ELSAC Workout: IELTS, Writing Task 3

Language Focus: Understand the components of and be able to structure a cause-effect essay
Understand and be able to use connectives and related structures to establish the cause-effect relationship in sentences
Understand and be able to write an IELTS Task 2 essay with appropriate language styles

Level: Upper Intermediate
Time: 2 hours
Suggested next workout: Applying learned strategies in writing longer essays
Extra support: Writing Workshops (Writing Complex Sentences/Unity and Coherence/Paraphrasing)

Work through the practice activities in order, by clicking on the tabs at the top of the next page. After completing all practices, the Result tab will summarize your workout. Record your results as proof of independent learning and as motivation to repeat the workout and beat your score. Practice makes you fitter!

Next:
Material developed by Hebe Wong, Tuong Vy Nguyen.

Strengthen knowledge

Stretch usage

Energize practice

*** All ELSAC Workouts ***

Part 1 Part 1b Part 2 Part 2b Part 3 Part 3b Result

Part 1

The Writing Task 2, the second part of the writing test in IELTs, is worth 66% of the test. Students are recommended to spend about 40 minutes on this task. The marking criterion for Task 2 include 4 main areas.

Task response (25%)
Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
Lexical resource (Vocabulary) (25%)
Grammatical Range & Accuracy (25%)

Students should write at least 250 words in this task to express their views on various topics in a range of essay types.
This worksheet will focus on 2 common questions of Cause-Effect Essay in Task 2.

"What are reasons behind this?" and
"What effects does it have on... ?"

IELTS Writing Task 2: Cause-Effect Essay

Part 1: The organization of a cause-effect essay
Read the following sample essay and identify the essay components.

Question:
People nowadays sleep less than they used to in the past.
What do you think is the reason behind this?
What are the effects on individuals?

Introduction		Lead-in/topic sentence: *Sleep is an important factor* in a healthy life; however, people nowadays have *shorter sleeping hours* than they did in the past. Thesis statement: This essay will *explain the causes of this change and its impacts on individuals.*
Body Paragraph 1 (Causes)		Topic sentence/Main idea (Causes): People's late sleep or insomnia can *result from their life pressure and the overuse of modern technological devices.* Supporting sentences: *Life nowadays is more competitive* than it was in the past because *the population is increasing* while *resources for humans are limited.* Therefore, people have to *work harder* to cope with *many burdens such as job insecurity and expensive living costs,* and such mental stress can prevent them from falling asleep at night. Furthermore, the popularity of technology makes people more *reliant on electronic equipment* including mobile phones and computers. Many people, especially the young ones, like to *stay awake to browse the Internet* with those devices after midnight instead of going to bed on time.
Body Paragraph 2 (Effects)		Topic sentence/Main idea (Effects): Insufficient sleep can *lead to many negative effects* in both short and long terms such as *poor work performance and worsened health conditions.* Supporting sentences: In the short term, weak physical health due to short sleep can also *impact work quality* which requires a high amount of energy. For instance, if people wake up with *headache or nausea* due to previous night sleeplessness, they may *make mistakes at work the next morning.* Moreover, continuous lack of sleep can *impede the human body from functioning properly* because it directly *affects the quality of the nervous system.* In the long run, people may suffer from *mental health problems such as depression and anxiety* or *physical health issues including high blood pressure and heart diseases.*
Conclusion		Summary of key points: In conclusion, *decreasing sleeping hours* in recent years is the consequence of *life burdens and excessive use of technology.* Lack of sleep can cause both *short- and long-term effects on our work performances as well as physical and mental health.* Personal opinions (Optional) Though people may sleep less than they used to in the past, participating in *different recreational activities to release stress* and *limiting the use of electronic devices* are recommended to maintain *good sleeping habits and a healthy lifestyle.*

Activity 1

Drag the following statements (A-H) to complete the outline of the essay. One of the statements has been done for you.

Question:

Today more people are overweight than ever before. What in your opinion are the primary causes of this? What are the main effects of this problem?

a. Obesity can harm human body functions and lead to many illnesses. For example, if the amount of fat inside body increases, metabolism process will be less effective, which may cause heart diseases or diabetes.

b. This essay will discuss the main reasons of this epidemic and then describe the possible effects of the problem.

c. The main reason for obesity is inactive lifestyle.

d. Therefore, healthier lifestyles should be encouraged to improve this epidemic.

e. Today people rely on cars instead of walking, have fewer physical demands at work and prefer inactive leisure activities. This results in burning less calories and gaining weight.

f. Nowadays the number of overweight people is constantly increasing.

g. Obesity is a big problem that affects a lot of people nowadays. It's mainly caused by inactive lifestyle and results in severe health problems.

h. A possible effect of this problem is suffering from potential physical health problems.

