A Former Examiner's Beginner's Guide to IELTS Writing: Test Format, Sample Questions, and Essential Study Strategies

When deciding to take the IELTS exam, the "Writing" section is often the biggest source of anxiety for many learners.

"I don't think I can get the score I need for studying abroad (Band 6.0–6.5)."

"I can't even imagine what kind of questions will be on the test."

Do you share these concerns? The truth is, IELTS Writing is not a test of innate "talent" but more like a puzzle where you write according to specific "scoring criteria (rules)."

In this article, drawing on the expertise of ELT, where former IELTS examiners work, we will explain the test structure, provide concrete examples of past questions, and outline a study method for beginners to reach their target score in the shortest time possible.

What You'll Learn in This Article

• Test Overview: Time allocation, word count, and the differences between the computer-delivered and paper-based tests
• Sample Questions: See what types of graphs and topics actually appear
• Scoring Criteria: What do former examiners look for when grading your paper?
• Study Method: A 3-step approach you can start today

1. IELTS Writing: The Basics

The Writing test consists of two tasks.

[Table 1] IELTS Writing Test Overview

Advice from a Former Examiner:

The biggest mistake beginners make is spending too much time on Task 1. Since Task 2 is worth twice as many points, it's a golden rule to move on to Task 2 after 20 minutes, even if you haven't finished Task 1.

2. What Kind of Questions Appear? (Sample Questions by Module)

IELTS has two modules: "Academic" (for higher education) and "General Training" (for immigration/work), and the content of Task 1 differs significantly between them.

Task 1: Objectively Reporting Facts (20 minutes)

[Academic Module] Describing Visual Information

You will summarize objective facts from a graph, chart, or map. You should not include any personal opinions like "I think..."

• Sample Question:

  The chart below shows the number of men and women in further education in Britain in three periods and whether they were studying full-time or part-time.

  (The chart below shows the number of men and women in higher education in the UK and the trends in their full-time vs. part-time enrollment. Please summarize and report the main features.)

[General Training Module] Letter Writing

You will write a letter appropriate for a given situation to a friend, landlord, manager, etc.

• Sample Question:

  You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it did not work. Write a letter to the shop manager.

  (You recently bought a kitchen appliance that did not work. Write a letter to the store manager explaining the problem and stating what you would like them to do.)

Task 2: Logically Presenting an Opinion (40 minutes) *Same for both modules

[Both Modules] Essay Writing

You will logically present your opinion on a social topic. This task tests your ability to persuasively explain "why you think so" in response to a question with no single right answer.

• Sample Question:

  Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

  (Some people believe that stricter punishments for traffic violations are the key to reducing accidents, while others think different measures would be more effective. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.)

3. What Examiners Look For: The 4 Scoring Criteria

This is the most important part. IELTS is not graded based on an examiner's "feeling" but is systematically scored according to four publicly available criteria.

1. Task Achievement / Response

   What they look for: Have you answered all parts of the question? (For Task 2, did you address "both views" and "your own opinion"?)

2. Coherence & Cohesion

   What they look for: Are the paragraphs structured properly? Does the argument flow logically? Are connecting words like "Firstly" and "However" used naturally?

3. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

   What they look for: Are you repeating the same words (e.g., good, bad, think) over and over? Are you using natural collocations (word combinations) suitable for the topic?

4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy

   What they look for: Are you using complex sentences with relative clauses or conditionals, not just simple sentences? How few errors are there?

Advice from a Former Examiner:

Beginners often try to use "difficult vocabulary (Lexical Resource)" and end up making mistakes. However, when aiming for Band 6.0, the most important criteria are Task Achievement (answering the question) and Coherence & Cohesion (paragraph structure). If you focus on these two, your score won't suffer greatly.

4. A 3-Step Study Method for Beginners

Jumping straight into writing will only lead to frustration. Follow these steps instead.

Step 1: Internalize the "Structure (Template)"

IELTS Writing has a set structure. Don't write in your own style; first, learn the template.

• Task 1 Structure: Introduction (Paraphrase) → Overview → Detail 1 → Detail 2
• Task 2 Structure: Introduction (State Opinion) → Body 1 (Reason 1) → Body 2 (Reason 2) → Conclusion

Step 2: Transcribe Model Answers (Without a Timer)

Try copying the "Model Answers" found at the back of the official practice materials. This will help you internalize the rhythm of the writing, such as "Oh, I can use this expression," or "This is how I should structure my paragraphs."

Step 3: Get Professional Feedback

This is the fastest way to improve. Writing is a subject where it's impossible to grade your own work accurately.

You can't notice expressions that are "grammatically correct but sound unnatural to a native speaker" through self-study.

For Those Serious About Improving Their Score: Why You Need Guidance from a Former Examiner

To achieve your target score in IELTS Writing, the most crucial thing is to understand how an examiner perceives your current writing.

• Is your structure good, but your vocabulary unnatural?
• Is your English clean, but your argument off-topic?

This is something that standard textbooks or AI-powered correction tools cannot accurately assess.

Why Choose ELT

At ELT, all instructors are native English speakers, and many are former IELTS examiners or hold qualifications in English language teaching.

• An Examiner's Perspective: Instructors who know the "inside story" of the scoring criteria will correct your essay from an examiner's point of view.
• Expertise in Common Learner Pitfalls: They are skilled at identifying and correcting issues common among non-native speakers, such as "directly translated" English and gaps in logic.

Instead of struggling with self-study for months, why not start by getting a professional's perspective?