03Dec
Can I invent supporting examples in IELTS Task 2?
We received this question from one of the members in our private IELTS group on Facebook and one of the examiners had this to say as an answer.
“If I lie when supporting my ideas in IELTS writing, will the examiner find out? Do I lose marks?”
No. Something that you need to know is that IELTS examiners are paid per task that they mark, not per hour. IELTS examining is a job most people do to earn a little extra money. Now, if you want to earn good money as an IELTS writing examiner, you need to learn to be fast and there is no time to check whether a supporting example is true or not. If a candidate is supporting their writing with an example that is simply not true, as long as it is believable, it is fine. If it is not believable (aliens for example) then it is probably nonsensical and is therefore penalised.So, the short answer is 1) the examiner doesn’t care whether your supporting example is true or not as long as it is believable and 2) you won’t lose marks.
If you look at the Band 8.0 criteria for Task Achievement, it says that you need to “present a well-developed response to the question with
relevant, extended and supported ideas” Basically, as long as it is believable, you are fine.
relevant, extended and supported ideas” Basically, as long as it is believable, you are fine.
Comments (8)
How many ideas do I need to give? Is two in each body paragraph ok?
That is a good question. THE IELTS criteria for Task Achievement says that you need to fully develop your ideas to get into the higher bands. Therefore, one in each body paragraph is advisable. Then you will be able to develop each one sufficiently to get into the higher bands. If you put two in each body paragraph then you will not have time nor the word count to develop them and Band 6 will be as high as you can go. We see some people listing ideas in their body paragraphs and this is the worst thing you can do.
If I invent examples, will IELTS examiners know I am lying?
Hello Carlos. No, IELTS examiners have a number of papers that they have to mark. Let’s say 50, for example. If they had to check each example to make sure it was true, marking one essay would take a very long time. It is in their interest to be fast and accurate so nothing you will ever write will be checked. If you support your idea with a study from the University of Bath, that is fine. If you talk about aliens visiting from another planet to support your point though, this will affect your Task Achievement!
Muy interesante y con nuevas ideas para hacer el examen. Gracias
Muchas gracias por comentar Cristina.
Thanks so much for the article. How can I talk to IELTS examiners?
Hello Sandra. You can send us a message through the “Contact Us” button here https://upmyielts.com/contact/.