after the subject, with commas
Strict punishments, on the contrary, are not an effective
solution to the problem.
This solution, in addition, can help with public health.
That, however, is not a viable solution to the problem.
Be different! Make the examiners say wow!
How does it affect your score?
7: uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately
although there may be some under-/over-use
6: uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion

within and/or between sentences may be faulty or
mechanical.
5: makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of

cohesive devices
4: uses some basic cohesive devices but these may

be inaccurate or repetitive
#8 Formulaic Introductions
Many candidates write the same

introduction for every essay
Traffic is a controversial topic around the world.

Nowadays, some people claim that punishments should
be stricter, while others think the opposite. This essay
will discuss both sides of the issue and give an opinion.
Avoid this formula:

Controversial topic
Present situation
Vague thesis statement
#8 Formulaic Introductions
One possible improvement:
Around the world, many fatalities and injuries

occur due to driving offences. One proposition
is to increase the severity of driving offences. There
are pros and cons to this idea, but in general this is an
effective solution.
Direct thesis statement

Clearly states your premise / main point / opinion / focus
Not this essay will discuss [paraphrased prompt].
You must include examples
Dont invent fake knowledge

According to a UN survey, 99% of IELTS examiners are
geniuses with above average IQ.
According to scientists, the sky is green.
Based on recent research, the sun orbits the earth.
It is widely known that cats have seven legs.
Dont use ambiguous examples
For example, income growth in many developing
countries has led to the improving of living standards in
many areas.
A more concrete example would be:
For example, recent GDP growth in Vietnam has led
to the improving of living standards throughout the
country, especially in infrastructure such as the Ho Chi
Minh highway or the Vinh Tuy bridge.
Your example should show your argument in
action.
Real-life event, person, company or place.
Based on your own experience is OK.
Recommended Books
Sam McCarter (2007), Improve your IELTS: Writing Skills, Macmillan.
Vanessa Jakeman (2007), Action Plan for IELTS, Cambridge Univ. Press.
Useful Websites
www.britishcouncil.org/vietnam-exams-road-to-
ielts.htm
ielts.org
dcielts.com
ielts-simon.com
ielts-academic.com
ieltsbuddy.com
ielts-blog.com
Any questions
about
Task 2 writing?
Good
Luck!

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Common problems

in IELTS writing for

Marked in four categories:

Download the public band descriptors

In Task 1, numbers can be

Units are written in the plural form

However, you should never write

2) Writing numbers as plurals

How it affects your score

If some details are inaccurate: TA = 6

If entire parts are inaccurate: TA = 4

If the transition year between past and

DRAW A LINE ON YOUR TEST PAPER!

Sometimes the transition year

Never use will / going to

Always use a prediction phrase, such as:

is/are expected to + verb (infinitive)

If you only describe the shape of the graph(s),

You can compare things in

With a partner, look at the graph

Ranking (Highest? Lowest? Higher than?

Rate of change (Increased more quickly

Collocations = words that naturally go

Some adjectives/adverbs do not collocate

The price of oil plummeted gradually.

Two types of adjectives/adverbs to describe

How do collocations affect your LR score?

Somewhere in your Task 1 writing you

Usually in your introduction paragraph after you introduce

Usually one sentence, but it can be two.

A summary of the most important trends, differences or

No clear overview = maximum 5 for Task Achievement

Never use capitals for common nouns

Marked in four categories:

Download the public band descriptors

There are a range of different tasks

The type of essay you write depends on the task

Look at the following five example tasks. For each:

What are the missing words in the task?

Many candidates are too concerned about time

They feel that they must start writing ASAP

They start writing immediately without planning

This often results in three problems:

1. Misunderstanding the prompt

2. Ideas with unclear support

3. Wasting time to think of ideas while writing

1. Misunderstanding the prompt

Candidates who rush tend to not fully understand the

Universities should accept equal members of male and

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

1. I strongly agree that tertiary institutions should

2. I agree that male and female students should

3. There are many reasons why there are more

Candidates who think on the fly (think of ideas

Their supporting ideas change

This often leads to unclear

Buy 20,000 of petrol and drive for 1 day

Planning before writing

Two types of IELTS task 2 prompts:

Which type(s) of prompt is each example?

IELTS expects a clear position throughout

Dont wait until the conclusion to give your opinion

State your position in the introduction, support it in your

Dont be ambiguous (no conclusions drawn)