IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2 Guide: Lessons with Band 9 IELTS Writing Samples for Both the Academic & General Writing Test
In this guide you'll learn how to write high scoring essays for IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. No matter which test you're taking, either academic or general training, we have you covered; This guide includes IELTS writing samples, topics, and detailed lessons for general writing task 1 & 2 and academic writing task 1 & 2.
Get free IELTS writing sample answers after completing an IELTS writing practice test.
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Below is our full list of IELTS writing questions with sample essays. Note: The red links are our most popular and recommended writing questions rated by our students and you can practice them free anytime you like.
IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples 1 - 44 |
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IELTS general writing Sample 1 (Formal Letter)
You missed an international flight due to a problem at the airport. Write a letter to the airline. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, You need to take some time off of work to go on holiday. Write a letter to your direct manager. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Snyder, You are having a party and want to invite your friend from a different city. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You and your family are moving to another country for work, and you are looking to buy a house there. Write a letter to a property agent. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: To Whom it May Concern, You and your friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were extremely dissatisfied with the experience. Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, You and your friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were very pleased with the food and service. Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, You are enrolled in a study abroad course in another country. Your accommodation was arranged by the course provider, and there is a major problem with the accommodation. Write a letter to the course provider. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Gazeley You have been invited to attend an admissions interview for a prestigious college. Unfortunately, you cannot come at the proposed time due to a previous appointment. Write a letter to the admissions tutor and explain your position. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, Your local newspaper published an advertisement asking people to offer time for local environmental initiatives in your area. Write a letter to the project manager to offer your help. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, An old car was left on the street near your street several weeks ago. The car is now causing a problem for residents. Write a letter to the Council. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Councilor, Write a letter to a company asking for a refund for something you bought from them online. Write a letter to the Customer Service department. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, You have recently returned from an afternoon at your public library, and noticed various negative aspects that could be improved upon. Write a letter to the manager of the public library. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: To Whom This May Concern, You have a suggestion for a park near your apartment building. Write a letter to your city's council board. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Councilor, You have seen an advertisement in the newspaper for a temporary job working as a Sales Representative during the holiday season. You decide to apply for the job. Write a letter to the Hiring Manager of the company. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Hiring Manager, There have been some problems with public transport in your area recently. Write a letter to the manager of the transport company. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, You were recently impressed by a staff member at a supermarket. Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: To Whom This May Concern, You were absent from an important event held by the company you work for. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Brannagan You are due to move into a rented apartment next week but you will not be able to due to an unexpected problem. Write a letter to the property manager. In your letter
Write at least 150 words. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Williams You applied to a job, were offered the position, but have decided not to accept the offer. Write a letter to the HR supervisor with whom you interviewed. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Barry, You have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently, a new neighbor moved in who has loud parties several times a week. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Ronch You are having a graduation party next Sunday evening. You have invited over 25 people to celebrate in your garden, which may continue late into the night. Write a letter to your elderly neighbor. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Kulligowski Although you are meant to present your thesis project in one month, your sister is getting married in Spain at the same time. You would like to change dates for your presentation. Write a letter to your professor. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Professor Simons, You have received a job offer for an exciting, new position. Although you are expected to start on September 7th, you are only available to start a week later due to personal reasons. Write a letter to your new boss. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Mcllwain, You have been invited to a networking conference for your field of work. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Powell, You are going to spend your vacation in Rome, Italy. Your friend's grandfather lives there and has offered to let you stay in his apartment. Write a letter to your friend's grandfather. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear. Mr. Harris You have been assigned to give a networking presentation with your colleague from a different office, who you met last year. Write a letter to your colleague. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Petitto, You have had a problem with your neighbor for the past few months. You have not been able to meet with your neighbor to discuss the problem. Write a letter to your neighbor. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Granger, You have been working with your company for two years and are interested in a promotion. Write a letter to your direct boss. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Phillips, Your child's teacher has requested a meeting with you this Friday to discuss your child's low test scores. Unfortunately, you cannot attend. Write a letter to your child's teacher. In your letter
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Smith, Your friend's dog has recently passed away. Write a letter to console your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You recently took a long vacation. In your absence, a friend did you a huge favor. Write a letter thanking your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, Your friend invited you to his/her birthday party, but you are unable to attend. Write a letter apologizing for your absence. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, A friend of yours is going on holiday soon and has asked you to recommend a destination. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You are moving to a new city for work and have just realized that an old friend lives in the city. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You play a team sport with some friends. Last week a member of the team had an accident and wasn't able to play with you Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, One of your friends has asked you to be a partner in his new business. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mark, You are going on holiday and have just remembered that your aunt lives in one of the cities you will be visiting. Write a letter to your aunt. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Aunt Sally, You and a friend have both been accepted to a study abroad program in Paris, France. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You have recently started work in a new company. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You have recently moved to a different city. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, You have been busy with your studies for the past month and haven't had time to visit your family. Write a letter to your grandmother. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Grandmother, Last week, you lost your luggage while traveling on holiday. Luckily, you have travel insurance. Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam, In addition to your full-time job, you are taking a 15-hour Computer Science course. You now find that you cannot continue with the course. Write a letter to the course tutor. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms. Franklin, Last weekend, your cousin celebrated her 50th birthday, but you couldn't attend and you forgot to cancel. Write a letter to your cousin. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ___, |
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Samples 1 - 52 |
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IELTS academic writing Sample 1 (Bar Chart)
The chart below shows the proportion of male and female students studying six art-related subjects at a UK university in 2011. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The chart illustrates the percentage of male and female executives in six different types of profession across the UK in 2007. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where necessary. Write at least 150 words. The chart below gives some of the most reported issues among people living in UK cities in 2008 (%). Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The pie chart below shows the percentage of ad spending by different kinds of media in India from 2012 to 2017. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The graph below gives information from a 2008 report about consumption of energy in the USA since 1980 with projections until 2030. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The chart below gives the distribution of worldwide car sharing schemes (%) in 2008 and 2016. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where necessary. Write at least 150 words The bar chart gives the top eight online activities in Slovakia in a given month. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where necessary. The chart below shows the proportion of males and females in Malaysia who commonly do physical activity in 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where necessary. Write at least 150 words The chart illustrates consumption of three kinds of fast food by teenagers in Mauritius from 1985 to 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The chart shows the proportion of Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The line graph below shows the monthly ridership of four separate transportation forms in a European metropolitan area between 1980 and 2030. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features making comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The line graph below shows the number of complaints received by the complaints department of a single airline over a six-month period in 2009. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features making comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The chart illustrates average CO2 emissions per person in four European countries between 1975 and 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The table below shows a survey of the proportion of adults in California by age group who enjoyed different types of leisure activities in 2011. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Leisure Activities by Age Group (%) in 2011, California
