#IELTS Writing Task 1: Word Count ↗️

Fun fact: The last time I got 8.5 for writing, my Task 1 and Task 2 answers were almost the same length - about 320 words. On a more serious note, 320 is a very high word count for most Task 1 answers. I tell my students not to write over 280.

Of course, all word count recommendations are just that - recommendations. There is no direct connection between word count and meaning, but there is some connection.

As usual, let's compare.

Set 1.

1️⃣

Oranges were by far the most exported fruit, with South Africa being the main exporter, at one million metric tons. Slightly less was sold by Egypt and the USA: 900,000 and 700,000 tons respectively. (36 words)

2️⃣

Oranges were by far the most exported type of citrus fruit, with the country of South Africa being the main exporter, at the mark of one million metric tons. As regards Egypt and the USA, a slightly smaller amount of the product in question was sold by these countries: 900,000 and 700,000 tons respectively. (56 words)

These two paragraphs contain identical information, yet the second one is 20 words longer because it contains clutter (words that don't add meaning).

Set 2.

3️⃣

Lemons and grapefruits were exported in significantly smaller quantities. Lemon exports stood at approximately half the figure for oranges. Turkey and Mexico exported 500,000 and 450,000 metric tons respectively. Argentina exported half the volume Turkey did – 250,000 tons. As regards grapefruits, the USA and South Africa supplied around 225,000 metric tons each. Following some way behind came Turkey, with 175,000 tons. (66 words)

4️⃣

Lemons and grapefruits were exported in significantly smaller quantities. Lemon exports came second at approximately half the figures for oranges. The two countries with the largest volumes were Turkey and Mexico, at 500,000 and 450,000 metric tons respectively. The third country, Argentina, exported half the volume Turkey did – 250,000 tons. Grapefruits were sold in even smaller amounts, with the USA and South Africa being the main suppliers at 225,000 metric tons each. Following some way behind came Turkey, with 175,000 tons. (86 words)

Now the second paragraph is also 20 words longer, but it has more information - information that will contribute to Task Achievement.

So, if you have a high word count, make sure it's because of valuable information, not because of clutter.

↗️ See my full answer in the Writing Recap 2024 book in this post: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551