1. I followed your advice and used a 4-paragraph essay structure, so why didn't I get a higher score?
Good structure and organisation are important, but the expression of ideas is even more important. IELTS is a language test, so the key to a high score is to express relevant ideas using good language.
2. How many bands will I lose if I only write 130 words for task 1?
I can't give an exact answer to this. The examiner will give you a lower score for 'task achievement', but you might also lose marks for vocabulary - a shorter essay probably contains fewer examples of good language use.
3. Can I use 'double' like this: "The figure for X increased to nearly 20% in 1997, which almost doubled its initial rate in 2000."
The use of 'doubled' is ok, but I found the whole sentence a bit confusing, maybe because the years seem to be mixed up. Can anyone suggest a clearer way to write this sentence?
4. Can I use the word "skew" to describe numbers in task 1?
If you Google the word "skew" or "skewed", you'll see it used to describe numbers and data. However, it's only used in certain situations, and I've never used it in an IELTS essay. I wouldn't worry about this word if I were you.
5. Can I say "There were twice as many precipitation"?
No, you would need to write "There was twice as much precipitation" because 'precipitation' is an uncountable noun.
I would like to rewrite thrid article:
The figure for X almost doubled its initial rate in 2000 before an increase nearly 20% in 1997
Posted by: CAGRI | November 03, 2012 at 11:40
hey Simon,
I've been reading your blog for quite some while, and I dare to say yours is the best! Two thumbs up for you :)
how about this:
"The figure for X increased to nearly 20% in 1997, which was twice as much as its initial rate in 2000."
Simon, my teacher told me that in overview, we need to give clear view of the chart, e.g we describe the line -falls down, climbs up, fluctuates- and when i wrote the way you do (only 2 sentences), he told me to describe more and not to mention about the increase/decrease, not even to use those words, so yeah, i'm kinda confused here. I hope you'll reply soon.
Regards,
dee
Posted by: dee | November 03, 2012 at 13:38
GOD bless you Dear Simon
Your web blog is excellent, you teach lessons deeply , and I was very locky which find you.
Posted by: Setareh | November 03, 2012 at 15:08
I have recieved my result today . Thanks to Almighty ALLAH and SIMON . i have got my required band i.e 7 in each module in sixth ettempt finally.
Listening:7.5
Reading :7
writting :7.5
Speaking :8
Fellows please don,t give up.Follow what SIMON says .I followed his daily lessons ,e-book and courses.Really was a great help for me .I made a vocabulary note book from reading passages ,and tables for similar and opposite sentences .I completed cambridge books epeatedly and for writting tasks followed the pattern of SIMON, essays.GOOD LUCK.
Thanks once again SIMON .
Posted by: musharaf | November 03, 2012 at 15:40
Dear Simon,
At the outset I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you for all your efforts in helping the IELTS candidates like me.
I have got a question:
1) How can a non-native English speaker differ formal English from that of informal? Is it recommended to read regularly the websites like www.economist.com or www.theguardian.co.uk?
Are the structures below acceptable in IELTS writing?
"..........", the leader said.
"..........", quoted as saying.
"..........", he told people.
Posted by: azkad | November 03, 2012 at 16:17
dear simon
i've purchased your ebook and it really helped me to improve my writing and i get my required score.
thank you simon
Posted by: ilker koçak | November 04, 2012 at 09:54
hello ilker Kochak. What's the name of that book? and how much does it cost?
Posted by: Fira | November 04, 2012 at 10:05
I adapted of the sentence like this:
The figure of X increased to nearly 20 % in 1997 and there were twice as many X as in its initial rates in 2000.
Is it correct, I wonder????
Posted by: Fira | November 04, 2012 at 11:39
Hi Musharaf,congratulations!
i know how does it feel not having individual 7 in IELTS.in which center you sat for last exam?
how can i improve my writing?