The table shows existing and projected changes in the proportion of people over 65 in the populations of three countries from 2015 to 2030. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Projected Changes in the Population over-65 in three countries to 2030
The table shows the proportion of people in England who agreed with same-sex marriage from 1989 to 2013. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Percentage of people agreeing with same-sex marriage by religious denomination (%)
The table demonstrates the change in six types of transportation used by commuters in three cities between 2000 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Changes in Market Share for six different types of transportation between 2000 and 2010
The table illustrates the relative risk demonstrated by four different transport types in the United Kingdom in two years. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
The table below gives the average time spent and distance traveled by UK commuters in one year. Time and distance are given in minutes and miles accordingly. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Commuting Habits of different regions of the UK in a year
The diagram shows the process by which milk and related products are produced. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram shows the process by which sheep embryos are cloned. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram shows the the life cycle of flowering plants Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram shows the process by which plastic is recycled. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram shows the process of the water treatment. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram shows the process by which electricity is generated in two types of hydroelectric power station. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram shows the the life cycle of a frog. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagrams show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The diagram below shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features. Write at least 150 words. The pie chart below shows the native languages spoken by students at Bakersfield Senior College in two separate years. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The pie chart below illustrates the different types of smartphones used by attorneys in the U.S. in one year. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant Write at least 150 words. The pie charts below show the proportion of freshwater withdrawals made by various economy sectors in three countries in a given year. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The pie charts below show the results of a customer satisfaction survey comparing the performance of York Telecom and a competitor in April. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
The pie graph depicts the main reasons for the productivity loss of agricultural land worldwide. The table shows how these causes influenced three world regions during the 2000s. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
The charts below show the percentage of Irish students at one university who spoke an additional language to English from 2000 to 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The graphs below show the unemployment rate of citizens in the US with a further classification displaying average salary per week in 2005. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
The line charts show the amount of beer sold to pubs and supermarkets over six years, where a bar graph displays the amount of pubs closed over the same period. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The table shows the proportion of fifty-year-old adults who were never married over five decades in Japan. The chart represents the Japanese marriage and divorce rate from 1970 to 2016. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Number of 50-year-old adults who never been married (%)
The table shows the number of people (millions) that remain undernourished around the world from 2000 to 2009. The chart displays the global price of two food grains over the same period. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Number of Undernourished People Worldwide
The table shows total revenue created by complementary medicine over three years. The two charts illustrate the number of hospitals offering complementary medicine over twenty five years with a further classification showing which kinds of medicine proved the most popular in 2012. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Revenue from Complementary Medicine in the U.S. (in billion US dollars)
The bar chart below shows the preference for different types of Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies among US adults in 2007. The table lists which therapies where the most popular over two years. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Therapies Showing Significant Gains between 2002 and 2007 (%)
The graphs below give information concerning smartphone ownership as a percentage of population in a country from 2000 to 2010, and by level of education for the years 2000 and 2010. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The bar charts show education data related to young adults aged 15 years in 10 different countries in 2015. The first chart shows in which countries adolescents do the most homework in terms of hours per week. The second chart shows the nations that scored the best on an international science test. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The pie chart below represents the main reasons why agricultural land becomes less productive. The bar chart shows how these causes affected three regions of the world in the 1990s. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The pie chart below shows the frequency of U.S. Adults’ online purchasing habits in 2015, while the bar chart shows a further classification denoting online purchasing preferences. Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The diagrams below show the coastal village of Seaville in 1980 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The maps below show the centre of a small town called Islip as it is now, and plans for its development. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The charts below give information on the ages of the populations of Yemen and Italy in 2000 and projections for 2050. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The pie charts below show units of electricity production by fuel source in Australia and France in 1980 and 2000. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words. |
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IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples 1 - 96 |
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IELTS writing task 2 Sample 1 (Cause & Effect)
The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend. Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they are released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What effect will this have on society? More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone? Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem? One of the most pressing problems facing the world today is overpopulation. What policies do you think governments should adopt to address the causes and effects of this problem? In many parts of the world today there is a profitable market for products which lighten or whiten people’s skin. Outline the reasons for using such products and discuss what effect they have in terms of health on society? It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study science at university. What are the causes? And what will be the effects on society? Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today. What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue? Stress is now a major problem in many countries around the world. What are some of the factors in modern society that cause stress, and how can we reduce it? Levels of youth crime are increasing rapidly in most cities around the world. What are the reasons for this, and suggest some solutions? An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What can be done to deal with this situation? In many countries schools have severe problems with student behavior. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest? Overpopulation in many major urban centers around the world is a major problem. What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved? In many parts of the world, water sources are becoming more polluted. What are the consequences of this problem? What can be done to combat it? Many people say that human society has developed into a “throw-away” society, which is filled with plastic bags and rubbish. What are the causes and solutions? Nowadays we are producing more and more rubbish. Why do you think this is happening? What can governments do to help reduce the amount of rubbish produced? Many small local shops are closing as they are unable to compete with large supermarkets in the area. How does this effect local communities? How could this situation be improved? More and more wild animals are on the verge of extinction and others are on the endangered list. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve this problem? Some people advocate the death penalty for those who committed violent crimes. Others say that capital punishment is unacceptable in contemporary society.Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the death penalty and give your opinion. It is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going to university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? With the rise of e-books come the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? There seems to be an increasing trend towards assessing students through exams rather than continual assessment. What are the advantages and disadvantages as a form of assessment? Many elderly people are no longer looked after by their families, but are put in care homes or nursing homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? It is often considered that change is more beneficial to people than trying to avoid it and have everything remain the same. Do you think the advantages of change outweigh the disadvantages? People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the development of communication technology and transportation. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Nowadays governments are investing more in public transport such as buses and trains rather than in building new roads. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? One of the consequences of improved technology is that many jobs that used to be done by people can now be completed by robots or computers. