Improve your IELTS writing skills - Full book

IMPROVE YOUR IELTS

Sam McCarter

Norman Whitby

~ MACMILLAN

•

Introductio n

page 4

Unit 1

page 6

Unit2

page 14

Unit3

page 22

Unit4

page 30

Unit5

page 38

Unit 6

page 46

Unit7

page 54

UnitS

page 62

Unit9

page 70

Unit 10

page 78

Contents

TOp ic

Change and

consequences

The importance

of the past

Machines, cycles,

and processes

Education

Youth

Culture

Arts and sciences

Nature

Health

Individual and

society

Sample answers

page 6

Key

page 96

••• • ••••• • ••

Task 1

Describing trends

Related verbs and nouns

Un derst and ing data

Comparing information

Adverbs in comparisons

Com paring and contrasting

The passive

Sequencing

Gen eral and spedfic

statements

Comparing information

Describing proportions

Describing changes

Describing locations

Concluding statement.

Con cession ( 1 )

Adverbs

Using actv eJ:bs to eva lu ate

data

Avoiding irrelevance

taking predictions

Factual accuracy

Varying vocabulary

Checking pelling

Word order

Linking using with

Task 1 revision

Ta..,k Z

Understanding questions

Expressing solu tions

Lin king ph rases

Using trigger words

Using itltheylthislthese

Planning essays

Devel ping ideas

Using which to organize

information

Expre ssing result and purpose

Avo iding ov rgenerajiza tion

Developing reasons

Developing an d ju stifying

opinions

Writing introductions

Expressing advantag sand

disadvantage

Advantage an d disadvantage

va abulary

Concession (2)

DiSCUSSing other people's opinion

Hypolh e izin g

Article

Wri tin g con clusions

Organizing words

Verb-subject agreement

Paragraph struClure

Relevant and irrelevanr

information

Task 2 revision

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In trod-uction

• •

What is Improve your IEL TS Writing Skills?

Improve YOllr fELTS Writing Skills is a complete preparation course for the Academic

Writing pape r o( the Internationa l English Lang u age Te" ting System . Through

targeted practice, it develops skills and language to help you achieve a highe r JELTS

score in the Academic Writing pape r.

How can I use this book?

You can use Improve YOllr lELTS Writil1g Skills as a book fo r tudying on your own or in

a class.

If you arc studying on your own, fmprove YOllr fELTS Writillg Skills is designed to gu ide

au step"by"step through the activities. This book is also completely elf-contained:

a clear and accessible key is provided so that you can easily check you r answ r as

you w ork through the book. in addition, there is a sample answer to acc mpanyeach

Task 1 and Task 2 question.

If you are studying as part of a class, your teacher will direct yo u on how to use each

activity. Some activities can be treated a discussions, in which case they can be a

useful opportunity to _hare ideas and techniques with othe r learners.

How is Improve your IEL TS Writing Skills orga n ized?

J[ consists of ten units based aroun d topics wbich occur common ly in the real test .

Each unit consists of three sections:

Task I: exercises and examples to de velop skills and language for Ta k 1 questions.

Ta sk 2 : exerdses and examples to develop skills and language for Task 2 questions.

Practice test: a complete Academ ic Writing paper based on th e un it topiC to prac tise

the skills learned .

Each Task 1 and Task 2 section is subdivided furthe r into skills se ti ons. These focus

n spedfic areas of relevance to each task .

In addition, there are echniqlles boxes throughout the book These reimor e k.ey

points on how to approach Academi c Writing tasks.

How will Improve your JELTS Writing SkiJJs improve my

score?

By developing skills

The skills sections form a detailed syllabus of essential IELTS wriling skills. For

example, key elements of Task 1 prep ara tion, su ch as Describing trends and COlI/paril1g

information, are fully covered. Similarly, Task 2 skills, such as Expressing sO/II/iom and

Dnelopil19 ideas are dealt with in detail.

