My question regarding Writing

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blacxx
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 11:03 am

My question regarding Writing

Post by blacxx »

Hello, I am a test taker from Asia. I got 5.5 from writing twice. So, my question is "Can it be possibly that my handwriting affected the score?"

And, what exactly is the term for "overall trend" when it comes to the summary of writing task I?


Thank you :)
Luma7
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed May 13, 2015 12:33 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by Luma7 »

Hi blacxx

If your handwriting is not clear enough you could be penalised for that.

Regarding overall trend,
Here you give the main feature of the graph without details or numbers.
Two sentences would be enough.

For example,
Overall, it can be seen that the sales of xxxx were the highest. In addition, yyyy experienced a rapid growth in their sales.

I hope that would help you
I keep getting 6 in writing :(
L8 R7 (W6) S7
Saturday 16th of may
L 8 R 7.5 WRITING 7.5 S 7.5
Thanks to Ryan's writing blog :)
blacxx
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by blacxx »

That's very helpful Luma!

Thank you so much :)

I got 7 on listening test and speaking, 7.5 for reading.

So if you need help please be free to let me know!
Luma7
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed May 13, 2015 12:33 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by Luma7 »

Thank you actually my problem is with writing

I got 7 in speaking and reading
And 8 in lestining
6 in writing :(

I am waiting for my result, i hope i did well last Saturday.
L8 R7 (W6) S7
Saturday 16th of may
L 8 R 7.5 WRITING 7.5 S 7.5
Thanks to Ryan's writing blog :)
blacxx
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by blacxx »

Good luck!

Can I please have another question? How can you group the information when writing task I?
Luma7
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed May 13, 2015 12:33 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by Luma7 »

Sure
i think the best way is to look for the highest and lowest figures first.
Then, you may find two similiar trends, for example, there was a significant increase in the sales of x and y, reaching just over £6 billion and around £9 billion, respectively.

Maybe i didn't explain it clearly!
L8 R7 (W6) S7
Saturday 16th of may
L 8 R 7.5 WRITING 7.5 S 7.5
Thanks to Ryan's writing blog :)
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OnlineEnglishTeacher
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Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by OnlineEnglishTeacher »

blacxx wrote:Hello, I am a test taker from Asia. I got 5.5 from writing twice. So, my question is "Can it be possibly that my handwriting affected the score?"

And, what exactly is the term for "overall trend" when it comes to the summary of writing task I?


Thank you :)
You can send us a link of your handwriting to check it, if you want.
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Skype IELTS Teacher (All Sections) - Try For $1 / Also, IELTS Writing Correction (Upload): $1 Demo - Skype ID = "ieltsonlineenglishteacher"
blacxx
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by blacxx »

OnlineEnglishTeacher wrote:
blacxx wrote:Hello, I am a test taker from Asia. I got 5.5 from writing twice. So, my question is "Can it be possibly that my handwriting affected the score?"

And, what exactly is the term for "overall trend" when it comes to the summary of writing task I?


Thank you :)
You can send us a link of your handwriting to check it, if you want.

Thank you :)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_rI-z ... sp=sharing Here it is
David.IELTS.Examiner
IELTS Examiner
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Posts: 1371
Joined: Tue May 05, 2015 4:34 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by David.IELTS.Examiner »

Hello!
Ah, the 'bad handwriting' question! My handwriting is pretty terrible, so I'm happy to say that it is unlikely to have an effect on your score. If an examiner cannot read your handwriting, he/she must ask for it to be marked by another examiner. In cases where an examiner cannot read an individual word, they should ask another examiner to see if they can read it. If not, the word will simply be skipped over.

I can safely say that I have never been unable to read an essay - perhaps because my own writing is so bad! I can read the sample you provided very easily!

For examiners, the word for 'overall trend' is 'overview'. All academic Task 1 reports should have one. For data questions, this should cover the main trends or key figures. For processes, it should deal with the main stages or aspects of the process. With maps, look for the key changes or developments.
blacxx
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 11:03 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by blacxx »

David.IELTS.Examiner wrote: Hello!
Ah, the 'bad handwriting' question! My handwriting is pretty terrible, so I'm happy to say that it is unlikely to have an effect on your score. If an examiner cannot read your handwriting, he/she must ask for it to be marked by another examiner. In cases where an examiner cannot read an individual word, they should ask another examiner to see if they can read it. If not, the word will simply be skipped over.

I can safely say that I have never been unable to read an essay - perhaps because my own writing is so bad! I can read the sample you provided very easily!

