Unit 4

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 writing

MODULE 11
Integrated Writing

The Writing Task requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in
response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how
something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report
the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in
factual information, or describe a process.

Task Achievement remember to:

 include an overview statement
 report accurate data
 highlight key information or trends
 include enough data
 speculate or give an opinion about why changes have occurred
 use an appropriate tone
 writing required number of words

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  including a final summary or concluding paragraph

Writing Task 1
The Difference between Theft and Robbery

To put it simply, someone is guilty of robbery if he steals from a person using force
or makes them think force will be used. Theft means taking someone’s property but does
not involve the use of force. Burglary means illegally entering a property in order to steal
property from it.

The chart below shows the changes that took place in three different areas of crime
in Panama City from 2010 to 2019.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

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 Model answer

This graph illustrates how crime rates altered in Panama City during the period
2010-2019. We can see immediately that the greatest change occurred in the number of
burglaries, while incidents of theft remained low but steady.

In 2010, we can see that burglary was the most common crime, with approximately
3,400 reported cases. The figure rose to around 3,700 in 2011, but then there was a
downward trend until 2015. At this point the figure stood at just over 1,000 incidents. This
rose slightly in 2016, then continued to fluctuate for the remaining period.

In 2010, the number of cars being stolen stood at around 2,800 and followed a
similar trend to burglary until 2013. At this point the number rose, standing at around
2,200 in 2014. There was a marginal decrease in the following year, but from then on, the
trend was generally upwards.

Finally, robbery has always been a fairly minor problem for Panama City. The
number of offences committed changed little over nine years. It is interesting to note that
the figure of approximately 700 in 2010 is the same figure for 2019.
(185 words).

Writing Task 1

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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 The graph below shows the number of hours per day on average that children

spent watching television between 1950 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make

comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

There are a number of common mistakes that prevent students from getting a high score
in Task Achievement. These are:
 not including an overview statement
 misreporting data
 not highlighting key information or trends
 not including enough or any data
 speculating or giving an opinion about why changes have occurred
 using an inappropriate tone
 writing fewer than 150 words
 not including a final summary or concluding paragraph, or producing one which doesn't
summarise the main features.

Model Answer

The graph shows the number of hours per day on average that children spent watching
television. The graph covers the period between 1950 and 2010.

From 1950 to 1960, there was a modest rise in the average number of hours children
spent in front of the television set. This was followed by a marked increase from approximately
one hour to four hours of viewing per day among children between 1965 and 1982. Over the

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next five years, there was a decrease. However this trend proved negligible as the viewing
figure then rose again marginally, and it reached a peak of over four hours in 1995.

Between 1995 and 2010, there was another modest decline in the hours children spent
watching television.

Overall, it can be concluded that there has been a significant rise in television viewing
over the sixty-year period, though there is some indication that this trend may be changing.

Written Task

Writing Task 3

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Model answer
These two pie charts show the differences between two groups of Canadians (25 to 35 and
45 to 55 year olds) in terms of their post-school qualifications.
The first point to note is the huge increase in the number of people with qualifications.
The younger group is more than two times bigger than the older group (515,600 compared to
213,400).

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 Comparing the two groups, Humanities and Nursing have experienced an increase in
popularity with older graduates; Nursing rose by 4%. However, the biggest gain was made
by engineering, which increased from 9% to 19% of the whole.
Some subjects were more popular with the younger age group. The biggest loss in graduate
numbers were to Science, Maths and Computers which, as a group, have decreased by 8%.
Administration has declined by 4%.
To sum up, the graphs show a more than twofold increase in the number of graduates.
The most noticeable change in subject percentages is the increase in the number of
engineering graduates.
(164 words)

Writing Task 4
Writing an Introduction
Use the following structure for the introduction to a Task 1 answer:
 One sentence to explain what the table shows. (Use different words from the words used in the
heading for the table wherever possible.)
 One or two sentences summarizing the information shown in the table.
 Do not include details in the introduction. Save the details for the main part of your text, after the
introduction.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The table below shows top ten countries with largest population in 2019, and how it is
projected to change by 2100.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant Write at least 150 words.