By developing language

Each unit also contains a resour e of useful phrases and vocabulary to II e in each

writing task. Over th e ourse of Irnprol'eyollr fELTS Writing Skills, you will encounter

a wide rang of ideas (0 ensure thaI you are not lost for words when you get to the

real test. These include concepts such as organjzjng word, trigger words, and linking

phrases, which all contribute to an appropriate academic writing style.

BV developing test technique

The Tedlllique boxes contain shari tips which can easily be memorized and used

as reminders in the real test. These include quick and easy advice about planning,

under tanding questions, and how to use eUectively the language you have learned.

Introdllctioll

•

How is the IELTS Academic Writing paper organized?

The academic writing omponent of the IELTS lasts one hour. 111 the test, there are

two task of different le ngth. both of which 'ou must all'wer.

What does each task consist of?

In Task I. you will hav to w rite at least 150 words to describe some data or a

diagram. Data will normally be presented in the form of a graph, a bar or pie chan.

a tabl e. or a ombination of these. A diagram will norma ll y (elate [Q a process, the

workings [ an object. or changes in map o ver time. You are always exp e ted to

summarize the information by describing the main features. makin J comparison

" .... here relevan t.

In Task 2. you will h ave to w rite at least 250 words on a topic. Y 1.1 will be presented

wilh an opinion, an argument. r a p roblem, and you will be expected to respond in

son e way. For example. in 'our re pons . you may be asked LO:

xp r s an opinion .

give views about two differem opinions and give your own opinion.

discuss advantages and disad vantage .

give a solution to a problem by suggesting measures.

discuss ca uses of a problem and suggest sol utions.

You are ahvays expe ted to give reasons and include any relevant examples from

your own knowledge and experience.

How will I be assessed?

In both tasks ou will be Clssessed on your ability to expre s yourself clearly an d

accurately in English.

In Task 1. you r an wer is assessed according to your ability to write abou t d ta in an

organized wa y an d compare infoID1a tion where it is relevant to do so. You. ho uld

write about the main fea tures of the data an a ld relevant d rail where n e essary.

In Task 2, your answer i assessed a cording to your abili ty to wri in a logical

m anner as you give a solution 10 a problem, present andjuslify an opinion, compare

and contrast evict nce and opinions, or evaluate and challenge ideas or arguments.

How much time should I spend on each task?

You are ad ised to sp end 20 m inutes on Task l.

You are advised to spend 40 minut s on Task .

Even though Task 2 ca rrie more m arks, you should always do Task 1 first. This

is because it is shorter, and psychologicCl lly it fee ls better if you ha ve comple ted

on e task.

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II

II

UN IT

1

6 ••••

Change and conseqLlences

Unit aims

Task t

Descnl:lIng trends

Related verbs and nouns

Understanding data

Tas~ 2

Understandmg questIOns

ExpreSSing soluttons

Linking phrases

USing trigger wards

Task 1 Describing trends

1 The gTaphs relate to sales of media technolog . .

Which graph a- h d o au think shows sales for each

item in the photos 1-4?

2 Match each grapb (a-h) w ith the most appr p riate

description below (1-10).

] Sales of auelio cassettes fell steaelily . .......... ~ ......

2 iPo sales rose gradually . ..................

3 Plasma TV sales fluctuated wildly, but the trend

was upward . ..................

4 Sales of video cassettes n uctuated wildly, and the

tTend was downward ............ _ .. ... _

5 Total digital camera sales dropped slightly.

....... -..........

6 Sa es of audio cassettes fell and then levelled off.

..................

7 The sales of MP3-players rose gradually and then

climbed sharply . ............. _ ....

B Purchases of video cassette recorders d lined

dramatically . ......... ,' .......

9 Sales of games consoles decreased and then

levelled off ...................

10 CD sales dropped suddenJy ...................

3 Underline the verbs in 2 used to describe tren d

Example

I Sales of audio cassettes kU steadily.

