IELTS PracticeIELTS Academic Writing
Two tasks in sixty minutes: a report on visual information, and an essay.
- Time
- 60 min
- Tasks
- 2
- Task 1
- 150+ words
- Task 2
- 250+ words
The two tasks
Task 1 - about 20 minutes
Describe, summarise or explain information shown in a graph, table, chart, diagram, map or process, in at least 150 words. Report the main features and comparisons; don't give an opinion.
Task 2 - about 40 minutes
Write an essay of at least 250 words in response to a point of view, an argument or a problem. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1.
How it's marked
Each task is marked on four criteria, each worth a quarter of that task's band:
- Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Writing practice that feels like the exam
- Write in the browser with a live word count and a timer
- AI marks each criterion within minutes, quoting your own sentences
- Corrections for real mistakes in your answer, and a model answer to compare
- A teacher can review the mark and replace it
Quick wins
- Task 1: start with an overview of the main trends - it is what most separates a 5 from a 7.
- Task 1: pick the key figures and compare them; don't list every number.
- Task 2: spend five minutes planning, and answer every part of the question.
- Under the word limit loses marks; far over it rarely helps.
- Write Task 2 first if you tend to run out of time - it is worth more.
Academic Writing FAQ
How is my Writing band worked out?
Each task gets a band from its four criteria, and Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band.
Is the AI mark the same as an examiner's?
It is an estimate against the same four criteria - a guide to your level and what to fix, not an official score. A teacher can review it.
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