Writing - Most challenging section of IELTS

The tasks in the IELTS Writing module are different depending on whether you are doing the Academic or General Training format. However, most of these IELTS tips by Shiksha IELTS Coaching in Ahmedabad are relevant to both. Time is the big enemy in the IELTS Writing test. You need to be able to manage your time very well if you are to complete both tasks to the best of your ability.

Task 1 accounts for one third of the marks and Task 2 the remaining two thirds. You should therefore spend 20 minutes on task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2. 

Points to remember:

§  Read the instructions carefully - If you do not fulfill the requirements of the task you will be penalised. Allow yourself some time to plan your ans wer. You need a well planned, coherent answer to get good scores.

§  Be focussed - If you do not respond to the topic, you will lose marks. If you don't answer the task that is set, or include information that is irrelevant, you will lose marks. Don't change the topic to something you are more familiar with (or have memorised).

§  Fulfill the requirements - You are required to write a minimum number of words - 150 for task 1 and 250 for task 2. If you write less than the minimum number you will be penalised. If you write more you will not be penalised but writing more may mean you don't have time to complete the other task. Ideally you should try to write the required number of words for both the tasks.

§  Ask for supplements - If you find you don't have enough room on the answer paper to complete your task, ask the invigilator for a supplement. There is no requirement to fit your entire script on the answer paper supplied, though this is usually sufficient. You will not be given any rough paper so use the question sheet for notes and planning. Anything you write on the question paper will not be used for assessment.

§  Do not try to memorise a 'model' answer - It is unlikely that you will have a task on the same topic and scripts that are memorised or plagiarised are easily detected by the examiner and will be penalised.

§  Write clearly - Although you won't be penalised for untidy writing, if the examiner can't read your script it will be marked down. Poor spelling, however, will be penalised.

§  Essentials - When writing your script remember that it will be marked by an examiner who is looking to see if you have fulfilled the requirements of the task, that your writing is coherent, that you have used the appropriate vocabulary and have a good range of sentence structures. The examiner will be looking to see how accurately you have managed these things.

§  Proof reading - If you finish both tasks before your time is up, do not waste the extra time. Use this time to check what you have written. Check carefully for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. Inaccuracy in these areas will lose you marks so time spent proofreading is time well spent.

Use these tips by best IELTS classes in Ahmedabad to ensure you get the IELTS Writing score you deserve!

SHIKSHA Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad, this Summer, we bring you new course “PTE Academic preparation course”.

PTE Academic is a computer-based academic English language test aimed at non-native English speakers wanting to study abroad. It tests Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

Preparing for PTE (Pearson Test of English) is no longer a distant dream. It is made possible through the unique preparation format provided by SHIKSHA PTE Coaching Classes in Ahmedabad and at affordable fees.

The very basics of PTE are taught in specific modules which are then subject to evaluations in order to test and perfect you. We provide the most comprehensive teaching classes for making you understand the nuances of the simple yet complicated test called the ‘PTE’.

Shiksha PTE Coaching:

Key Features

·       Basic reference material

·       48 hours of concept classroom lessons covering all areas of PTE

·       Extra Reading and Listening Practice supplement the coaching

·       Student mentoring

Support Features

·                 Customized practice schedule/timetable

·                 One- on-one evaluation of all the recorded Speaking Tasks and Writing Tasks

·                 Doubt solving with faculty

·                 Library

·                 Exhaustive Practice Material

·                 Headphones and Tapes for Listening and Recording

·                 Collection of books

Tests

·       Full-length paper tests

·       Simulated computer based tests (with speaking and writing tasks evaluation)

·       Tips and test taking strategies to crack the tests

Still confused how would so much be taught? Join it to experience it! Laced with all the expertise to do so, the teacher would be your true mentors in every sense of the word. 

GRE Verbal Study Tips from Shiksha coaching classes in ahmedabad

Know your vocabulary

There is no way around it. To do well on the GRE you must know your vocabulary. There are plenty of word lists that can help you get started. Also, make sure to learn how to go about learning GRE vocabulary. Reading through a word list simply won’t hack it, you’ve got to have vocabulary study strategies.

Speak GRE 

The verbal section is not filled with amusing writing. What you’ll get is dry, academic type of passages. The Text Completions (the fill-in-the-blank sentences) will also contain dry writing, much of which is complex and sophisticated. To really wrap your head around such writing, you must immerse yourself in GRE-level writing. This can be as simple as doing plenty of practice questions or reading from websites. Try and use GRE-level vocabulary as much as possible. So, don’t just learn the words in word lists but use them.

Learn Pace

All of us have been there—not being able to let go of that difficult question, burning minutes agonizing between (A) and (C). To do well on the test you must get a sense of pacing, so you don’t spend most of your time on just a few questions. Keep moving forward and come back to it later. To develop a sense of pacing, do plenty of practice sets.

Become a word detective

Everywhere you look, GRE words abound. Listen to some of the words characters use on television (I heard ‘subterfuge’ and ‘disingenuous’ recently); open your local newspaper. Of course, most of us are reluctant to looking up a word we see in writing. Now that you are prepping for the GRE, you need to think of yourself as word detective. Every time you see a word you don’t know, look it up!

Think as the test writers do 

To do well on the verbal section requires more than just knowing a lot of fancy words. You must make sure not to get trapped by the answer choices. Known as ‘distractors’, wrong answer choices are sneaky. Learn what makes wrong answer choices wrong and right answer choices right. You’ve got to think like the test makers! Of course, the typical reaction to missing a question is outright disbelief—how, we exclaim, can (B) be the correct answer. It is clearly (C). Such a response can lead us to harbor resentment to the test. We think the questions are arbitrary and unfair. Rather, figure out—in an equanimous manner (that’s GRE-speak for ‘cool-headed’)—why the correct answer was right, and why your original answer was wrong.

This blog is written by Jyoti Mulchandani, for more information on GRE coaching in Ahmedabad please visit our official website: Contact Shiksha