4 The verbs in 2 are modified by adverb such as

steadily. Find the adverbs and decid e wheth r they

mean slow or fast changes. Complete the lists below.

Slow .. ~~~!~~ .,

Fas!

•

II V

iii -

II .~

iii

m

D

~ m .---------------

iii ~

Technique

• Include a variety of

• structures In your

• writing. Use both

• verb + adverb a 1d

• adjective + noun • •

• structures In '{our

Task 1 answer.

• Express nouns as

The . of or as TWO

• nouns

•

•

UNIT 1 Charlge alld COli eqllell"s

••• • •

Related verbs and nouns

5 en tc' Cf: ~ containing verb phrQs es such as jeJl steadily call often b e re\-\'J.iLLen

using the correct form of there islare and a related noun. Read the examples.

Then rewri te sentences a-j below.

6

Examples

Th co nsumption of chocolate fell steadily. (verb + adverb)

There was a steady fall in the consumption of chocolate . (there was a + adjective +

n oun )

There has been a dramatic rise in the producrioD of films. (there has been a +

adjeCtive + noun)

Th production of film has risell dramaticalry. (verb + adverb)

a Spice expons from Afri ca fl uc tuated wildly over the period.

There were ........................................ ................................. .. ..................................... .

b The development of n ew products fell gradually.

Ther was ...... ............. ..... .......................................................................................... .

c There has been a noticeable decrease in es ~a h investmen l.

Research ......................... ............... ........... ........ ... .. .................................................. ..

d The purchases of ti.cket dropped significantly last month .

There as ............................................................................................................ ..

e On the Internet, th e illu rober of sites rose significantly.

There wa .................................................................................................................. ..

There was a su.dden decrease in th e sale of mangos.

The sale ..................................................................................................................... .

g At the theme park. there "vere very slight fluctuations in the number of

visitors.

The number ............................................................................................................... .

h There was a gradual declin e in sugar impons.

Sugar .......................................................................................................................... .

The quality of food in supermarkers has tncreased slowly .

There h as .......................................................................................................... ......... .

The number of air travellers fluctuated remarkably.

There .......................... ................................... ........................................ ..................... .

Phrases such as the consumplion oj chocolate can often be rewritten as just two

nouns. Read the examples. Then find and revyTitt' olh J examples in 5.

Examples

The consumptioll oj chaco/ate can become Chocolate cOllsumption.

The production offt/lns can become Fillll production . (not Films production).

••••• 7

Technique

To l1el~ you read

the graph. write the

• Ilames nt tile t.afes

at the end of each

Il n~

Model text

Understanding data

7 Read the graph and th e Ta sk 1 q uesli.on. Wh l was the in me in dollar for:

a The Tea Room in January? $160,000 ..... .. ......... ........ .....

b Internet Express in July?

c Wi-fi Cafe in November?

d are Co I in D eember?

e The Tea Room in February?

Task 1

Y01/ should spend about 20 111 in lites 011 this task.

The graph sholt·,\, I lJe income of faLl r cafes

i/l New York over lasl year.

Sutnmal'iZl! the informalion by selectil)D

and reporliJ.ID the maill featt/res, and

ma ke compllri ons where relevallt.

Write at least 150 words. __ The TeB Room

-+- Internel Express

--- WI·II Ca fe

-- Cafe Cool

Changing trends in cafe income

.200 -.-------------

180+-----------+_

160 -I--.or--~-------_I__

140 -l--'rl'---1.---I.------.---I--

~120+-----~--- -~~

;3 100 -+-:..:--- -------c ~..,....,.,-A__+_

g "' 80 +---~.""""~--->.,_.-.,1'-~

60+----~~---- ~

40+----- --~'- --

+- ------

o +--.--~r_r_~~~~~-r~

J F M A M J J A SON D

8 Answer these questions about rhe graph.

a What do the letters , F, M, etc along th b llom of the graph mean?

b Wh a t do s OOOs mean .

e What P Item an yo u s 'C?

d What comparisons can you make?