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Some parents believe that extra private lessons outside school hours, where students work alone with a teacher, can help them do better at school. Others disagree.What are the advantages and disadvantages of private tuition? A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed correctly.Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world.Do you think that the benefits of tourism outweigh the drawbacks? Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Computers are becoming an essential part of education. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion. Many people in society believe that having fixed punishments for all crimes is a more efficient way of dealing with criminals in the justice system. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a fixed punishment? In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move to regional areas outside the big cities. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages? Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults.Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. In some countries, a few people earn extremely high salaries. Some people think that this is good for a country, while others believe that the government should control salaries and limit the amount that people can earn.Discuss both views and give your opinion. Some people think that when recruiting, companies should aim to take on people who are innovative and able to work independently, while others consider that they should recruit people who are able to work in a team and follow instructions. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others, however, say that cooperation and team working skills are more important.Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion. Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale, while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. All parents want the best opportunities for their children. There are some people who think that schools should teach children skills, whereas others think having a range of subjects is better for a child’s future.Discuss both sides. Some people think that the government should decide which subjects that students should study at university, while others think that students should be allowed to apply for the subject they prefer. Discuss the two views and give your opinion. Almost everyone agrees that we should be training children to recycle waste to save the Earth’s natural resources. Some believe that it is the parents who should teach their children to recycle waste. Others argue that school is the best place to do this. Discuss both views and give your opinion. There seems to be an increasing amount of serious crimes committed each year. While some think the best way is to use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe that other measures will be needed.Discuss both sides. Advertisements are becoming more and more common in everyday life. Is this a positive or a negative development? Discuss both sides. Many employers are now offering their employees the option to work from home. As a result, employees will have much more flexible working hours in the future.Is this a positive or negative development? Discuss both sides. Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative development? Discuss both sides Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialize online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative development? Discuss both sides. It is thought by some that it is better to live in the city, while others believe that life is better in the countryside. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Some people think that exercise is the key to health, while others feel that having a balanced diet is more important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Genetic engineering is a key issue in modern society. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth.Discuss both views and give your opinion. Some people argue that the public should be allowed to have guns. Others do not agree. Discuss both points of view and give your opinion. Is this a positive or negative development that governments spend a huge amount of money building public transport? Discuss both sides. Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Discuss both sides. Nowadays, some buildings such as offices and schools have open-space design instead of separate rooms. Why is it so? Do you think this is a positive or negative development? Discuss both sides. Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be?Should governments give more financial support to local film industries? Success is often measured in wealth and material belongings. Does wealth measure success? What makes a successful person? The internet is a good source of information and opened up opportunities for people all over the world. Is all information reliable online?What could be done to control information online? Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness? News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do you think that there is too much emphasis on bad news these days? Women and men are commonly seen as having different strengths and weaknesses. Is it right to exclude males or females from certain professions because of their gender? New technologies and ways of buying and selling are transforming the lives of consumers. To what extent do you agree with this opinion? Convenience foods will become increasingly prevalent and eventually replace traditional food and traditional ways of food preparation. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Convenience foods will become increasingly prevalent and eventually replace traditional food and traditional ways of food preparation. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? The money spent by governments on space programmes would be better spent on vital public services such as schools and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? The money spent by governments on space programmes would be better spent on vital public services such as schools and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have had a huge negative impact on society. To what extent do you agree? The growing number of overweight people is putting a strain on health care systems in an effort to deal with the health care issues involved. Some people think that the best way to deal with this problem is to introduce more physical education lessons in the school curriculum. To what extent do you agree or disagree? With the increased global demand in oil and gas, undiscovered areas of the world should be opened up to access more resources. To what extent do you agree? Scientists and technology experts seem to be more valued by modern society than musicians and artists. To what extent do you agree? Zoos should be banned because it is cruel to keep wild animals in captivityTo what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? The government is spending a lot of money to discover life on alien planets. Some people think that the government is wasting money and should spend money addressing the problems of the public. To what extent do you agree? More and more people are suffering from health problems caused by a modern life style which cannot be treated with modern medicines. Some people feel that a return to traditional medicine should be encouraged.To what extent do you agree? Doctors should be responsible for educating their patients about how to improve their health. To what extent do you agree with this? For centuries, important parts of education have remained such as reading, writing and maths. With the advent of computers, some people think that computer skills should be added as a fourth skill to the list.To what extent do you agree? The government should allocate more funding to teaching sciences rather than other subjects in order for a country to progress. To what extent do you agree? The role of education is to prepare children for the modern world. Schools should cut art and music out of the curriculum so that children can focus on useful subjects such as information technology.To what extent do you agree? Education should be accessible to people of all economic backgrounds. All levels of education, from primary school to tertiary education, should be free.To what extent do you agree with this opinion? The best way to help underachieving pupils is to have compulsory after school activities which they must attend. This way they will become more involved in school and their grades will improve.To what extent do you agree? As computers translate quickly and accurately, learning foreign languages is a waste of time?To what extent do you agree or disagree? The use of mobile phones in public places is as antisocial as smoking. Smoking is banned in certain places, so mobile phones should be banned in the same way. To what extent to you agree or disagree? Some people think women should be allowed to join the army, the navy and the air force just like men. To what extent do you agree? Children can learn effectively by watching television. Therefore they should be encouraged to watch television regularly at home and at school.To what extent do you agree or disagree? Artists need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artists should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas.What is your opinion? First impressions are important. Some people think that doing well in interviews is the key to securing a good job.To what extent do you agree? Doctors, nurses and teachers make a great contribution to society and should be paid more than entertainment and sports celebrities. Do you agree or disagree? Having a good university degree guarantees people a good job. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Paying all workers the same salary in a company promotes harmony and respect amongst colleagues. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Bringing in foreign workers to fill positions that domestic workers are unwilling to do can cause problems in the local community and should therefore be stopped. To what extent do you agree with this? Some people are concerned that children spend too much time on computers – playing games, chatting and watching videos. But all this time is actually good preparation for children, who will have to spend many hours working on computers throughout their education and their working lives.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Learning to manage money is one of the key aspects of adult life. How in your view can individuals best learn to manage their money? The importance of biodiversity is being more widely recognized as increasing numbers of species come under threat. What can be done to maintain biodiversity? Longer life spans and improvements in the health of older people suggest that people over the age of sixty-five can continue to live full and active lives. In what ways can society benefit from the contribution that older people can make? There is a good deal of evidence that increasing car use is contributing to global warming, and having other undesirable effects on people’s health and well-being. What can be done to discourage people from using their cars? |
Table Of Contents
IELTS Writing Test Information
The writing test consists of 2 writing tasks and you'll have a total of 60 minutes to complete both. You can complete the tasks in any order, just make sure you manage your time well and spend around 20 minutes on IELTS writing task 1 and 40 minutes on IELTS writing task 2.