Model answer
The table compares the population of the world's top ten countries in 2019 with
projected numbers in 2100.

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 In 2019, China had the highest population of 1,439 million, with India second on
1,380 million. However, by 2100, India is projected to have the highest population of 1,551
million with China second on 941 million - down 498 million since 2019. Although the USA
is projected to increase its population from 331 million to 478 million, it steps down from
third to fourth place, being overtaken by Nigeria, which moves up from seventh place with
206 million, to a total of 730 million, representing a massive increase of 524 million. Brazil
drops from sixth place in 2019 with 213 million, down to tenth in 2100 on 177 million - a
decrease of 36 million.

Three of the ten most populous countries in the world will no longer be among the
top ten in 2100, and all three will be supplanted by rapidly growing nations in Africa.

Except for China and Brazil, all other projections show an increase between 2019
and 2100, but there is a significant shuffling of position by some countries, the elimination
of others, and the introduction of new contenders for a top-ten placing
(203 words)

EXTRA PRACTICE
IELTS Sample Letters (IELTS Writing Task 1)
The purpose of this section is to help you with the Writing Task 1 of the IELTS
General test. In Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter
requesting information or explaining a situation. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is
spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Depending on the
task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:
-engage in personal correspondence
- elicit and provide general factual information
- express needs, wants, likes and dislikes
- express opinions (views, complaints etc.)

Test tip
When you are considering the purpose of your letter, you also need to think about what
you have to do in the letter, e.g. complain, advise, etc. This will affect the language and
expressions that you choose.
You need to use the right tone throughout your letter. You will lose marks if you use an
inappropriate tone or if you use the wrong tone in parts of your letter.
Examiners will ignore any sections of text copied directly from the question. Remember
that this will reduce your total word count and may also reduce your marks.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have heard that a developer plans to build a shopping centre near your home.
Write a letter to the council. In your letter
say how you heard about the plan
explain how you feel about it
ask for more information about it
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:

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Dear Sir or Madam,

Model answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a resident of Boundary Road and I have recently read in the local newspaper that a
shopping centre is going to be built near where I live.
This news was rather a surprise to me. I have been living in Boundary Road for five years
now and it has always been a very quiet street with very few tall buildings. I think a
construction like this will change the atmosphere of the area considerably and, like many
other residents I have spoken to, I am not at all happy about it.
I think people who live in the area have a right to know more about the plan before it goes
ahead, so I would like to request further details regarding the dates of the planned building
work and the size of the centre. Also, I sincerely hope you are planning to provide a car
park, as otherwise parking will become very difficult for everyone in the area.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Faithfully,

John Carlson

(175 words)

Writing Task

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 MODULE 12
Independent Writing

The writing task for independent writing, consists of two separate tasks:
an Integrated Writing task and an Independent Writing task. The Integrated task
requires you to write a response comparing a lecture and an article, whereas the
Independent task requires you to write an opinionated essay in which you agree or
disagree with an idea.

Integrated Writing Task

Divide into four paragraphs: an introduction and three body paragraphs!). But if you
want to write a conclusion, just be sure you keep it short — two to three sentences at
most Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
Your first paragraph will introduce the lecture and how it relates to the reading. This
paragraph doesn’t need to be long; a simple two or three sentences should suffice.

1. Begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the lecture.
Examples:
According to the lecture, …
Based on the lecture, …
The lecturer states/believes that …
The lecturer talks about …
The lecturer discusses …

2. Next, explain whether the passage refutes or supports the main point of the lecture.
Examples (Contrast):
By contrast, the author of the passage explains/states/posits that …
The author of the passage, however, disagrees with this idea/belief. Instead, he/she
believes that …
The author of the passage, however, doubts this idea/belief and thinks that …
The author challenges this point, however, by explaining/suggesting/positing that …
Examples (Agreement):
This line of thinking agrees with that of the author, who states that …
The author of the passage agrees with this notion/idea/belief, stating that …
Likewise, the author of the passage explains/states/posits that …
The author of the passage supports this idea/belief, explaining that …

Paragraph 2 (Body)
In this paragraph, you’ll want to focus on one of the key points in the lecture and
explain whether the passage refutes or supports this idea.

