不少程度高的學生誤以為在考試中運用一些艱深與罕有的字詞與複雜的句式便能保證拿到高分，這是大錯特錯。其實，現在的寫作趨勢，無論是職場或是學術性的文章，以至IELTS的寫作考試，都極力提倡使用淺顯的英語(plain English)。
Plain English包含以下原則：
1. 盡量運用簡短的字詞及表達方式。
2. 不要使用艱深及不常用的字詞。
3. 務求刪掉多余字詞及使用更簡潔方式表達相同意思。

      以下句式寫得不夠簡潔直接，同學們請留意用了plain English改寫後的版本（見斜體）。
      1. We arrived at the conclusion that...We concluded that...
      2. We will contact you at a later date.
      We will contact you later.
      3. The students are very busy at the present time.
      The students are very busy now.
      4. I am of the opinion that...
      I think that...
      5. I am writing to you in the matter of...
      I am writing to you about/concerning...
      6. In the course of the meeting...
      During the meeting...
      7. In order to inform you of the reason...
      In order to explain...
      8. We shall send an answer...
      We shall reply...
      9. With the exception of the Principal,...
      Except the Principal,...
      10. We made an application.
      We applied.
      11. An application may be submitted by email.
      You may apply by email.
      12. The guideline provides a description of the exam.
      The guideline describes the exam.
      13. The person conducts an examination of the issue.
      The person examines the issue.
      14. We should take into consideration the effect of drug abuse.
      We should consider the effect of drug abuse.

      Plain English要求我們不可包括一些多余字詞，你能否刪掉以下重複意思的字詞？
      1. Cooperate together → cooperate
      2. Definitely correct → correct
      3. Down below → below
      4. Period of time → period
      5. Repeat again → repeat
      6. Sign your name → sign
      7. True facts → facts
      8. Up above → above
      9. I am of the belief that → I believe
      10. Past history → history
      11. Future plans → plans
      12. Advance warning → warning
      13. Mutual cooperation → cooperation

      1. If you refer back to my report,...
      2. The end result of the meeting was...
      3. The iPhone is white in colour.
      4. From my past experience, I know that...
      5. I enclose a free gift.
      6. Let's meet together on Friday night.
      7. The schools will merge together.
      8. The company is large in size.
      9. This proposal is more preferable.
　　

      試看以下兩例，用了plain English改寫後的句子意思變得更直接、易明及簡單，同時也可精確地保留原句的意思。
      1. The following summary is intended to highlight some information contained in this booklet.
      → The following summary highlights some information in this booklet.
      2. Let me repeat again, at this moment in time, it is the customary practice of this school to place an emphasis on the value of being well mannered.
      → Let me repeat, it is the practice of this school to emphasize on the value of being well mannered.