Posted by: taher | November 04, 2012 at 12:48
hi musharaf, where did you take your ielts? I'm here in Abu dhabi. Is there anyone in here from the same place? I just want to know if examiners in the middle east are considerate and generous in giving scores.thanks
Posted by: Dave | November 04, 2012 at 16:32
hi fira
its simons ebook.it was about 20 pound or something. you can find it on this webite
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-ebook.html
Posted by: ilker koçak | November 04, 2012 at 17:55
Hey İlker,
Can you contact me please?
Thanks in advance.
[email protected]
Posted by: ASD | November 04, 2012 at 18:04
No SImon's lesson today.
very strange.I hope you are ok.
You are light for many students including me.
Posted by: xyz | November 04, 2012 at 20:11
Hi Simon,
I did not understand whether it experienced nearly 20 percent or 40 percent in 1997? It means it doubled in 2000 or 1997?
Is the sentence below correct?
Almost twice as much X there was in 2000 compared to 1997 with an increase of 20%.
Posted by: Azam-Iran | November 04, 2012 at 21:02
Hi Simon,
I'm just wondering if you have an ebook or a lesson for Writing task 1 Academic. I really have a problem on how to compose or make an essay writing task 1. Do you have any suggestion or advice? I'll be having my IELTS test this November 24 and I still have no clue on how to make an essay for writing 1.
Hope you will read my message.
Cheers,
Jo-an
Posted by: jo-an | November 04, 2012 at 21:35
@ JO-an,
There is no book for Task-1 writing, but you can search this site for hints and methods. There is separate tab on left side for different task and modules, or just open the below link, and come in descending order.
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-writing-task-1/page/4/
Simon is busy and hope he don't mind for my post.
Hope this help you, Jo-an.
Thank you,
HP
Posted by: HP | November 05, 2012 at 03:33
hi Dave and Tahir,
i appeared in LIVERPOOL in all six attempts.All examiners can be generous to you ,if you avoid mistakes and follow the question .SIMON,S e-book is really a great help for ideas and vocabulary.Try to write down introductions of atleast 20 task1 of all four types and 20 f0r task2.I also studied all essays of this website deeply and understood the format of a sentence.it really improves.
Posted by: musharaf | November 05, 2012 at 10:00
FROM SIMON:
For question 3 above, Dee's sentence looks like the clearest to me (but I think the dates need to be swapped around):
"The figure for X increased to nearly 20% in 2000, which was twice as much as its initial rate in 1997."
...
Dee,
There are several ways to write a good essay. My approach works, and maybe your teacher's approach works too. You just need to choose a way of writing that you are comfortable with.
...
Hi Musharaf,
Congratulations on finally getting the scores you need - well deserved! Thanks for the recommendation.
...
Hi Azkad,
Yes, reading those kinds of things will help, as will reading my lessons and the samples in the Cambridge IELTS books.
Your structures are fine. I think the second one needs to be: "..........", he was quoted as saying.
Posted by: Simon | November 07, 2012 at 16:59
Mr Simon,
Can you please tell me that the sentence given below is correct or incorrect.
Afer looking at the above, human being must work harder to safeguard all forms of life.
Posted by: ZIAUL HUDA | November 08, 2012 at 18:06
Hi Simon,
Not sure if you can help, but I am really struggling to get anything above 7.5 for the writing module.
I am wondering how much a tester will be penalised for writing 300 plus words in the General Training Task 2 module?
Frankly, I am very confused as to why my essay is good/ comparable to the model essays. The only aspect I can see, is the length of my essay.
Thanks.
Posted by: Angela | November 09, 2012 at 04:54
Dear Simon,
Thanks for the correction. I just followed as written in your first post. I just noticed there was an error, and perhaps you might like to swap the year as well:
(3. Can I use 'double' like this: "The figure for X increased to nearly 20% in 1997, which almost doubled its initial rate in 2000.")
Thank you for your reply. I was really delighted. I've been silent reader all the time, and i'd like to speak up more here :)
Warm Regards,
Dee
Posted by: Dee | December 17, 2012 at 15:10
I think the sentence can be modified as follows:
The figure for X increased to nearly 20% in 1997, which almost doubled compared to its initial rate.
Posted by: MAHDI | July 17, 2019 at 04:31