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1. Introduce the main point you’ll be discussing.
Examples:
First, the lecturer asserts/claims/suggests that …
For one, the lecturer thinks/believes that …
The first point the lecturer makes is that …

2. Next, describe this particular point in more detail and then discuss how the
passage either refutes or supports it. I suggest using one to two sentences here.
Examples:
On the other hand, the author asserts/claims/suggests that …
Likewise, the author thinks/believes that …
This concept is refuted/supported by the passage, which asserts/claims/suggests that …

3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining what this difference or similarity

means.
Examples:
For the Integrated task, you must read a passage on an academic topic for three minutes
and then listen to a short lecture on the same topic. This lecture will either support or
challenge what’s written in the passage. Your response must summarize the main
points discussed in the lecture and explain how these points relate to the reading.
This difference/similarity ultimately means/indicates that …
Basically, the lecturer/author is saying that …
The lecturer and author are essentially in agreement with each other. Both think/believe
that …
Clearly, the lecturer and author maintain different views on …
Paragraph 3 (Body)
In this paragraph, you’ll focus on another key point in the lecture and again discuss
how the passage either agrees or disagrees with this idea. The structure here is
essentially identical to that of paragraph 2, so make sure you are using new transitions
and varying your word choice.

1. Start by introducing the second point in the lecture you’ll be discussing. Because
this is your second body paragraph, do not use transitions such as “first” or “first of all.”
Examples:
Second, the lecturer argues/contends/asserts that …
Next, the lecturer suggests/proposes that …
Another key point the lecturer makes is that …

2. Next, explain this key point in more detail and elaborate on how it is either refuted
or supported by the passage. As with paragraph 2, I recommend using one to two
sentences here.
Examples:
In other words, the lecturer is suggesting/proposing that …
The author, however, agrees/disagrees with this idea/belief, suggesting/proposing that …
Similarly, the author argues/contends/asserts that …

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3. Finally, explain what this difference or similarity means.
Examples:
What this difference/similarity means is that …
This difference/similarity in thinking tells us that …
Evidently, the lecturer thinks/believes that … , whereas the author thinks/believes that …

Paragraph 4 (Body + Conclusion)

This final body paragraph will offer your last key point in addition to a brief conclusion.
Once again, try to vary your transitions and words here so that your body paragraphs do
not sound redundant.

1. Introduce and summarize the third point in the lecture. This is your third and final
body paragraph, so do not use transitions such as “first” or “next.” Instead, use transitions
such as “third,” “finally,” “last,” and “lastly.”
Examples:
Third, the lecturer explains/states that …
Finally, the lecturer introduces the idea that …
Lastly, the lecturer goes on to say that …

2. Then, explain this point in more detail and discuss whether the passage matches or
challenges it. Use one or two sentences here.
Examples:
This point is also made in the passage, which argues/contends/asserts that …
The passage supports this idea, suggesting/proposing that …
On the contrary, the author writes that …

3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining the significance of this similarity or

difference. You should also look at this sentence as the conclusion to your entire
response. Remember, you do not need to write a separate concluding paragraph for this
task; it’s perfectly OK to combine it with your last body paragraph!
Examples:
In conclusion, the lecturer and author appear to be in agreement/disagreement about …
All in all, the lecturer argues/contends/asserts that … , whereas the author
argues/contends/asserts that
Template 2: Independent Writing Task
For this task, you will read a short prompt and then write a response explaining whether
you agree or disagree with the issue or idea. Unlike the Integrated task, here you’ll be
writing an opinionated response (though you do not have to write about your actual
opinion).
You’ll have 30 minutes to write an essay of at least 300 words. Because this essay
should be longer than the Integrated task, it’s best to use the basic five-paragraph
structure, with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Note that many of the example sentences below are based on the sample
Independent Writing prompt used above. This means that these sentences
will not apply exactly to other prompts! So don’t simply copy the sentences onto your test;

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instead, use them as a general guide to help you develop a better sense of style and flow
in your writing.
Now, let’s take a look at our Independent Writing TOEFL template.