9 Read the model text and decide wherher each missing phras

n oun, or an adverb.

Example

1 adverb

me graph providef, informa1ion about the

inc.ome trend~ of fo ur c.afe~ over the la5t

increase to $120,000, furthermore, the

inc.ome for both Internet £,y.pre5s and the

10 March options

a-g with gaps

i ear

There are two baf,ic. general trendf,:

downwar and upward. As regards the

fir5t, the earning5 for The Tea \Zoom, ~ere

down over the ~ear, falling I ... ... .. .. .. from

alm05l ~O,OOO earning5 a month tO jU5t

under $50,000 in December,

B-t contrast, the inc.ome for ihc other thre.e

, ak5 went up b'j vat"(ing degrees, There

"las :2. ., ... ....... in Gafe c.ool' (') 5ale5 over

the fir~t ten month5, followed b'j a sudden

8 ••••

Wi-fi Gafe'J ............ in Duember. The

former ey.perienc.e.d 4 .... ... ..... to June, but

after Ihat, inc.ome rose S .. .. ..... ... ending

the ~ear at approy.imate\~ $1'30,000.

UKe\o ise, the trend for Wi-fi waf, upward,

Between Janua'1 to :ru\~, earnings

I. .... ........ from $')0,000 to nead'j $100,000

and I .. .......... to around $lqO,ooo.

It if, noticeable that the inc..ome fo r The

i ea \Zoom i5 lowel' in tne winter montho

than for the. olne.r tnree. c.afes.

1- 7 in Ib e model

text.

a I adily

b then rocketed

e doubled

d significant 11'

e also ended the

year lip

a steady fall

" il ris ' "

ur rT 1 Cill7.llge mId cOllSeqllellCl!s

•

Task 2 Understanding questions

1 Task 2 questions cOlltdin a gen eral subject and ofte n in cl ude a spe jfic

organizing word to help y ou organ ize your t:ssay. In each group a-d below,

'o.vhich organil'Z ing word has a different m e aning fx JJ1 th e lher two?

a ad\ anlages dr aw back s benefits

b measu res st eps reasons

c ause eHecls consequences

d disadvantages drawbacks solutions

2 Cmnpkt ~ e,lCh Task 2 question below v-'" liih organil.ing words 1t! n!)] th e b ox.

You may use each item more th an nce.

agree or disagree advantages

solutions measures

disadvan tages

benefits

causes

a What are the ~~~~0. .. of learning skills jn the mod rn vvodd?

b Any attempts to preserve the natural world will a lvva is h inder economic

developmenL. The benefit will howev r far outwe igh th e

.................. . Do you .................. ")

c What are the .................. and .................. of laking a eal" 0[[ b tween school

a n d univcrsit y?

d Stu dents sh ould be trained on how to ope wit h hange in the modern

world. How far do you .................. ?

e Volunteer work with disadvantaged groups like underprivileged children is

[he best way for you ng people to learn about th e real world. ' '''hat are the

.................. of such work ?

Every day, anim a ls are becoming extinct throughout the world. What do

you think the .................. of this are? What .................. can you uggest.

g Ov rcrowding in large cities h as always been a problem, but with

popula tions a ro und the w orld a out to double, the social problems are

certain to multiply. What ............ can yo u suggest to control th e problems.

3 How many p ans are [here in each question in 2? For example, (a) bas one

p art. If there are two or th ree p arts, how are they related?

• •• 9

-----...... Technique •

Identlf the type 01 •

que lion For cause/ -

-

10 •

Expressing solutions

4 Change is more rapid in the modem world than it was in th e pasl. umber

each category belov 1- 5 accord 'ing to how rapi dly each is changing in your

opinion (1 = most rapid; 5 = least rapid). Tltink of an example ofrapid

h ange for each category.

