Sample Candidate Writing Scripts and Examiner Comments
Both the Academic and General Training W riting
Modules consist of two tasks, Ta sk 1 and Task
2. Each task is assessed independently. The
assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in
marking than Task 1.
Detailed performance descriptors h ave been
developed which describe written performance
at the nine IELTS bands. These descriptors
apply to both the Academic and General
Training Modules.
Task 1 scripts are assessed on the following
criteria:
• Task Achievement
• Coherence and Cohe sion
•Lexical R esource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Task 2 scripts are assessed on the following
criteria:
• Task Response
• Coherence and Cohe sion
•Lexical R esource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Candidates should note that scripts may be
penalised if they are a) under the m inimum word
length, b) partly or wholly plagiarised, c) not
written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet
points in any part of the response, or note form,
is not appropriate, etc.).
Task 1
Task Achievement
This c riterion assesses how appropriately,
accurately and relevantly the response fulfils the
requirements set out in the task, using the
minimum of 150 words.
Academic W riting Task 1 is a writing task which
has a defined input and a largely predictable
output. It is b asically an information-transfer task
which rela tes narrowly to the factual content of
an input diagram and not to speculated
explanations that lie outside the given data.
Coherence and Cohesion
This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity
and fluenc y of the mes sage: how the response
organises and links information, ideas and
language. Cohe rence 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 co nceptual and referential
relationships between and within sentences
clear.
Lexical Resource
This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary
the candidate has used and the accuracy and
appropriacy of that use in terms o f the spec ific
task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This criterion refers to the range and accurate
use of the candidate’s grammatical resource as
manifested in the candidate’s writing at sentence
level.
Task 2
Task R esponse
In both Academic and General Training Modules,
Task 2 requires the candidates 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 e vidence, and examples
may be draw n from the c andidates’ own
experience. Respo nses must be at least 250
words in length.
Writing scripts are marked by trained and
certificated IELTS examiners. Scores may be
reported as whole bands or half-bands.
On the next 18 pages you will find candidates’
answers to five sample Writing tasks. There a re
answers for each Writing task. Each answer has
been awarded a band score and is
accompanied by an examiner comment o n the
candidate’s performance for that task.
The examiners’ guidelines for marking the
Writing scripts are very detailed. There are
many different ways a candidate may
achieve a particular band score. The
candidates’ answers that follow should not
be regarded as definitive examples of any
particular band score.
Please refer to the public band descriptors
for Writing.
