Are you preparing to take the IELTS writing test? If so, you need to be aware of the most common mistakes that students make. This will help you avoid making these mistakes yourself and improve your score. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common errors students make and how to avoid them. Let’s get started!
Not using enough vocabulary
One of the most common mistakes students make is not using enough vocabulary. This can make your essay sound simplistic and weak. Make sure to use a variety of different words, including both common and less common ones. Additionally, try to avoid repeating the same words over and over again. This will make your writing more interesting and varied, and will help you to score higher on the vocabulary section of the IELTS.
Not using proper grammar
One of the most common mistakes students make is not using proper grammar. This can be easily avoided by proofreading your work before you submit it. If you’re not sure about a certain grammar rule, look it up or ask a tutor for help.
Lack of organization
One of the most common mistakes students make is not taking the time to properly organize their thoughts before writing. This can lead to an essay that lacks focus and coherence. To avoid this, try brainstorming your ideas before beginning your essay. Write down a list of all the points you want to make, then group them into categories. Once you have a clear outline of your essay, you’ll be able to write more effectively.
Poor sentence structure
One of the most common mistakes is poor sentence structure. This can be hard to avoid if your first language isn’t English, but it’s important to try to write in complete sentences as much as possible. This will make your writing sound more fluent and natural.
Incorrect verb tenses
One of the most common mistakes students make in IELTS writing is using the wrong verb tense. This can happen for a number of reasons, but often it’s because the student isn’t sure when to use past, present, and future tenses. To avoid this mistake, make sure you understand when to use each verb tense and practice using them in your writing.
Using idiomatic expressions incorrectly
If you’ve been studying English for a while, you probably know a lot of idiomatic expressions. However, just because you know what an idiom means, doesn’t mean you can use it correctly in your writing. A lot of students make the mistake of using idioms inappropriately or incorrectly in their IELTS essays. This will not only make your essay sound strange, but it will also lower your score for grammar. So be careful when using idioms and make sure you use them correctly!
Here are some common mistakes students make with idioms:
- Using an idiom that is not appropriate for the situation
- Using an idiom incorrectly (for example, using the wrong preposition)
- Not using an idiom at all when one would be appropriate
To avoid making these mistakes, make sure you understand the meaning of the idiom and how to use it correctly. You can also try to find other ways to express the same idea without using an idiom. You can also take help from professional IELTS tutors and prepare yourself in a right manner.
Using informal language
One of the most common mistakes is to use informal language in your essay. This can include things like slang, contractions, or even just using too many filler words. While it’s okay to use some informality in your writing, you want to make sure that the overall tone of your essay is formal. Otherwise, it may come across as too casual or even unprofessional.
To avoid using too much informal language, try to avoid contractions altogether. Instead of writing “don’t”, write out the full word “do not”. Additionally, watch out for slang terms and fillers such as “like”, “um”, or “you know”. These can make your writing sound uneducated and sloppy.
If you’re not sure whether or not a word is too informal for your essay, err on the side of caution and don’t use it. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your IELTS score!