Work Technology Travel Communication Health

5 Look at the Task 2 question below and answer the question

Task2

Jou should spend about 40 minutes 0 11 this task.

Write about the following topic.

/.ore lind. /}l ore people claim tim" Hl '''''1 1\" rk pa tterns a re a SOlI/'ce of sl ress.

What do YOII think are the causes of this? Can you sllggest some possible

SOIIi/iolls'?

Give reasons for your anS'lver and inc/ude any relevant examplf!s from your own

knowledge or experienCe.

a Which part of the question states a problem?

b Which twO words in the que lion are important for the organization of your

answer?

6 Read the

conversation

bel ' een rw o

students d iscussing

the problem of stress

at work. w hich p art

of the question in 5

are they answering?

Wh at solutions

and results d o they

suggest?

7 This p aragraph

. suggests a solution

to [be Task 2

que llon in 5 .

Complete each gap

with the phrases in

a-f for p r Selliing

solutions, examples,

and res ults,

a A further step is to

b for example

Shen :

Tina:

Shen:

Ti na:

Shen:

Tina:

Shan:

Ti na:

How do you think people can deal with t heir

stressful lives, especially at w ork?

Firstly, I think employers should encou rage

workers to relax.

How?

Well. in som e com pa nies, gym facilities or

massage therapies are available.

Massage?

Yes. If you help your employees to relax, th is

improves their effi ciency and prod uction.

Are t here other solutions?

Of course. Employees cou ld be trai ned in

how to plan their ti me more effectively.

One w ay is to stop people taking w ork

home. And then the workplace w ill become

a lot happier.

1 .. .. .. ...... for employers to encourage workers to relax .

2 ......... " . , in some companies, gym facilities or

massage therapies are available. 3 .' .......... , this

improves their effiCiency and production. 4 .. .. .. . .. . .. train

employees in how to plan their time more effectively,

5 ............ , by stopping people taking work home.

6 ............ , the workplace will become a lot hapPier.

d As a result

I think the most obvious

solution is

e By doing this

For instance

UNIT 1 al1!J~ (/lId coIIseqllellCe!

&I

8 There axe several w ays to express sol utjons. Should is used for SIl'ong

suggestion s; could is used for possible sugge (ions. Other phrases can also be

used to express solutions. Read the example [rom 6 and 7 on page 10. Then

rewrite the sent ences in a- f.

Examples

Employers should eJ/courage workers to relax.

[ think the most obvious solution is/or employers to ncouTage workers [Q relax .

Employees could be [rai/led in how to plan their Lime more effectively.

A further step is to train employees in h ow [Q plan Ih eir lime more dfe [i vely.

a 1 think the most obvious solution is to encourage people to exercise more .

PeopleshouJd ......................................... , ............................. , ... ,.,. , ....... , .... , .......... , ... .

b The obvious answer is to reduce the number 0 wo rking hours,

The number of working hours ...... , .............. , ............ , ................................. , .......... .

c The government could provide each employee with their own computer.

One possibility is ....... , .............................................................................. ............. .... .

d One option is to persuade parents to spen d more time with [heir children.

Parents could .............. , ............................................ ................... , .. .. .............. ,

e A good idea is to restrict the number of ars coming into iries,

The number of cars coming into cities .... " . ....... ..... .. ,' .......................................... .

f The go emmenl should build more sky rapers to solve the problem.

A good idea is ..................................................................... " ........................ .

9 Which problems ('[modern life do (he SentenceS in S rein Ill?

overcrowding traffic congestion obesity

lack of discipline stress technology

10 Use·the following phrases (0 add re ults to the Solul ions ab ove. Use YOUT

own ideas an d words.

Example

a I think the most obvious solution is to encourage people to exerdse more ,

By doing this, they would lose weight and would feel better generally.

As a result, This would enable/help them to This would lead to

This means that they would By doing this, Consequently,

• •• 11