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Description
An activity which uses the handbook and a sample writing paper to introduce the Writing
paper
Time required: 30 minutes
Additional § page 9 of IELTS handbook
materials
required:
Aims: § to give students an overview of the General Training Writing paper.
Procedure
1. Ask students to share with the class what they know about the General Training
Writing paper. Explain that you will accept any information at this stage, whether it is
correct or incorrect, and that they must decide if it is correct later. Write their ideas in
note form on the board under three headings: the paper as a whole, task 1 and task
2.
2. Hand out the sample paper to half the class and the handbook page 9 about General
Training Writing to the other half. Ask students to look through their sample paper or
handbook page and discuss with their partner which task they think would be easier
for them and why.
3. Put students into pairs with one partner from each half of the class. Hand out the
worksheet. Students complete it in their pairs, sharing the information they each
have.
4. Whole class check and discussion of worksheet.
5. Ask students to correct any wrong information on the board, and add any missing
information so that there is a complete summary on the board.
© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom use provided no charge is made. For further
information see our Terms of Use at http://www.teachers.cambridgeESOL.org/ts/legalinfo
Key to Classroom Activity
1. Candidates choose which task they would like to answer.
False – there are two tasks and they must complete both of them.
2. Task 1 is always a personal letter.
True. The letter may be informal, semiformal or formal but it is always personal.
3. Task 2 is a piece of discursive writing
True. Candidates have to discuss a topic by writing a general composition.
4. Task two instructions are always the same.
False. The instructions may be to discuss the topic by providing general factual
information, outlining a problem and presenting a solution, justifying an opinion, or
evaluating ideas and evidence.
5. Both tasks have to be at least 200 words.
False. Task 1 must be at least 150 words. Task 2 must be at least 250 words.
Answers which are shorter than this will be penalised.
6. Both tasks are marked according to the same criteria.
False. Three of the criteria are the same for both tasks:
Coherence and Cohesion – the clarity and fluency of the message
Lexical Resource – the range of vocabulary
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – how accurate and varied the grammar is
But one is different:
Task 1: Task Achievement – how appropriately, accurately and relevantly the
response meets the requirements of the task
Task 2: Task Response – how fully and relevantly the response is expressed,
developed and supported in relation to the question or statement.
7. The examiner assesses each task separately.
True.
8. Task 2 is worth more marks than task 1.
True. Candidates should divide the time accordingly, spending longer on Task 2
(approx. 40 minutes) than on Task 1 (20 minutes).
9. Candidates must answer task 1 first.
False. Candidates can answer either task first. They must write them on separate
pages of the answer booklet and clearly number them.
10. Candidates need to write addresses in task 1.
False. All other standard letter features, e.g. opening and closing expressions,
paragraphing, should be included except for addresses.
© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom use provided no charge is made. For further
information see our Terms of Use at http://www.teachers.cambridgeESOL.org/ts/legalinfo
12. Candidates must write their answers in the answer booklet.
True. Candidates can write notes on the question paper but the actual answers must
be in the answer booklet.
© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom use provided no charge is made. For further
information see our Terms of Use at http://www.teachers.cambridgeESOL.org/ts/legalinfo
Read these statements and answer true or false for each one.
1. Candidates choose which task they would like to answer.
2. Task 1 is always a personal letter.
3. Task 2 is a piece of discursive writing.
4. Task 2 instructions are always the same.
5. Both tasks have to be at least 200 words.
6. Both tasks are marked according to the same criteria.
7. The examiner assesses each task separately.
8. Task 2 is worth more marks than task 1.
9. Candidates must answer task 1 first.
10. Candidates need to write addresses in task 1.
11. Candidates should add their own examples in task 2.
12. Candidates must write their answers in the answer booklet.
© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom use provided no charge is made. For further
information see our Terms of Use at http://www.teachers.cambridgeESOL.org/ts/legalinfo