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Lesson 6

The document discusses common mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1, specifically focusing on poor grammatical range. It emphasizes the importance of using a variety of sentence structures—simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex—to achieve a higher score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA). Examples of each sentence type are provided to illustrate the differences and the necessity of variety in writing.

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10 views14 pages

Lesson 6

The document discusses common mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 1, specifically focusing on poor grammatical range. It emphasizes the importance of using a variety of sentence structures—simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex—to achieve a higher score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA). Examples of each sentence type are provided to illustrate the differences and the necessity of variety in writing.

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Lady Eff
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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IELTS COMMON MISTAKE:

WRITING TASK 1
LESSON 6
Look at the following sample body:
The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in
households in one country between 1920 and 2019.

What is wrong with this sample body 1?

Looking at the first graph, the percentage of


households with refrigerator was 5% which
was the lowest in 1920. The proportion of
homes with washing machines was 40%
which was the highest, followed by the figure
of vacuum cleaner which was 30%. In the
following 20 years, all numbers increased.
Washing machine went up to 60% while
vacuum cleaner rose to 50%. The biggest
increase was for refrigerator which was 55%
in 1940. (continue…..)
Look at the following sample body:
The charts below show the changes in ownership of electrical appliances and amount of time spent doing housework in
households in one country between 1920 and 2019.

What is wrong with this sample body 1?

Looking at the first graph, the percentage of


households with refrigerator was 5% which
was the lowest in 1920. The proportion of
homes with washing machines was 40%
which was the highest, followed by the figure
of vacuum cleaner which was 30%. In the
following 20 years, all numbers increased.
Washing machine went up to 60% while
vacuum cleaner rose to 50%. The biggest
increase was for refrigerator which was 55%
in 1940. (continue…..)
Common Mistake: Poor Grammatical Range

The sample you just read and analysed used repetitive sentence structures.

This will result to a low score in your GRA(Grammatical Range and Accuracy) score.

GRA is related to two important factors:

1. Grammatical Range - the variety of sentences you know.


-Simple
-Compound

-Complex

-Compound-Complex

2. Grammar Accuracy - using the correct sentence forms, tense, order, etc.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object
and modifiers. However, it contains only one independent clause.

Here are a few examples:


● She wrote.
● She completed her literature review.
● He organized his sources
by theme.
● They studied APA rules
for many hours.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses. These two independent clauses can be
combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon.

Here are a few examples:


● She completed her literature review, and she created her reference list.
● He organized his sources by theme; then, he updated his reference list.
● They studied APA rules for many hours, but they realized there was still much to learn.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses can
refer to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent
clause.

Here are a few examples:


● Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to work on her methods section.
○ Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.

● Because he organized his sources by theme, it was easier for his readers to follow.
○ Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.

● They studied grammar rules for many hours as they were so interesting.
○ Note that there is no comma in this sentence because it begins with an independent clause.
Compound-Complex Sentences
Sentence types can also be combined. A compound-complex sentence contains at least two
independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

● She completed her literature review, but she still needs to work on her methods
section even though she finished her methods course last semester.

● Although he organized his sources by theme, he decided to arrange them chronologically,


and he carefully followed the MEAL plan for organization.

● With pizza and soda at hand, they studied APA rules for many hours, and they decided
that writing in APA made sense because it was clear, concise, and objective.
Activity 1: Write your 1 sample for each type of
sentence. Use the information in the graph to make
your own sentences.
For Example:

1. Simple Sentence: The figure for washing machine was


40% in 1920.

1. Simple:

2. Compound:

3. Complex:

4. Compound-Complex
Samples: For Example:

1. Simple Sentence: The figure for washing machine


was 40% in 1920.

2. Compound: Households with vacuum cleaner


accounted for 30% and refrigerator had 5%.

3. Complex: In 1940, the figures for both refrigerators


and washing machine increased by 20% whereas 55%
of homes had refrigerators.

4. Compound-Complex: In 1940, the figures for both


refrigerators and washing machine increased by 20%
and now 55% of homes had refrigerators which was
ten times its initial proportions. .
Take Note!
Using a variety of these sentence structures is essential to
get a high score in the writing test.
Activity: Using this graph, make a body paragraph with varying sentence
structures.
Sample Answer:
The second line chart indicates a direct correlation between the
acquisition of essential household tools and the amount of work
required to be done at home. Household work amount dropped
dramatically from a high 50 hours per week in 1920 to 20 hours per
week in the sixties. After a minimal drop, it remained steady at around
15 hours until 2000. Finally,weekly housework period settled to 10
hours in the final year which is the lowest figure that can be seen in
this graph.

*The second line chart indicates a direct correlation between the acquisition
of essential household tools and the amount of work required to be done at
home. -> compound

*Household work amount dropped dramatically from a high 50 hours per


week in 1920 to 20 hours per week in the sixties. -> simple

*After a minimal drop, it remained steady at around 15 hours until 2000. ->
complex (subordinating)

*Finally,weekly housework period settled to 10 hours in the final year which


is the lowest figure that can be seen in this graph. -> complex (relative
clause)
Q and A
Do you have any questions about this common mistake in writing task 1?

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