IELTS Academic Writing Task VS IELTS General Writing Task
The IELTS offers two test versions. The Academic version is for people looking for higher education, while the general Training version is for those looking to simply migrate or perhaps a lower education. There are more criteria for both versions, so please contact IELTS customer service to learn which test is right for you.
So which test harder? The academic test, as you may have guessed, is more difficult than the general training test. The difference between the two is IELTS writing task 1's difficulty. Luckily, only Writing Task 1 is different. IELTS writing task 2 is the same for both test versions. The table below summarizes the two types of IELTS writing tests.
| Type of test | Task 1 | Task 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing | IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In IELTS academic writing task 1, you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. |
IELTS Writing Task 2 In IELTS writing task 2, you will need to write a traditional style essay in response to a question. You must write at least 250 words |
| General Writing |
IELTS General Writing Task 1
In IELTS General Writing Task 1, you are asked to write a letter about a given situation. This letter will be one of the following types: - Formal (Formal letters are sent to people that we do not know or have never met.) - Semi-formal (Semi-formal letters are sent to people that we do not know well.) - Informal (Informal letters are sent to people that we know well such as our friends) |
IELTS Academic Writing Task Overview Video
IELTS General Writing Task Overview Video
Coming soon!
How IELTS Writing Test is Scored
In the IELTS writing test, your writing score will be scored based on four categories. These are known as
Task Achievement/Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Refer to the following band descriptors which IELTS examiners use to score the writing section of the test:
- IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors
- IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors
Note that the scoring criteria for both tasks include:
- Task Achievement/Task Response - Did you fully answer the question and present a fully developed answer?
- Coherence and Cohesion - Does your argument or analysis make sense? Is it well thought-out and presented in a complete way?
- Lexical Resource – Did you use a wide range of vocabulary in a natural, formal tone?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Is your essay virtually error-free? Did you manage to use a wide range of grammatical structures?
Are IELTS Writing Task 1 & IELTS Writing Task 2 Worth the Same Amount of Points?
Well Just like how you will spend double the time writing IELTS writing task 2,
it's also worth around double the points. Now it's not exactly double.
Another way to look at it is to add the score for writing task 2 score twice. So take
the band scores 7 for task one and 4 for task two and you get the following
formula on how to calculate your IELTS writing score:
(7 + (4 x 2))/3 = 5.
Therefore, the total IELTS writing band score is around 4.5 - 6. You see we can't give an exact number
because IELTS has not made their scoring formula public, but the formula
presented here is fairly accurate up to a difference of about 0.5 points.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In IELTS academic writing task 1, you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
Regardless of which visual information is presented to you, your job is to write a summary of the visual information. and describe the main trends, overall differences, main changes, or the main components of a system, or the main phrases of a process. You must write 150 words or more, and you should spend around 20 minutes on this part of the test. The writing structure can be as follows:
- Introduction: Paraphrase the question
- Overview: Describe the overall trend or write a general overview of the main groupings
- Body paragraph 1: Write in detail about the first grouping in a logical way
- Body paragraph 2: Write in detail about the second grouping in a logical way
So the steps to write the report for this task is very simple:
- Analyse the chart(s) and plan how to group the information
- Write an essay using the recommended essay structure
- Proofread essay
Let's look at each different possible type of visual graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams you could encounter in your IELTS writing test:
Line Graphs
In this type of task, you will be given one or more line graphs. Each line graph will have 1-8 lines showing how values change over time. The time period could be the past, the present or the future, or a combination of all three. Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.
Sample Line Graph QuestionSummarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task - Line Graphs
In a line graph, there are usually multiple lines that show changes over time. In your writing, you need to group information based on lines having similar trends or values, so your essay structure will be as follows:
- Introduction: Paraphrase the question
- Overview: Describe the overall trend or write a general overview of the main groupings
- Body paragraph 1: Describe the first grouping of lines having similar trends or values.
- Body paragraph 2: Describe the second grouping of lines having similar trends or values.
Let’s write an essay for the aboved sample question.
Step 1: Analyse the graph and plan how to group the information
It is evident that hamburgers consumption and fried chicken consumption show an upward trend, whereas the pizza consumption shows a downward trend. Therefore, the best way to group the data would be as follows:
First grouping |
hamburgers consumption and fried chicken consumption |
Second grouping |
pizza consumption |
Step 2: Write an essay using the recommended essay structure
Now that you’ve analyzed the task and figured out how to group the information, let’s write the essay.
