IELTS passers with 7.5 &up score in Writing test, please help!

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As per advice by Ms. Silverdragon, I'd like to start this thread and ask for help to those IELTS takers who took and passed their Writing test with scores of 7.5 and above. I'm in great distress right now. I took my IELTS and passed everything, except Writing. (6.5 - WRITING!!!:angryfire)

I really don't know how I failed this. I always though I'm good in expressing myself through writing. Anyway, I hope someone here who passed his/her writing (score of 7.5 & up) can give me some lectures or tips how to score well on this test. I only have 31 days left before my next IELTS and i really hope i wont fail this time. im AU-bound so i need 7.

Also, I sought Scotts English's service. It's informative and helpful but, ufortunately, not enough to pass my writing. Its case to case basis anyway, might help you, but not me (things like that)

Please, please, please I need your help guys. Thanks.

Hotpotato101,

Try to make 5 paragraphs consisting of 2-3 sentences.You should state, for example on the:

1 paragraph

Introduction-

There have been established facts about the harmful effects of smoking to our health. These established facts are being questioned by skeptics. Furthermore, in my essay I am going to write the advantages and disadvantages of allowing smoking inside a restaurant..

2nd Paragrapah

Body

state the advantages

3rd paragraph

Body

state the disadvantages

4th paragraph

Body

does the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or otherwise? Support your answer..

Conclusion:

Therefore, I conclude or begin your sentence with "to sum up... what do you support more, the advantages or the disadvantages of allowing smoking inside the restaurant.. support your answers..

Hope this helps!! God bless..

Surely! That would be of great help. Thanks! :up:

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hi hotpotato don't get offended it is one way that our grammar are corrected which we don't realise though that it is a wrong grammar, they are trying to help...:wink2:I would take it as a constructive criticism..peace:up:

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hi guys i found by chance this free IELTS practise modules..please check http://www.ipass.uk.net/index.php/ipass/

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hi hotpotato don't get offended it is one way that our grammar are corrected which we don't realise though that it is a wrong grammar, they are trying to help...:wink2:I would take it as a constructive criticism..peace:up:

Hi michaRN,

Thanks for your concern. But as you can appreciate, grammar is my least priority now. As far as i know (based on people who passed their writing test 7.5 up who have seen my works) , poor construction, few connecting words, and failure to answer the question are the reasons why i got 6.5 in my writing test. With only 20 days left before my next test, those are things i give more focus on. Also in my honest opinion, my English, though it's not perfect, will get me through the test.

Besides, what solida_gump is doing is she just corrects the grammar, she doesn't give any further explanation to support her claims. Like the rules of using adjectives, nouns, whatsoever. It's not easy to apply such things if all they give are examples with no explanation at all.

and if you happen to see her original post with "just for fun" quote, you wouldn't want to welcome such criticism.

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" i just hope they can find work before their visa expires. and please update us if your friends managed to find work. thanks! "

recommended grammar usage:

- before their visas expire ( present tense , dangerous )

or

- before their visa expired ( past tense, safe )

or

- before their visas expired ( past tense , safe )

actually, the only thing that can be used here is the first one. the last two that you mentioned would really make the sentence incorrect. the idea has not happened yet so why would you use a past tense? just a thought. :)

anyway, let's try to give other pointers for her apart from the really minor corrections. :)

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For the record, I also think its inappropriate. I just didn't said anything coz I might be wrong. :p I even checked the internet to clarify his statement and mine. Thanks for the clarification sis. I definitely trust you more than her. :)

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For the record, I also think its inappropriate. I just didn't said anything coz I might be wrong. :p I even checked the internet to clarify his statement and mine. Thanks for the clarification sis. I definitely trust you more than her. :)

Hehe.. np sis :) I'm no expert too but that is just my opinion. :)

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Honestly, its my observation too. I think because she used the past form when the event has not occurred yet. Anyway i'm not sure about this as well so i still have to confirm this. But i agree with your thought. :up:

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And no offense meant but what she's doing won't really help me with my problem. The lesson about grammar and sentence is a broad topic and lots of things are to be considered. She can't just state what's wrong with my grammar and usage without telling the principle behind it.