Essay Outline:

Introduction	Lead-in/Topic Sentence:	1. f. Nowadays the number of overweight people is constantly increasing.
Introduction	Thesis Statement:	2.
Body	Main idea 1 (Causes):	3.
	Supporting ideas (Causes)	4.
	Main idea 2 (Effects)	5.
	Supporting ideas (Effects)	6.
Conclusion	Summary	7.
Conclusion	Personal Opinion	8.

Activity 1b

Part 2

Part 2: Useful language for a cause-effect essay

Cause
Vocabulary	Structure	Examples
Because, since, as	because/since/as + clause (subject + verb)	People nowadays gain weight easily *because they do not regularly do exercise.*
Because of, due to, thanks to, owing to, as a consequence of, as a result of	because of + noun (phrase)/gerund	People nowadays gain weight easily *because of irregular exercise.* People nowadays gain weight easily *because of not regularly doing exercise.*
The reason why... is that...	The reason why + clause (subject + verb)... is that + clause (subject + verb)	The reason why people nowadays gain weight easily is *that they do not regularly do exercise.*
The reason for... is...	The reason for + noun (phrase)/gerund	The reason *for obesity* is that people nowadays do not do exercise regularly. The reason *for being obese* is that people nowadays do not do exercise regularly.
Stem from, be derived from, result from, be traced back to	Subject + stem from... + noun (phrase)/gerund	Obesity can stem from *unhealthy eating habits, or it can be traced back to not doing exercise regularly.*

Effect
Vocabulary	Structure	Examples
,so ...	..., so + clause (subject + verb)	People nowadays do not do exercise regularly, *so they gain weight easily.*
Therefore, hence, thus, as such, as a result, as a consequence, that is the reason why	... Therefore, + clause (subject + verb) ..., therefore, + clause (subject + verb) ...; therefore, + clause (subject + verb)	People nowadays do not do exercise regularly. *Therefore, they gain weight easily.*
Lead to, result in, bring about, cause	Subject + lead to + noun (phrase)/gerund	Irregular exercise *led to obesity.* Irregular exercise *led to being obese.*

Activity 2

Activity 2. Choose the appropriate words or phrases to complete the sentences by clicking on A, B, C, or D.

Part 3

Refining an essay to improve the band score for IELTS Writing Task 2

Dos	Don'ts
Use formal/less common language Example: Companies should *utilize* social networking sites for their marketing projects because there are far more people browsing the Internet than ever before.	Use informal/simplistic language Example: Companies should *make* use of social networking sites for their marketing projects because there are far more people browsing the Internet than ever before.
Use condense phrases Example: The government's environmental campaign has *expanded its impact nationwide* with strong support from the public.	Use wordy phrases Example: The government's environmental campaign has *spread its impact to every corner of the country* with the strong support from the public.
Write complex sentences Example: Scientists suggested many solutions to tackle climate change *which* needs the government's action to become practical.	Write choppy sentences Example: Scientists suggested many solutions to tackle climate change. The government needs to take action to make them practical.
Use full negative forms Example: The project *cannot* be conducted if the board of directors *does not* approve it.	Use contractive words Example: The project *can't* be conducted if the board of directors *doesn't* approve it.
Paraphrase/Diversify the language Example: *There have been more* phone addicts in recent years. Therefore, *the number of people with poor vision has also increased.*	Repeat the language patterns Example: *There have been more* phone addicts in recent years. Therefore, *there have been more* people with poor vision.
Change the subject/Use passive voice Example: *This essay will discuss* the causes of air pollution and its effects on human life. (De-emphasise the doer/subject)	Use personal pronouns Example: *I will discuss* the causes of air pollution and its effects on human life.

Practice 3

Activity 3. There are problems in some parts of the following essay. Choose the most appropriate answer by clicking on A, B, C or D.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed this workout and improved your IELTS fitness. Your results are below. Record your results as proof of independent learning. Take a rest, then repeat this workout to beat your personal best, or try a different one.