Model Essay
The chart illustrates the consumption of three kinds of fast food by teenagers in Mauritius from 1985 to 2015. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.
Important functional words are highlighted in red
Useful vocabulary and phrases are highlighted in green
Synonyms and topic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
Introduction
The line graph depicts the consumption of three types of fast food, (hamburgers, pizza, and fried chicken) over a 30 year period by Mauritian teenagers. Units are given as the number of times each kind was eaten per year.
The chart illustrates the consumption of three kinds of fast food by teenagers in Mauritius from 1985 to 2015.
How we paraphrase:
Task question |
Our own words |
The chart |
The line graph |
illustrates |
depicts |
three types of fast food, (hamburgers, pizza, and fried chicken) over a 30 year period by Mauritian teenagers |
Three kinds of fast food by teenagers in Mauritius from 1985 to 2015. |
Overview
Overall, hamburgers and fried chicken had become the most popular foods by 2015 with the biggest increase in numbers eaten, while pizza that was the most widely-eaten at the start, declined precipitously in popularity.
“Precipitously” means "sharply'.
Body paragraph 1
With regards to hamburgers, consumption showed a steady upward trajectory from 10 times eaten per year to over 70 times. Likewise, teenagers in Mauritius ate fried chicken only 5 times per year in 1985 before rising dramatically to a plateau in 2005, then increased slightly at the end of the period to finish as the second most popular food.
Body paragraph 2
On the contrary, although pizza was the most popular food with Mauritian adolescents in 1985, its consumption fell continuously from 60 times a year to just 10 pizzas by the last year.
“On the contrary” is used to show a contrast with the last paragraph.
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the entire IELTS Academic Writing Task - Line Graphs lesson.
Bar Charts
In this type of task, you will be given one or more bar charts. The bar charts
may show how values change over time (dynamic data), the differences between
values at one point in time (static data), or the results of a survey or questionnaire.
The information could be about the situation in the past, the present, or the future, or
a combination of all three.
Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
The chart illustrates several important living issues faced by inhabitants of seven major UK cities (Newcastle, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, and London) in 2008. Units are given in percentages.
Overall, health services proved to be the most important living issue in most cities, with education and training a close second. Least worrisome of all to UK residents was air pollution that year which on average seems around 5 times less important to city populations there.
In five of the seven cities, health and safety was the biggest concern with over 50% of city residents stating it as their number one living issue. This was especially true in Belfast and Cardiff where almost 60% of residents were worried. Education and training fell a close second in those same cities with a less than 10% difference between the two results, with the exception of Glasgow (53%) and London (52%) where it had become the biggest problem.
Regarding air pollution, only Manchester (16%), London (14%) and Cardiff (12%) had more than ten percent of their inhabitants concerned. Least of all worried about air pollution were those in Newcastle of whom only 5% of people stated this as an issue.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Charts
Bar charts are pretty common in IELTS writing task 1 academic. There are three different scenarios you will encounter in a bar chart task:
- A bar chart with categories on the x axis
- A bar chart with dates or years on the axis (functions as a line graph)
- Two bar charts presented
Each scenario requires you to write the report differently. Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the following bar charts lessons:
- IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 1 lesson.
- IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 2 lesson.
- IELTS Academic Writing Task - Bar Charts Part 3 lesson.
Pie Charts
In this type of task, you will be given one, two. or three pie charts. The pie charts
may show percentages of a total figure. If you have one pie chart, it will represent
one point in time (static data). If you have two or more pie charts, they may
represent how the percentages change over time or compare different countries or groups.
Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
The pie chart depicts the proportion of attorneys using four kinds of smartphone operating systems, Iphone, Android, Blackberry and Windows, in the US in a given year.
Overall, a clear majority of attorneys prefer using the Iphone operating system on their smart phones, though other systems are also regularly used.
Iphone usage accounts for almost two thirds of total smartphones with 62% of all attorneys using the system. This is in stark contrast to the other three operating platforms, namely Android, BlackBerry, and Windows, which together only comprise 28% of all US attorneys total smartphone use.
After the Iphone platform, Android is the second most widely-used system at 20% while Blackberry and Windows struggle to make up the remainder at 5% and 3% respectively, proving that very few if any attorneys use those platforms. Particularly of note are the 10% of US attorneys who use no smartphone in their day-to-day business or chose not to declare in this survey.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie Charts
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Pie Charts lesson.
7 day free trialTables
In this type of task, you are given a table containing data.
can show dynamic figures which change over time or static data for one point in time.
Often there is too much information, so you won't be able to include every detail.
Your task is to write a summary, covering the most important points and supporting your description by including data.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
The table displays the percentage of different types of leisure activities enjoyed by four different age groups in California in 2011.
Overall, social pursuits like watching TV and spending time with family and friends were the most enjoyed leisure activities by all age groups, though there were clear differences between ages for some. The least popular activities in general were individual-based such as gardening and playing video games for all survey respondents.
Regarding social activities, watching TV was a popular activity for the entire adult population increasing from 76% of 18-30 year olds to 89% for the over 60s. On the contrary, spending time with family or friends rapidly declined with age from 58% of those under30 to under a third of those over 60 as people spend more time alone.
Of the other activities, whereas reading declined from 22% for the youngest age group to 16% for the eldest, the amount of time spent gardening increased greatly over the four age groups from 7% to 26%. Playing video games and listening to music showed the greatest decline with age, with over 40% of young people 18-30 engaged in these activities, yet only 2% of those over 60 doing the same.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Tables
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the following tables lessons:
- IELTS Academic Writing Task - Tables Part 1 lesson.
- IELTS Academic Writing Task - Tables Part 2 lesson.
Process Diagrams
For this type of question, you will be given a diagram which shows how something works.