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce the main issue or idea and rephrase the prompt in your
own words. Then, you’ll state whether you agree or disagree with the statement and why.

1. For your first sentence, you’ll want to come up with a hook that introduces the topic of
your essay in a unique and creative way. Most people start broad and then get specific.
This sentence is also a great opportunity to insert a hypothetical question.
Examples:
There is great debate about ...
It is said that ... But is this always true?
Many people wonder whether telling the truth at all times is necessary in order to
maintain a healthy relationship with someone.

2. Next, introduce your opinion on the topic. You may list your specific reasons for
your opinion here or in the following sentence(s). Remember, this doesn’t need to be your
real opinion!
Examples:
In my opinion, …
I believe that … is important because …
I agree/disagree with this idea/suggestion because …
For me, although telling the truth is important, there are many cases in which it’s OK
to lie.

3. Here, state how many points (three is ideal) you’ll be discussing in your essay and
then briefly summarize what these reasons for agreeing or disagreeing are. Your
reasons may come from facts, predictions, personal beliefs, experiences, etc.
Examples:
In this essay, I will address three potential problems with lying in relationships.
Lying is never a smart idea because it undermines trust in relationships, causes feelings
of betrayal, and often leads to more lying.

You’ll have a total of 20 minutes to write your response. Your response should be
around 150-225 words. During this time, you may reread the passage; however, you
may not listen to the lecture again.
Below is an example of an Integrated Writing task borrowed from ETS:

Reading Passage
Critics say that current voting systems used in the United States are inefficient and
often lead to the inaccurate counting of votes. Miscounts can be especially damaging if
an election is closely contested. Those critics would like the traditional systems to be
replaced with far more efficient and trustworthy computerized voting systems.

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 In traditional voting, one major source of inaccuracy is that people accidentally vote
for the wrong candidate. Voters usually have to find the name of their candidate on a large
sheet of paper containing many names—the ballot—and make a small mark next to that
name. People with poor eyesight can easily mark the wrong name. The computerized
voting machines have an easy-to-use touch-screen technology: to cast a vote, a voter
needs only to touch the candidate’s name on the screen to record a vote for that
candidate; voters can even have the computer magnify the name for easier viewing.
Another major problem with old voting systems is that they rely heavily on people
to count the votes. Officials must often count up the votes one by one, going through
every ballot and recording the vote. Since they have to deal with thousands of ballots, it
is almost inevitable that they will make mistakes. If an error is detected, a long and
expensive recount has to take place. In contrast, computerized systems remove the
possibility of human error, since all the vote counting is done quickly and automatically by
the computers.
Finally some people say it is too risky to implement complicated voting technology
nationwide. But without giving it a thought, governments and individuals alike trust other
complex computer technology every day to be perfectly accurate in banking transactions
as well as in the communication of highly sensitive information.

Lecture Transcript
(Narrator) Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
(Female professor) While traditional voting systems have some problems, it’s
doubtful that computerized voting will make the situation any better. Computerized voting
may seem easy for people who are used to computers. But what about people who aren’t?
People who can’t afford computers, people who don’t use them on a regular basis—these
people will have trouble using computerized voting machines. These voters can easily
cast the wrong vote or be discouraged from voting altogether because of fear of
technology. Furthermore, it’s true that humans make mistakes when they count up ballots
by hand. But are we sure that computers will do a better job? After all, computers are
programmed by humans, so “human error” can show up in mistakes in their programs.
And the errors caused by these defective programs may be far more serious. The worst
a human official can do is miss a few ballots. But an error in a computer program can
result in thousands of votes being miscounted or even permanently removed from the
record. And in many voting systems, there is no physical record of the votes, so a
computer recount in the case of a suspected error is impossible! As for our trust of
computer technology for banking and communications, remember one thing: these
systems are used daily and they are used heavily. They didn’t work flawlessly when they
were first introduced. They had to be improved on and improved on until they got as
reliable as they are today. But voting happens only once every two years nationally in the
United States and not much more than twice a year in many local areas. This is hardly
sufficient for us to develop confidence that computerized voting can be fully trusted.