Student's Name (Type in):

Final Result of IELTS Writing Task 3

Date:

Activity	Correct	Maximum	Percentage
Activity 1	0		0%
Activity 2	0		0%
Activity 3	0		0%
Total Score	0		0%

Time Taken:

1. Cannabis is less harmful than alcohol, _________ many people think it should be legalized.
	a. because
	b. as a result
	c. so
	d. therefore
2. Many animals are becoming extinct _________ their habitats are being destroyed.
	a. because
	b. due to
	c. is a result of
	d. hence
3. Natural disasters have happened often in recent years _________ deforestation.
	a. therefore
	b. due to
	c. lead to
	d. since
4. Pollution _________ global warming.
	a. stems from
	b. is the reason for
	c. because of
	d. is the reason why
5. University students have a heavy workload. __________, many of them are facing mental health problems.
	a. As such
	b. so
	c. cause
	d. is the reason why
6. The consumption of sugary products can __________ potential diseases in the long term.
	a. as
	b. so
	c. caused
	d. is the reason why
7. Many people prefer using private vehicles __________ the inconvenient public transport system.
	a. bring about
	b. owing to
	c. since
	d. therefore
8. Replacing human workforce with high-tech devices ___________ the increasing unemployment rate.
	a. because
	b. so
	c. is the reason why
	d. caused

1. What is NOT appropriately used in the underlined sentence in paragraph (1)?
	a. Personal pronoun: "I"
	b. Verb in future tense: "will discuss"
	c. Redundant phrase: "in this essay"
2. Which one is the best way to rewrite underlined sentence in paragraph (1)?
	a. This essay will discuss the reasons why this tradition is disappearing and its effects on the family and society.
	b. The reasons why this tradition is disappearing and its effects on the family and society will be discussed in this essay.
	c. Both A and B
3. The underlined sentences in paragraph (2) are wordy and lack connection. Which one is the best way to rewrite them?
	a. In the industrialized era, many people are busier, work for longer hours and have to go on business trips more often. Therefore, family members nowadays do not have time to eat together as they used to in the past
	b. In the industrialized era, many people have hectic schedules and frequent business trips, so family members nowadays no longer have time to eat together.
	c. In the industrialized era, many people have hectic schedules and frequent business trips. Family members nowadays no longer have time to eat together.
4. Which verb is more formal and can be used to replace the word "move" in the following in sentence? "Furthermore, many young people nowadays tend to move to other cities or countries and live independently from their parents."
	a. go
	b. relocate
	c. change
5. Which one is NOT appropriately used in the following sentence? "It's difficult for them to often come over their families and eat with them."
	a. Contraction: "It's"
	b. Phrasal verb: "come over"
	c. Both A and B
6: Paragraph (3) of the essay does not have a topic sentence. Which of the following sentences can be used as the topic sentence of the paragraph?
	a. Nevertheless, the disappearing tradition of having family meals can cause many impacts at both family and society levels.
	b. Nevertheless, the disappearing tradition of having family meals can be the reason for the low-quality society.
	c. Nevertheless, the disappearing tradition of having family meals can cause many impacts on many families in the long-term.
7: The supporting ideas in paragraph (3) in the essay are too general. Which one of the following can elaborate the ideas better?
	a. The disappearing tradition of having a family meal together can loosen the bonds between all family members because they do not have time to share good moments and life lessons with one another. Also, a united family is a foundational factor for a sustainable society, so individuals cannot form a quality society if they fail to learn the values of family unity which can be gained through family meals.
	b. As family gatherings for shared meals are good occasions to create meaningful moments and exchange life lessons with one another, the bonds between all family members will be loosened if they do not maintain this practice. In the long-term, a generation gap between parents and children may happen due to the lack of communication. Also, a united family is a foundational factor for a sustainable society, so individuals cannot form a quality society if they fail to learn the values of family unity which can be gained through family meals.
	c. As family gatherings for shared meals are good occasions to create meaningful moments and exchange life lessons with one another, the bonds between all family members will be loosened if they do not maintain this practice. In the long-term, a generation gap between parents and children may happen due to the lack of communication. It will eventually decrease the quality of the entire society.
8: The given essay above does not have a conclusion. Which paragraph of the following can be used as the conclusion of the essay?
	a. In conclusion, the fast-paced and independent lifestyles of modern people, especially the youth, have reduced the role of family meals in everyday life. The disappearance of this tradition can impede people from understanding the values of familial and social relationships as a long-term effect. Thus, regardless of continuous social changes, having a family meal together should be encouraged as it is beneficial for establishing quality families and societies.
	b. In conclusion, the fast-paced and independent lifestyles of modern people, especially the youth, have reduced the role of family meals in everyday life. Thus, having a family meal together should be encouraged.
	c. The disappearance of family meals can impede people from understanding the values of familial and social relationships as a long-term effect. Thus, regardless of continuous social changes, having a family meal together should be encouraged as it is beneficial for establishing quality families and societies.