The diagram may show a machine, a system, or a natural phenomenon.
Often there is no data or little data included.
Your task is to summarize the information shown in the diagram.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
The diagram illustrates the way by which milk, cheese, cream and butter are produced, processed and packaged to be sold. Overall, there are eight stages shown from grazing to cows to the sale of milk to supermarkets and shops.
Initially, cows are grazed in the field then brought to a milking machine where they are milked twice a day. Following this, the milk is moved into large refrigeration tanks for storage, before being transferred to a milk tanker for transport to the Dairy where it will be processed further. This process occurs on a daily basis.
Once at the factory, the milk is subsequently processed into its various ancillary products: milk, cheese, cream and butter. To make it safe to drink, the milk undergoes pasteurization to remove any bacteria and pathogens. When the latter process is complete, it is ready to be packaged. As soon as packaging is complete, the final product is shipped off to supermarkets and shops for customers to purchase.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Process Diagrams
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Process Diagrams lesson.
7 day free trialMaps
For this type of question, you will be given one, two or three maps.
The maps may show a town, city, island, or other geographical area.
Maps usually show the changes which occurred in the area during a period of time.
The changes could be related to construction (e.g. developing an area for tourism)
or destruction (e.g. how an area was affected by a natural disaster such as an earthquake)
Your task is to write a summary of the changes which took place and cover the most important points.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
Overall, the island’s coastal features, which were largely untouched in the past, have been developed for tourism with significant infrastructure and building development in land.
In the past, the island remained mostly undeveloped except for a small pier and scientific research station on the east coast. A few trees occupied the island’s interior, with a small beach and rocks in the north and a natural spring in the west.
Today the island has changed considerably. The small scientific research outpost has been replaced with a large hotel complex and swimming pool. In order to accommodate large cruise ships, the small pier has been extended, and a minor road built to the hotel. To the west of the complex, an open restaurant with BBQ area has been established. From there, several paths connect to the rest of the island’s features.
Along the coast, a bike path circumnavigates the island connecting new tourist features including a scenic lookout next to the rocks, and swimming area by the beach. A café has also been newly constructed alongside the natural spring.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Maps
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Maps lesson.
7 day free trialMixed Data
In this type of task, you will be given two sets of data.
The data will be different types. For example, one set might be change over time while the second set is static.
Alternatively, one set of data could show percentage whereas the second set shows numbers.
You may also be given an illustration (e.g. a diagram or map) and a set of data (e.g. a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, or table)
Your task is to summarise both sets of data.
Summarise the data by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
- Write at least 150 words.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this task.
The bar chart illustrates the top ten Complementary or Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies preferred by the proportion of all adult US citizens in 2007. The table lists how the popularity of four of those therapies increased over five years in percentages.
Overall, deep breathing and massage therapies increased the most in popularity over the five year period, while natural products was the clear favorite among U.S. adults in 2007.
Between 2002 and 2007, certain alternative therapies showed higher gains than others. Deep breathing and massage saw the biggest gain in use of approximately 4%, while meditation and yoga rose by a less significant 1.9% and 2% respectively.
Of the ten most common CAM therapies, around 1 in 5 adult Americans preferred to use natural products, substantially greater than the second most widely-used technique of deep breathing which stood at 12%. Following these, around a tenth of Americans were likely to do either meditation, chiropractic, massage or yoga, whereas a significantly smaller proportion of under 3% of American adults did the remaining four CAM approaches shown.
How to tackle IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Mixed Data
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access the IELTS Academic Writing Task - Mixed Data lesson.
7 day free trialVocabulary for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
To score high on this task, you need to learn how to use appropriate words and phrases to present the data given in a pie/bar/line/mixed graph. We suggest you sign up for a 7 day free trial and complete the following lessons:
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about numbers
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about percentages
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Lesson - How to write about changes in data
IELTS Writing Task 1 Samples
This section presents a list of IELTS writing samples for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Line Chart Questions
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Bar Chart Questions
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Pie Chart Questions
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Map Questions
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Process Diagram Questions
- IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Mixed Data Questions
IELTS General Writing Task 1
In IELTS general training writing task 1, you will be presented with a situation and will need to write a personal response in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of at least 150 words. The situations you are asked to write about are common, everyday ones such as:
- writing to a college accommodation officer about problems with accommodation,
- writing to a new employer about time management problems they are having,
- writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport,
- writing to a renting agency to sort out problems with the heating system in their house.
In regards to the situation, you will be given information in the form of three bullet points that you must include in your response. You may be required to request or give information and/or explain a situation. To do this, you may need to do some of the following:
- ask for and/or provide general factual information,
- express needs, wants, likes or dislikes,
- express opinions or complaints,
- make requests or make suggestions/recommendations.
IELTS General Writing Style
The writing style you'll use depends who you're asked to write to (i.e. the audience) and how well you're supposed to know them. You need to write in a style that is appropriate for your audience and that will help you to achieve your purpose for writing, e.g. writing to a friend (informal) or writing to a manager (semi-formal or formal). You do not need to include any addresses at the head of your letters.
How to Avoid Losing Points in IELTS General Writing Task 1
As mentioned, don't spend any more than 20 minutes on this task and make sure you write at least 150 words or you will be penalised. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, you should remember that a longer task 1 answer may mean that you have less time to spend on task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing band score.
You should also remember that you'll be penalised for irrelevance, if the response is off-topic or is not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). You will be severely penalised for plagiarism (i.e. copying from another source).
IELTS Writing Sample Task 1 General Training QuestionWrite a letter to your friend. In your letter
- give contact details for when you are away
- give instructions about how to care for your pet
- describe other household duties
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear .....................,
Dear Carolyn,
Thank you for agreeing to house-sit for me. If you need to contact me during my holiday, I’ll be staying at the Imperial Hotel in Bundaberg. If it’s urgent, however, please ring my mobile phone, which I’ll keep with me at all times. I’ve written the numbers on a sticky note which I’ve left on the fridge.
