Task 1
Task 2
Task 1 — Describe, not interpret
Describe what you see. Key language: "The chart shows...", "There was a significant increase in...", "X peaked at..."
Task 2 — Structure is everything
Clear structure is more important than complex vocabulary. State your position in the introduction.
Task 2 carries more marks
Spend 20 min on Task 1 and 40 min on Task 2.
Vary your sentence structure
Mix simple, compound and complex sentences. This directly affects your Grammatical Range score.
Paraphrase the question
Copying words from the question is penalised. Restate using different vocabulary.
Recommended resources
Resources recommended by our verified IELTS specialists. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you buy.
Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic — Official Tests
The latest official Cambridge IELTS practice tests. The most authentic exam preparation available.
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
The comprehensive official preparation guide covering all four skills with practice materials.
IELTS Vocabulary in Use — Upper-Intermediate
Targeted vocabulary preparation for IELTS at band 6.0–7.0. Organised by topic.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Simon Corcoran
Highly recommended by IELTS specialists for Task 2 structure and argument development.
British Council IELTS — Official Practice Materials
Free official IELTS preparation resources from the British Council, an approved IELTS test centre.