Tech Notes

Test Overview

Task	Genre	Words	Time	Weight
Task 1 (Academic)	Data description — graph / chart / process / map	≥ 150	20 min	1/3
Task 1 (GT)	Letter	≥ 150	20 min	1/3
Task 2 (both)	Argumentative essay	≥ 250	40 min	2/3

Four Marking Criteria (each 0–9, averaged)

Task Achievement / Response
Coherence & Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range & Accuracy

Progress

Group	Chapters	Done / Total
Task 1 Academic	01–07	7 / 7
Task 1 GT Letters	08–10	3 / 3
Task 2 Essay Types	11–15	5 / 5
Cross-cutting Skills	16–23	8 / 8
Overall	01–23	23 / 23

Chapter Map

Each chapter covers one task type or sub-skill end-to-end: knowledge points, structure template, vocabulary and grammar toolkit, common pitfalls, one full practice prompt, a band-7.5+ model answer, annotated commentary, and a self-check.

Task 1 Academic — Line Graph

Trend verbs · tense · overview rule · comparison structures

✅ Done

Task 1 Academic — Bar Chart

Highest/lowest framing · grouping logic · percentage vs. absolute

✅ Done

Task 1 Academic — Pie Chart

Proportion vocabulary · accounted-for language · multi-pie comparison

✅ Done

Task 1 Academic — Table

Selecting features · avoid copying all rows · ranking language

✅ Done

Task 1 Academic — Process Diagram

Passive voice · sequencing connectors · present simple

✅ Done

Task 1 Academic — Map

Past vs. present tense · spatial prepositions · directional verbs

✅ Done

Task 1 Academic — Mixed Charts

Linking two visuals · transition paragraph

✅ Done

Task 1 GT — Formal Letter

✅ Done

Task 1 GT — Semi-formal Letter

Tone calibration · conditional softening

✅ Done

Task 1 GT — Informal Letter

Contractions · phrasal verbs · warm sign-off

✅ Done

Task 2 — Opinion (Agree/Disagree)

Thesis precision · to-what-extent framing · one-sided vs. balanced

✅ Done

Task 2 — Discussion (Both Views)

Steel-manning each side · embedded opinion

✅ Done

Task 2 — Problem / Solution

Cause analysis · realistic scoped solutions

✅ Done

Task 2 — Advantages / Disadvantages

Weighing argument · outweigh framing

✅ Done

Task 2 — Two-Part Question

Splitting the prompt · balanced paragraphing

✅ Done

Paraphrasing the Prompt

Lexical and syntactic transformation · avoiding copying

✅ Done

Thesis Statement Toolkit

4 thesis templates that work across types

✅ Done

Topic Sentences and PEEL

Point-Evidence-Explanation-Link paragraph spine

✅ Done

Cohesive Devices Used Sparingly

When linkers help vs. when they crowd

✅ Done

Lexical Upgrades

Common to academic substitutions (big → significant, people → individuals)

✅ Done

Complex Grammar for Band 7+

Conditionals · inversion · relative clauses · cleft sentences

✅ Done

Editing and Proofreading

90-second post-write checklist

✅ Done

Common Examiner Deductions

Memorised phrases · off-topic · no overview · underlength

✅ Done

How to Use This Guide

Work through Task 1 Academic (01–07) first — they share the same overview-and-body structure.
Tackle Task 2 types (11–15) after learning the cross-cutting toolkit (16–23), or interleave them.
For each chapter: read the Knowledge Points and Structure Template, then attempt the Practice Prompt under timed conditions before reading the model answer.
Study the Annotated Commentary to see exactly which phrases earn marks — then rewrite your own attempt incorporating those techniques.
Run the Self-Check after each chapter. If you cannot answer all three prompts from memory, re-read the relevant section before moving on.

IELTS Writing — Master Guide

Test Overview

Four Marking Criteria (each 0–9, averaged)

Progress

Chapter Map

How to Use This Guide