My cat needs to be fed twice daily so each morning and evening put a handful of cat biscuits in his dish. You will find these in the kitchen pantry. Also, please check throughout the day to make sure he has fresh water. You can give him a small bowl of milk in the evening.
I would like you to water my plants, too. The indoor ones in the lounge only need water once every few days but the plants on the balcony need to be watered daily unless there has been heavy rain. Finally, for security, please clear my mail box every day and keep the outside lights on at night.
I look forward to seeing you on my return.
Yours,
Katie
Sample essay source: IELTS British Council Sample Answer
For more information about IELTS General Writing Task 1, check out The Ultimate Guide for the IELTS General Writing Task 1
IELTS Writing Task 2
In IELTS writing task 2, you will need to write a traditional style essay in response to a question. You must write at least 250 words. If you do not write enough words, you will be penalised. There are 6 different question types in task 2.- Causes and effects
- Discuss both views and give your own opinion
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Problems and solutions
- Two-part question
- Opinion
Now, let's look at sample questions and model essays for each essay type.
Causes and effects
In this type of question, you will be given a problem or situation. Your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some of the effects of the situation.
Sample Question- Write at least 250 words.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Model Essay
Transition words are highlighted in redTopic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
Obesity among children has risen sharply over the last decade in western countries. Such a trend is largely the result of a tendency towards convenience in society, yet its effects may be detrimental to children’s long-term mental and physical health.
The prime causes of obesity are unhealthy eating habits and an inactive lifestyle. In recent years, there has been a surge in the consumption of convenience foods among modern families. Busy parents with no time to cook rely on prepared meals to feed their families. Such foods have little to no nutritional value which contributes to obesity. In addition, children these days spend inordinate amounts of time playing video games than playing outside with friends resulting in insufficient physical activity each day. For example, studies show that children in France exercise on average around 20 minutes per day as compared to 75 minutes 30 years ago.
The possible effects of obesity are a range of health issues. Regarding physical health, diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, are known to be higher in overweight children than their peers. These put a child’s life in danger, and may further affect mental health growing up. When children are obese, they are more likely to be bullied and ostracized by classmates because they look or behave differently. This has been known to cause low self-esteem and depression in many, and thus shun friends in favor of time alone.
In conclusion, through poor diet choice and inactivity, obesity is a growing problem that can cause lasting damage to a child’s mental and physical development. However, by addressing this problem while young, much can be done to aid a child in becoming a healthy functioning adult.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion
In this type of question, you will be given two opposing views related to an issue. Usually, the two views will be in separate sentences connected by a transition word such as "however" to indicate that the two views contrast. Your task is to write a discursive essay, contrasting both sides of the issue and presenting your own view.
Sample Question- Write at least 250 words.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Model Essay
Transition words are highlighted in redTopic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
According to some, good health goes hand in hand with regular exercise, yet others feel that it is more important to maintain a balanced diet. In my opinion, I believe that exercise is more essential for the majority of people.
There are several benefits to a balanced diet for good mental and physical health. For one thing, eating well lifts moods. Simple foods that are varied in color and type can lift mood and lower the risk of depression. Eating more fruits, colorful vegetables, proteins, and whole grains helps the body run efficiently. This makes dieters feel good, and as a result more willing to be active which thus makes them healthier. For another thing, eating well makes people less prone to getting sick by building a body less susceptible to disease. Vitamins and minerals in diet boost immunity, which protects the body against certain diseases like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.
On the other hand, I believe that exercise is more effective at improving health since it encourages long-term health habits from the beginning. Exercising not only burns calories, but makes people feel good. While starting a diet is never a pleasant experience, cardiovascular exercises like cycling, walking or swimming trigger endorphins in the brain that immediately decrease stress levels, and enhance our sense of well-being. Once people start feeling good from exercise, they are more likely to continue. Moreover, exercise doesn’t have to be for long periods to achieve instant benefits. Doctors usually advise exercising for 20 minutes three times per week, a sufficiently short enough time to make a habit of, and fit into busy schedules.
In conclusion, while good diet is necessary, exercise offers greater convenience, flexibility, and by making people feel good, encourages good health habits in the long run.
Advantages and disadvantages
In this type of question, you will be asked to discuss the positive and negative aspects of a situation, solution or trend. You may also be asked to give your opinion about which side you think is more important.
Sample Question- Write at least 250 words.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Model Essay
Transition words are highlighted in redTopic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
More and more students are taking a year away from their studies between graduating from school and beginning university. Students can save for and think about their future during this period, though there are several drawbacks to consider.
To begin with, by taking a year after high school, students can avoid costly mistakes of starting a degree that they are not interested in. A year is a good time to consider options and decide what subject is best to study. Secondly, a gap year is excellent for character development. When graduating high school at 18, most people still don’t know what life direction they wish to take. Studies show that students who take a gap year doing something constructive like travelling do better in at university later on than those who do not. Finally, a year away from studies provides the chance to save money. That way, at university, students may focus more on classes, and less on debt.
However, spending such a long time away from studying may cause some students to lose good study habits, and gain bad habits instead. After 12 years of continuous schooling, many teenagers may be distracted by the prospect of earning money, and lose the motivation to continue their studies. Furthermore, individuals without a constructive plan for their education-free year may be tempted to procrastinate and waste time. Lastly, travelling overseas can be expensive, and there is a real possibility that students may end up in more debt by the start of the university year.
To sum up, although students who take a year out can save money and achieve greater life-direction, this time may also be wasted, lead to greater debt, or cause unintended life decisions that may later be regretted.
Problems and solutions
In this type of question, you will be given a problem or situation. Your task is to describe the causes of the situation and some solutions to the problem. The question may ask for general solutions (e.g. How could this problem be solved) or ask how specific groups can solve the problem (e.g. What steps can governments and individuals take to address the problem?). You do not need to mention the effects in detail, just briefly.