Anyway, let's get back to the topic. Enough said.

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Oh btw, I've read somewhere that you'll be taking your exam soon? Best of luck! I hope you get the score you need. :)

Anyway, I have come up with the following to somehow help you:

1. Make sure you limit your ideas to 1 idea per paragraph.

2. Try to use appropriate words or phrases to connect your ideas - most importantly in conclusion and in-between paragraphs.

3. If you are asked to compare ideas, it would be good to use a general introduction for both ideas then just elaborate the pros and cons in the body. And finally, state your stand in the conclusion.

4. If you are asked to state whether you disagree or agree with the argument, I would really focus on your stand for the whole essay instead of wasting paragraphs for ideas that would not really support your specific stand. This would really depend on your style and the argument so it is up to you. :)

5. Your introduction is an overview of what your whole essay is about and would not need to be too long - 3-4 sentences should be fine.

6. The conclusion would restate the main idea discussed in the introduction or simply to say your stand in the argument. However, it is not merely stated as agreeing or disagreeing. You have to include briefly the key points you have discussed in your body for this part.

7. Use simple yet significant examples to strengthen your points for the arguments.

8. Try to keep your explanations simple and straight to the point, instead of going around the bush.

9.Try to write as nice as you can because if they can't read what you've written there, you'll be penalised.

10. Make sure you try to count the words you've written. If you fall short of the required number of words, you'll be penalised too.

This is just how I did it and hopefully would help you a bit. :)

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Don't make same primary school level grammar mistakes in your exam and if you do - they might give you the same mark as before or even lower.

I wish you all the best and good luck with your exam !

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" 3. if you are asked to compare ideas, it would be good to use a general introduction for both ideas then just elaborate the pros and cons in the body. and finally, state your stand in the conclusion."

recommendation:

" 3. if you are asked to compare ideas, it would be good to use a general introduction for both ideas rather than just elaborate the pros and cons in the body. and finally, state your stand in the conclusion."

----------------------------------------------

" 4. if you are asked to state whether you disagree or agree with the argument, i would really __?_ focus on your stand for the whole essay instead of wasting paragraphs for ideas that would not really support your specific stand. this would really depend on your style and the argument so it is up to you."

recommendation:

4. if you are asked to state whether you disagree or agree with the argument, i would really like you to focus on your stand for the whole essay instead of wasting paragraphs for ideas that would not really support your specific stand. this would really depend on your style and the argument so it is up to you."

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"9.try to write as nice as you can because if they can't read what you've written there, you'll be penalised.

10. make sure you try to count the words you've written. if you fall short of the required number of words, you'll be penalised too."

recommendation:

"9.try to write as nice as you can because if they can't read what you've written there, you'll be penalized.

10. make sure you try to count the words you've written. if you fall short of the required number of words, you'll be penalized too."

solida_gump, the corrections you made are really unnecessary.

3. rather than.... i'm not trying to tell her to use a general idea rather than the pros and cons. if you understood the "idea" of the sentence, it meant that she should discuss the general idea in the introduction "then", which means "after", she can discuss the pros and cons in the body. :) read carefully and try to understand it first. :)

4. actually, yes i forgot something lol... which is "recommend you to" :)

9. "s" in penalised is the version for british english which is actually used in australia. :D

i am not an expert for that language, and i don't really mind being corrected, however, i would appreciate it more if the corrections made were accurate and not misleading. :)

sometimes, looking for errors just to make something look bad and hoping the person would feel bad or ashamed is really an act of desperation - really a waste of time. :)

but it would be hard to make someone feel bad if he/she knows that he/she is imperfect - we all make mistakes. ;)

anyway, good luck sis hotpotato! :)

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