Are you an international student looking to study in Canada? If so, you’ll need to take an IELTS exam as part of the application process. However, there are two types of IELTS exams that international students can choose: Academic or General. Both are accepted by most Canadian universities and it’s important to understand the difference between them.
The Academic IELTS test is specifically designed for international students who want to pursue a degree in a university setting. It tests students on their ability to understand and use English for academic purposes such as reading textbooks, writing essays, participating in lectures and discussing scholarly topics. The writing portion consists of two tasks — one task testing your ability to summarize data from charts or diagrams and the other testing your ability to discuss an argument.
The General IELTS exam is open to international students who either want to gain employment in English-speaking countries or pursue non-academic training programmes or courses. It tests international students on their general language proficiency, such as understanding day-to-day conversations and completing work related tasks. The writing portion consists of two tasks — one task testing your ability to write a letter or fill out a form and the other task asking you to describe a situation or event.
Therefore, international students need to decide which type of IELTS exam they should take depending on the purpose of their study in Canada.
If you’re looking for employment or some kind of vocational training, then the General IELTS exam is the one for you.
However, if you wish to pursue a BACHELOR’S DEGREE and Masters DEGREE in Canada, then taking the Academic IELTS test is a must.
International students should make sure they understand the differences between Academic and General IELTS exams before taking either of them. By understanding their purpose and format, international students can ensure that they are able to achieve their desired goals in Canada.
Are you preparing to take the IELTS exam?
Writing can be a daunting task and it’s important to do your best so that you achieve the results you desire. Here are 10 tips to help polish up your writing skill before taking the test:
- Familiarize yourself with the format of IELTS writing tasks, including Task 1 and Task 2. Knowing what is expected of you will help ensure that all components of the test are answered effectively.
- Understand what is being asked in Task 1 – this part of the exam tests your ability to describe and explain data from visually-presented sources such as diagrams, graphs, or tables.
- Pay close attention to the criteria used to assess Task 1. The examiner will be looking for evidence of your ability to interpret the data correctly and present it through various elements such as organization, development, cohesion, and accuracy.
- Before you begin writing any part of the task, take a few moments to think about what you want to write and how best to structure your essay. This will save you time in the long run and help ensure that all parts are addressed adequately.
- Become aware of the requirements for Task 2 – this section of the exam is designed to evaluate your ability to generate ideas and express them into an argumentative essay based on a given topic or statement.
- Know the assessment criteria that will be used for Task 2. The examiner will be looking for evidence of your ability to write a cohesive, well-structured argument that is supported by relevant examples and explanations.
- Writing an essay in the allotted amount of time requires careful planning – take some time to map out your thoughts so you can stay on task and use your time effectively while writing.
- Once you have finished writing, it’s important to review your work to make sure there are no errors or mistakes. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc., and consider if the structure makes sense given the topic or statement provided.
- There are many resources available online that provide sample essays and model answers – reading these can be useful for gaining an understanding of what is required in the task and how to approach it in order to achieve a top score.
- The best way to get comfortable with writing for the IELTS exam is through practice. Take some time each day or week to write a few essays using various topics, so that you are well-prepared for taking the test on the big day.
By following these 10 tips, you will be well on your way to mastering IELTS writing and achieving the best possible results!
IELTS Writing Task 1 (In 2023)
IELTS Writing Task 1 asks you to write a summary of at least 150 words about some visual information, usually in the form of a graph, chart, or diagram. You must select the main features and describe and compare the data.
Academic Writing Task 1 Strategy
Understanding how the test is marked is important when completing Academic Writing Task 1. The main criteria for evaluation are Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. It is crucial to ensure you understand what each of these mean in order to maximize your score.
To do well on this task, it’s essential to paraphrase the question so that you can answer it accurately. This means changing the words used from those given in the original question while still conveying its meaning correctly. Doing this helps you demonstrate your ability to understand how words are connected and gives an impression of confidence towards English language skills.
When starting your answer, writing an overview is a great way to go as it acts as an introduction to the key points you’ll be discussing. It should provide a general overview of what will be covered in your answer and indicate its structure, as it can help your score in Coherence and Cohesion.
It’s important to support the main features with relevant details that you think are necessary, while maintaining good cohesion. This means linking your ideas together and explaining why they are important or how they relate to each other. It helps if you use evidence such as statistics or examples when writing this part too.
Finally, before submitting your work make sure you check it over at least once for any errors that may have slipped through. That way you can be confident that all mistakes have been corrected and your answer is free from any careless mistakes that may affect your score.
By following these steps, you are sure to make the best of Academic Writing Task 1 and maximize your chances of getting a high score.
IELTS General Writing Task 1 in 5 Simple Steps
Understanding how the General Training Writing Task 1 is marked can help you get the most out of your letter. It is important to decide whether the letter is formal or informal and discuss each bullet point from the question. This will ensure that all necessary information is included in your response.
Formal letters should include a greeting, such as “Dear sir/madam”, followed by an introduction of yourself, who you are writing on behalf of (if applicable), and what you would like to talk about.
The body should then address each bullet point from the question one at a time, making sure not to leave anything out.
After this, a conclusion should be provided with any final comments and a closing statement. For example, “I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.” And be sure to sign off your letter properly with either: “Sincerely”, or if the recipient is someone you know well, for example a family member, then it could be more suitable to use something like “All my love”.
It is essential that you check your work after completing the task, as spelling and grammar mistakes can affect your score. Also, make sure that all bullet points from the question have been addressed adequately and accurately in order to get the best outcome possible.
Remember, having an understanding of how it’s marked will help you achieve success.
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