Abstract

The current study focused mainly on the role of the linguistic complexity of IELTS writing Task 2. In other words, it investigated the differential effects of two interrelated linguistic complexities of writing Task 2 on the three levels of discourse representation and what IELTS candidates perceived through analyzing IELTS writing topics both at the sentence and idea levels was taken into consideration. The participants were 10 Iranian modest and competent users of English. A total of 10 writing topics, randomly selected from 70 Task 2 of Cambridge’s passed administered IELTS writing tests (every 7th) was the main instrumentation of a five-week period of data collection. The data analyses were based on a codification scheme adapted from, and a software analyzer known as the Lexical and Syntactic Complexity Analyzer. The effects of lexical and syntactic complexity of writing task on CAF of language production were calculated through separate statistical analyses. The results of the study revealed that lexical complexity applied in IELTS writing topics had a greater influence on IELTS candidates` understanding of the IELTS writing topics than syntactic complexity. Furthermore, Iranian IELTS candidates were initially attracted to the situational representation of IELTS writing topics.

摘要

当前的研究主要集中在雅思写作任务2的语言复杂性的作用上。换句话说，它研究了写作任务2的两种相互关联的语言复杂性对话语表达的三个层次以及通过分析雅思候选者所感知的差异。雅思考试的写作主题在句子和思想层面都得到了考虑。参与者是10名伊朗谦虚而又能干的英语用户。总共10个写作主题，是从剑桥通过的管理的雅思写作测试（每7个）的70个任务2中随机选择的，是五周数据收集的主要手段。数据分析基于改编后的编码方案和称为词法和句法复杂性分析器的软件分析器。通过单独的统计分析，计算了写作任务的词汇和句法复杂性对CAF语言产生的影响。研究结果表明，与语法复杂性相比，应用于雅思考试写作主题的词汇复杂性对雅思考生理解雅思考试主题的影响更大。此外，伊朗雅思考试的候选人最初吸引了雅思考试主题的情境代表。