Paying attention to specific data and convincing arguments, according to Mr. Luyen Quang Kien, is the secret to getting a 9.0 score on the IELTS Writing test.
Mr. Kien, a 31-year-old English teacher in Hanoi, was the first person to achieve 9.0 in all four IELTS skills including Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing after the computer-based test on June 3.
According to Mr. Kien, Writing is the hardest skill to get the maximum score. Although he has achieved 9.0 overall 5 times (average score of 4 skills, rounded to 0.25 points), Mr. Kien has only achieved 9.0 in the Writing test twice.
This test consists of two parts: Task 1 and Task 2, each worth a maximum of 9 points. The four criteria for marking this test are task completion, vocabulary, grammar and coherence, of which the first criterion is the most important.
Mr. Kien is the first person in Vietnam to achieve 9.0 in all 4 IELTS skills. Photo: Character provided
Here is Mr. Kien's sharing on how to do Task 1 and Task 2 of the IELTS Writing test:
Pay special attention to details in Task 1
Mr. Kien believes that candidates have difficulty getting full marks in Writing because of low scores in Task 1. This part presents charts in many different forms, requiring candidates to analyze, compare, contrast and process data in a specific period.
"If based on the formula, candidates will only get 6-7 points for completing the task. To get a high score, you need to know how to compare important points and use flexible vocabulary," said Mr. Kien.
For example, the Task 1 question on June 3 was a line graph, comparing the unemployment rate of the UK with the rest of Europe and Japan. Kien found special information in the graph such as the highest, lowest, peak, trough, unchanged or crossed places.
"Things like highest, lowest, and most dramatic change are important. Candidates should only compare places with significant changes," he said.
Mr. Kien noted that in Task 1, in addition to the introduction and conclusion, candidates need to state the reason for each paragraph in the body. He divided the body into three paragraphs, respectively about the UK, Europe and Japan, because he saw clear trends. In the first two years, the unemployment rate in the UK was the highest and then dropped sharply, giving way to the peak in the rest of Europe. In addition, he also mentioned the indicators that were always the lowest in Japan.
Persuasive Argument in Task 2
Unlike Task 1, Task 2 is a social argumentative essay, requiring candidates to provide arguments to prove and discuss persuasively. Mr. Kien once encountered a question asking whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of homeschooling children.
"I listed three benefits but argued against them all to say that this has more disadvantages," said Mr. Kien.
Many people believe that homeschooling will help children avoid some problems at school such as being bullied, being influenced by bad friends or falling in love early. Parents can also build a program that suits their children's interests and learning speed. In addition, families can save on school expenses.
However, according to Mr. Kien, children can avoid problems at school but do not have the opportunity to develop social skills. Without exposure to school, children will have difficulty solving problems in life later. Moreover, not all parents can build a learning program for their children. Parents are not good at all areas to tutor their children, so they have to hire tutors or send their children to online courses.
"At school, there are available school supplies and books, but at home, parents have to spend money to buy them for their children to study," Mr. Kien argued.
In conclusion, he concluded that homeschooling is only suitable for parents who are very good, knowledgeable about the fields their children study, have pedagogical training, and have suitable finances.
"I agree that there are a few people who teach their children better, but the majority should go to school," he said.
In the rebuttal type, the rebuttal does not necessarily have to be more numerous, but it must always be stronger than the defending arguments. In the case where the other reason is stronger, the candidate must admit that it is correct, but will argue that it is only true within certain limits. For example, in Mr. Kien's test, the parents themselves built a suitable program for their children, but that is only suitable for professionals.
In general, with the Writing test, Mr. Kien believes that the mistake of most candidates is always thinking that they have to use difficult words and complex grammar structures. IELTS is a test of language ability, so if the candidate uses precise and sophisticated language, he will be highly appreciated. Mr. Kien's test always uses common and diverse words.
"Instead of focusing on sharp arguments first and then worrying about whether the vocabulary is flexible enough, candidates often do the opposite: choose vocabulary first and ideas later," said Mr. Kien.
With ideas already in mind, he finished two articles in a short time, with about 20 minutes left to review the article a few times before the time was up.
"To write quickly, candidates need to read and watch a lot to accumulate knowledge, and when encountering any topic, always have a thesis in mind," he said.
Dawn
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