Writing Task 1
In 20 minutes, write your response. Your response should be around 150-225
words. Summarize the points made in the lecture, explain how they oppose specific
points made in the reading passage.

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Independent Writing Task
For the Independent task, you will write about your opinion on a certain topic.
You must provide clear reasons and specific examples for why you agree or disagree
with the issue or statement. (This doesn’t have to be your real opinion, though!) You’ll
have 30 minutes to write your response. A typical high-scoring essay is at least 300
words.
You’ll receive a score on a scale of 0-5.
* level-5 essay effectively addresses the topic, provides clear and ample details, and
contains at most only minor issues with grammar and word choice.
* level-3 essay offers a generally coherent response with occasional slips in clarity.
*level-1 essay offers little to no detail and contains multiple technical errors.

Writing Based on Knowledge and Experience

This section of the test asks you questions about common experiences. You will
be asked to give your opinion and provide reasons and examples. You will not be required
to have any previous knowledge on a topic. You will have 30 minutes to prepare an essay
in response to the question provided.

Question types: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Students should take out student loans to avoid working while studying. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people think it’s better to live with a roommate. Other people prefer to live
alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

It is better to grow up with siblings than without. Do you agree or disagree? Use
specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.
It has recently been announced that the public library in your area will be closed for the
summer months for a major renovation and expansion. Do you support or oppose this
plan. Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Example:
Some people prefer to settle down and start a
family in a rural area. Other people prefer the
convenience of the big city. Which do you prefer?
Use specific reasons and examples to support your
opinion.

Sample Essay:
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? A
young couple meets and falls in love in the city. Later
they get married and decide to move to a rural area.
They plan to start a family. This may have been the
case years ago, but today more couples are choosing
to settle down in the city. In my opinion a city has more to offer a new family than a rural
area. These things include jobs, institutions, and support systems.

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 There are more work opportunities for young couples in a city than in a rural area.
Unemployment is much lower in urban centers. One reason for this is that many jobs in
rural areas are seasonal. It is more common for large companies to be based in the city.
Even though the cost of living is higher in the city than it is in a rural area, people who
work in the city tend to have much higher salaries. Furthermore, financial stress is a
leading cause of divorce and leads to the break up of families.

The city offers important institutions such as the best hospitals and schools that
rural areas don't always have. For instance, people who get sick or have babies in rural
areas often have to travel to the city for medical attention. This can lead to bills and
transportation problems. While their parents have to commute to work, kids sometimes
have to travel a long way on a bus to school. All of the travel takes away from family time.
In addition, kids who grow up in rural areas are less likely to go to post secondary schools.
Most have to go to the city to get a good education.

It is more likely that a young couple will have the support of friends and family in
the city than in a rural area. When a young couple moves away from this support system,
they often feel isolated. On the other hand, small communities are usually close and
friendly. It doesn't take long to meet new friends in a small town. People look out for each
other and the crime rate is much lower. Even still, you can never replace your best friends
and relatives. Consequently, birthdays and holidays feel lonely without grandparents and
childhood friends to join in the celebration.

Essay Checklist

Do I have an interesting introductory sentence?

Do I have a thesis?

Does my introduction state the topics that I plan to cover?

Does each paragraph have a topic sentence?

Do I use examples and reasons to support my points?

Is my spelling and punctuation correct?

Do I use simple grammatical structure that I am comfortable with?

Do I use transitional phrases?

Have I covered both sides of an issue fairly?

Did I prove my thesis?

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 Does my conclusion end with an interesting thought or idea?

Living in the city is a new trend for young families. This is partly because people
are starting families later. I have already established my career and home in the city. My
friends and family and all of the things I need are here. When I meet my future spouse I
hope he agrees to settle down in the city.

The score you receive for this task will be on a scale of 0-5. According to a level-5
essay (i.e., a perfect essay) selects the most crucial information from the lecture and
presents it in a coherent, accurate, and well-organized manner. A level-3 essay is
satisfactory but overall vague, with fewer key points and several grammatical errors.
Finally, a level-1 essay offers minimal coherency and fails to address any of the
main points in the lecture.

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 Unit 4
Speaking

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