2 steps to analyze IELTS Writing topics in a real exam!

Many candidates focus too much on vocabulary and advanced grammar, but the number one priority when writing an essay is analyzing IELTS Writing topics. This is also the criterion for scoring Task Response in the four criteria of IELTS Writing. But how can writers truly analyze IELTS Writing topics, especially when the requirement to achieve a high score is to "fully answer the question"?

So, let's refer to the article below to learn the most accurate way to analyze IELTS Writing topics and conquer high scores in the real IELTS exam!

I. Analyze IELTS Writing topics from A to Z

To analyze IELTS Writing topics, candidates must understand the topic accurately and thoroughly. In other words, when approaching the IELTS Writing task, don't take the perspective of a "tested" candidate, but rather take the perspective from top to bottom: truly understand what the examiner wants to ask. So how can this issue be addressed? You can practice to analyze IELTS Writing topics using the following two specific steps:

• Step 1: Underline key words in the IELTS Writing topic.
• Step 2: Brainstorm to deal with the underlined keywords. Each keyword needs to be specifically addressed in the outline.

II. Examples to analyze IELTS Writing topics 

1. IELTS Writing Topic 1: Overpopulation

Task: Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Analyze IELTS Writing topics:

• In this IELTS Writing topic about overpopulation, if you only underline "overpopulation" and "urban areas," then you are likely to miss the last two keywords, which are "governments" and "individuals."
• In fact, there are many individuals or organizations that can address issues related to overpopulation, such as schools or the media. Therefore, if you forget the two keywords "governments" and "individuals" and instead provide a "random" solution implemented by another entity, then you are off-topic.
• So, some suitable solutions, divided into two perspectives, are those of the government and individuals. For example:
  • The government should build satellite cities and encourage citizens to move to these new cities (urban-rural migration).
  • Individuals: Each family should have a smaller number of children ➡ reduce the fertility rate ➡ slow down population growth.

2. IELTS Writing Topic 2: Aging Population

Task: In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of aging populations.

Analyze IELTS Writing topics:

• Similar to the above topic on overpopulation, the topic on aging population asks about problems related to individuals and society. So if you mention problems unrelated to these two groups, then you have definitely answered the question incorrectly.
• Here is a paragraph developing ideas for problems related to individuals and society that you can refer to:
  • To society: there may be a shortage of human resources.
  • To individuals: individuals have to pay more tax to provide elderly care for the old who are susceptible to various elderly health problems.

3. IELTS Writing Topic 3: Energy Consumption

Task: The international community must act immediately to ensure that all nations reduce their consumption of fossil fuels e.g. gas and oil. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Analyze IELTS Writing topics:

• Many people who read the topic of energy consumption would think that the main keywords here are "reduce fossil fuel consumption." But that's just half the story! Therefore, if you determine the keywords as mentioned above, you will only achieve a Band 5 in Writing, even if you have a very good essay on reducing energy consumption.
• So, to accurately analyze the IELTS Writing topic, pay attention to two other keywords, which are "the international community" and "immediately." Now you realize that the question is not about whether to reduce or not, but rather it asks two questions:
  • Is it necessary for the entire international community to reduce?
  • Is it necessary to reduce immediately?
• If you understand the above two issues, the next step is to organize the essay to address these two questions.
  • Paragraph 1: The candidate needs to answer the role of the international community.
  • Paragraph 2: The candidate needs to discuss the urgency of the issue.
• You can see the example of analyzing this IELTS Writing topic below:
  • Perspective 1: international community?
    • There are problems associated with burning fossil fuels that happen in the whole world such as global warming and climate change ➡ one single country cannot solve it.
    • Developing countries do not own renewable energy technology ➡ the international community should provide less developed countries with this technology.
• Perspective 2: is this an urgent task?
  • The rising sea level has already sunk many coastal areas and islands.
  • Fossil fuel sources are already on the verge of exhaustion.
  • Air pollution has already reached an alarming level, leading to an increase in the number of people who have respiratory problems such as rhinitis/ sinusitis/ bronchitis/ pneumonia/ tuberculosis in big cities.

The above is the most detailed ways to analyze IELTS Writing topics. Take a careful look at the article to easily understand the IELTS Writing topics in the upcoming real exam!