For examiners, the word for 'overall trend' is 'overview'. All academic Task 1 reports should have one. For data questions, this should cover the main trends or key figures. For processes, it should deal with the main stages or aspects of the process. With maps, look for the key changes or developments.

Thats very helpful. I am really appreciate that.
But, can you please tell me what are differences between task I report and data questions?
David.IELTS.Examiner
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Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by David.IELTS.Examiner »

Hi blacxx,
There are 3 kinds of Task 1 report - data (pie charts, line charts, bar charts, tables), processes (linear or circular usually) and maps (usually illustrating past and present or present and future).
David
IAAO
Posts: 30
Joined: Tue May 19, 2015 9:11 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by IAAO »

David.IELTS.Examiner wrote:Hi blacxx,
There are 3 kinds of Task 1 report - data (pie charts, line charts, bar charts, tables), processes (linear or circular usually) and maps (usually illustrating past and present or present and future).
David
Yes as David said , the overall view depends on the type of the task 1. For example ,
In table you can write , it can clearly be seen that there was a gradual decline in the number of sales xx . Mention the most striking change

In the line and bar chart the same write the change specially if it is within a timeframe .

In process you can say , the process goes through five different stages
Or for ex. It is noticeable that the first two steps occur in xx while the others .....
So , the idea is that outline the main features of the process

In map , as David say , compare the change in relating to the time .
For ex. It is clear that , in the past twenty years , large areas of farming lands were replaced by new infrastructure projects .

DO NOT put any minor details , for example numbers

You can put the overall view in either the introduction or conclusion , but many tutors advice to write it in introduction because many people could forget it with the pressure of the time .

Sorry I think this place is to ask the ielts tutor an am not a tutor . But this was onr of my main problems and it helped me a lot to increase my band score from 5.5 to 6.5 , that's why I am sharing with you .

Best ,
PreciousCharmRN
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:04 am

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by PreciousCharmRN »

hello! My problem is also with the writing task. :( i got a 6.5 in the academic module last year, and this coming june 27, i'll be retaking the exam. Any suggestions that you can share to improve my score? I would gladly appreciate it.
David.IELTS.Examiner
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Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by David.IELTS.Examiner »

Hi Precious,
Moving from 6.5 to 7 usually requires a much higher standard of grammar (few basic errors and a wide variety of both simple and complex sentence structures). You will probably need to develop your answers more too. This means extending the key points and ensuring that there is nothing irrelevant in your answer. You may also need to use a wider variety of connectives and perhaps a few specialised words/phrases.
David
terry3218
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:34 pm

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by terry3218 »

David.IELTS.Examiner wrote:Hi Precious,
Moving from 6.5 to 7 usually requires a much higher standard of grammar (few basic errors and a wide variety of both simple and complex sentence structures). You will probably need to develop your answers more too. This means extending the key points and ensuring that there is nothing irrelevant in your answer. You may also need to use a wider variety of connectives and perhaps a few specialised words/phrases.
David
Hi David, always great to read your insights. I was hoping may be you could also briefly explain what's the difference between band 7.5 and 8 in general writing task 1?

Regards
David.IELTS.Examiner
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Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by David.IELTS.Examiner »

Hi Precious,
That's actually sometimes a tough question even for examiners!
The task response is VERY developed. The examiner is looking for insightful arguments made very clearly. This is where knowledge of the topic (general, not specialised) becomes quite important (not at bands 5-6 as many candidates believe). A wide range of cohesive devices are used so well that sometimes you hardly notice them. For example, read a text (e.g. in New Scientist or The Economist) and highlight the cohesive devices. Then read again and you'll likely find several more. That's what the examiner is looking for.
However, the keys are with vocabulary and grammar. Grammar is near perfect across a wide range of structures. Vocabulary makes extensive use of less common and idiomatic items with few mistakes.
All the best,
David
terry3218
Posts: 107
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:34 pm

Re: My question regarding Writing

Post by terry3218 »

David.IELTS.Examiner wrote:Hi Precious,
That's actually sometimes a tough question even for examiners!
The task response is VERY developed. The examiner is looking for insightful arguments made very clearly. This is where knowledge of the topic (general, not specialised) becomes quite important (not at bands 5-6 as many candidates believe). A wide range of cohesive devices are used so well that sometimes you hardly notice them. For example, read a text (e.g. in New Scientist or The Economist) and highlight the cohesive devices. Then read again and you'll likely find several more. That's what the examiner is looking for.
However, the keys are with vocabulary and grammar. Grammar is near perfect across a wide range of structures. Vocabulary makes extensive use of less common and idiomatic items with few mistakes.
All the best,
David
Thanks a lot, David.
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