IELTS-Simon-Writing-Task2-Lesson-1

Summary

This video lesson introduces a comprehensive IELTS Writing Task 2 training approach. The course emphasizes five key steps: understanding the task, breaking it down into manageable parts, developing effective methods, practicing consistently, and obtaining feedback. The focus is on writing a clear, organized essay that answers the question using strong vocabulary and structure. The instructor breaks down the essay into an ideal structure of 13 sentences—two for the introduction, five each for two main paragraphs, and one for the conclusion. The course also advocates for 10 minutes of planning before starting to write, ensuring a focused, efficient approach to the task.

Takeaways

• 😀 Training for IELTS Writing Task 2 involves five steps: understanding the task, breaking it into smaller parts, having methods for each part, practicing repeatedly, and receiving feedback.
• 😀 The first step in IELTS Writing Task 2 is understanding what the task requires, specifically writing an essay of at least 250 words within 40 minutes.
• 😀 There are four types of questions typically asked in IELTS Writing Task 2, all of which are based on universal topics such as family, health, education, and work.
• 😀 IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored using four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Vocabulary (Lexical Resource), and Grammar (Grammatical Range and Accuracy). Each criterion is worth 25%.
• 😀 Focus on improving Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, and Vocabulary for a quicker improvement in your IELTS Writing Task 2 score.
• 😀 It is suggested to break down the essay into four paragraphs: Introduction, two Main Paragraphs, and a Conclusion.
• 😀 A typical 250-word essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 should consist of about 13 sentences: 2 for the Introduction, 5 for each of the Main Paragraphs, and 1 for the Conclusion.
• 😀 The recommended time distribution for the 40 minutes in IELTS Writing Task 2 is: 5 minutes for the Introduction, 10 minutes for each Main Paragraph (20 minutes total), and 5 minutes for the Conclusion.
• 😀 Allocate 10 minutes for planning before writing the essay. While it may seem like a lot, planning helps organize thoughts and improves essay quality.
• 😀 The upcoming lessons in the course will focus on improving skills for writing Introductions, Main Paragraphs, Conclusions, and the planning process for different types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the IELTS Writing Task 2 course?

The main goal of the IELTS Writing Task 2 course is to train students in the essential steps needed to improve their writing skills, including understanding the task requirements, breaking the task into smaller parts, using effective methods, practicing consistently, and getting feedback to refine their skills.

What are the five key steps of IELTS writing training outlined in the course?

The five key steps of IELTS writing training are: 1) Understand the task requirements, 2) Break the task into manageable parts, 3) Develop a method for each part of the task, 4) Practice regularly, and 5) Get feedback on your writing.

How many words should an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay be?

An IELTS Writing Task 2 essay must be a minimum of 250 words. There is no maximum word count, but writing fewer than 250 words will result in a lower score.

How should students structure their IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?

The essay should be structured with four paragraphs: 1) An introduction (2 sentences), 2) A main paragraph 1 (5 sentences), 3) A main paragraph 2 (5 sentences), and 4) A conclusion (1 sentence). This structure helps keep the essay clear and concise.

What are the main criteria on which IELTS Writing Task 2 essays are graded?

IELTS Writing Task 2 essays are graded based on four criteria: 1) Task response (have you answered the question?), 2) Coherence and cohesion (is the essay logically organized?), 3) Vocabulary (lexical resource), and 4) Grammar (grammatical range and accuracy).

How much time is recommended for each section of the IELTS Writing Task 2?

It is recommended to spend 40 minutes on IELTS Writing Task 2. This includes 10 minutes for planning, 5 minutes for the introduction, 10 minutes for each of the two main body paragraphs, and 5 minutes for the conclusion.

Why is planning important for the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?

Planning is crucial as it helps organize your thoughts and ensures that you address all aspects of the question effectively. Spending 10 minutes on planning can save time later and help create a clear structure for your essay.

What is the suggested number of sentences for each paragraph in a 250-word IELTS essay?

For a 250-word IELTS essay, the recommended number of sentences is: 2 sentences for the introduction, 5 sentences for each of the two main body paragraphs, and 1 sentence for the conclusion. This adds up to about 13 sentences in total.

What should students focus on to improve their IELTS Writing Task 2 score quickly?

Students should focus on improving their task response, coherence and cohesion, and vocabulary. These areas are easier to improve quickly compared to grammar, which tends to improve gradually over time.

How does the course suggest handling the introduction and conclusion in IELTS Writing Task 2?

The course suggests keeping the introduction short with just 2 sentences and the conclusion even shorter with only 1 sentence. This allows students to focus more on developing strong main body paragraphs, which are key to a high score.