In Academic Writing Module
_ task 1 - you will be presented with a graph , table, chart or diagram and asked
to
describe , summarize or explain the information in your own words. You may be
asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something
works or describe an object or event.
_Task2- you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view,
argument or problem.
Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
Marking and Assessment
▪ Each task is assessed independently.
▪ The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than task 1.
▪ Responses are assessed by certified IELTS examiners.
▪ All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are
recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by IDP
▪ Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Task 1 responses are assessed on:
• Task achievement
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.
Task 2 responses are assessed on:
• Task response
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.
Performance descriptors
Task 1
⁃ Task achievement
This assesses how appropriately , accurately and relevantly the response
fulfils the requirements set out in the task , using the minimum of 150words.
Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined input and a largely
predictable output. It is basically an information-transfer task that relates
narrowly to the factual content of an input diagram and not to speculative
explanations that lie outside the given data.
⁃ Coherence and cohesion
This concerns overall clarity and fluency: how the response organises
and links information , ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of
ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate
use of cohesive devices(for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions)
to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and
within sentences clear.
⁃ Lexical resource
This refers to the range of vocabulary used and its accuracy and
appropriacy in terms of the specific task.
⁃ Grammatical range and accuracy
This refers to the range and accurate use of grammar as manifested in
their sentence writing.
Task 2
⁃ Task response
In both IELTS academic and IELTS General Training versions, Task 2
requires test takers to formulate and develop a position in relation to a given
prompt in the form of a question or statement. Ideas should be supported by
evidence , and examples may be drawn from the test takers’ own experience .
Responses must be at least 250 words in length. Scripts under the
required minimum word limit will be penalised.
⁃ Coherence and cohesion
This assesses the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the
response organises and links
information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of
ideas through logical sequencing.
Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive
devices(for example , logical connectors,
Logical connectors , pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the
conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.
⁃ Lexical resource
⁃ This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and
its accuracy and appropriate in terms of the specific task.
⁃ Grammatical range and accuracy
This assesses the range and accurate use of grammar , as manifested in
their test takers’ writing at sentence level.
Band
Task achievement
Coherence&cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
1
.answer is completely unrelated to the task
.fails to communicate any message
.can only use a few isolated words
.cannot use sentence forms at all