Sample Question- Write at least 250 words.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Model Essay
Transition words are highlighted in redTopic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
Before as now, emigration from the countryside to the city continues apace worldwide as people seek a better standard of living. However, life in the big city is often hard on new immigrants. There are several reasons for this as well as solutions for governments to handle them.
Most difficulties emerge since rural folk are unaccustomed to city life on moving there. For a start, the cost of living is much greater than in a town or village. City residents must pay more for utilities, housing, transportation and food, which causes many immigrants to share overcrowded housing in a bid to save money. Secondly, unemployment in the city is a major challenge for new arrivals. Many immigrants are unprepared for the fierce job competition when arriving in a city. This inevitably drives unemployment up, which may quickly lead to poverty. Finally, healthcare costs are often high in the city, and if made sick, many immigrants often lose meagre savings to pay for their medical care.
To solve these challenges, and improve life for all inhabitants, city governments have several options available to them. Firstly, ensure an adequate housing supply to prevent overcrowding. Developing low-end, cost effective housing for migrants would reduce living expenses and provide a base for first-time inhabitants starting a new life. Secondly, establish job schemes and professional training programs for new city residents. This would help them to find reliable work and figure out their next step. Finally, make affordable healthcare available to all. Guaranteeing access to affordable healthcare provides a social safety net for new city citizens as they adjust to city life.
In conclusion, given the diverse challenges faced by city immigrants, ensuring decent accommodation and healthcare, as well as creating job programs, can help many hit the ground running and begin contributing to city life.
Two-part question
In this type of question, you will be given two questions and you will need to answer both questions. The two questions will be different. For example, you might need to assess the importance of an idea or action (e.g. How import is it?) and say whether you agree or disagree (e.g. Do you agree or disagree?).
Sample Question- Write at least 250 words.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Model Essay
Transition words are highlighted in redTopic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
Some people regard the arts as fundamental pillars of society, and even in today’s technology-dominated world, art and music are still important. More than ever before, I believe it is necessary to teach children such subjects in school for the many benefits they bring society.
Art and music are central to life in developed civilisations. For a start, they help society to reflect on what it has become. As society advances, artists help to interpret the changes and problems created by progress in unique ways. Artists use their creativity to draw attention to key issues such as the increasing mountains of trash produced or the rich-poor divide. Secondly, artists make people more humble by helping them remember their humanity and their connections to the world around them. Pictures of nature, society, tribal scenes, past and present make people think about their roots and consider where they’re heading. Finally, music gives joy and inspiration to many people. It helps to express emotion and lift mood when feeling down.
While in school, there are key advantages to learning art and music. For one, both give children the creativity to express themselves. Children live in a world of adults; however, art and music classes allow all to be themselves which is good for their mental development. For example, while older children are less inclined, younger children often find singing, dancing and painting to be among their favorite classes. In turn, studying music has proven beneficial in helping children connect more with their emotions. This produces more rounded adults able to connect with their knowledge through science and their emotions through art and music.
In conclusion, for adults and children, the arts bring not only joy, but inspiration, and helps both to remember who they are really are in a world dominated by science.
Opinion
In this type of question, you will be given a question which contains an opinion. Your task is to write an essay in response to the opinion. This type of question often asks if you agree or disagree with an opinion.
Sample Question
- Write at least 250 words.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Model Essay
Transition words are highlighted in redTopic vocabulary are highlighted in blue
It is said by many that social networking websites like Facebook are negatively influencing society. Although I believe this the effect of social media on society is somewhat negative, there are also clear benefits to individuals from using it.
Regarding society, social networks are causing a decline in meaningful relationships. Firstly, people spend less time having good conversation with each other face-to-face. Most people spend more time having short conversations with dozens of people online, and less time having longer, meaningful conversations with friends face-to-face. This erodes close relationships over time and may be creating a more socially disconnected society as a result. Additionally, there is some evidence that social media sites like Facebook have created a more socially awkward and antisocial society. The average European spends four hours per day chatting online, yet this familiarity with the screen is causing many to become more anxious talking with others in person as a result.
However, there are distinct advantages to the individual from using social media. For one, it is very easy to find work when online. Through group functionality on sites like Facebook, job seekers can easily find a job they desire in the right field, thus increasing job satisfaction when at work. Finally, social networks bring like-minded people together in an unprecedented way. Whether it is friends looking to organize an event, or people looking to meet others with similar interests it is extremely easy to find people online. For example, just take the explosion in minor hobbies like board games clubs that have become popular due to the interconnected nature of social media.
In conclusion, in my opinion, although there is some evidence to show social networking may affect society badly in the long run, in the short term, its effects on individuals seem more positive.
IELTS Writing Samples and Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2
In general, there are 4 steps to approaching the IELTS Writing Task 2:
1. Read and Understand - Although this step may seem self-explanatory, many test takers let their nerves get the best of them and do not fully understand the question at hand. This is why the first thing you will need to during Writing Task 2 is to fully understand the question and underline key words. Additionally, think of these two things:
- What type of essay will I need to write? (For example, it can be Problem and Solution).
- How familiar am I with this topic? (This question is important, because it may affect the outline you choose to use.
2. Plan your Outline - Now that you’ve understood what the question is asking as well as which type of essay you will have to write, you are ready to map out your outline. Do not skip this step. This should take only 2 or 3 minutesand will act as a reference for you going forward. Also, depending on how the question asks you, the outline will be different. To learn how to analyze question and plan the outline for each essay type, check out our IELTS writing task 2 lessons
3. Make Outline Notes - Now that you’ve chosen and drafted your outline, make notes in your outline using key words of the main sentences of each paragraph. This will help you “map out” your essay and give you a bird’s eye view of what it will look like. At this stage, you should already be able to understand the main topics of each paragraph.4. Start Writing - After planning your outline, begin writing with your introduction and continuing on from there. Be sure to use a formal tone (do not use contractions, write out numbers lower than 10, etc.) and indent after each paragraph.
The following blog posts teach you how to tackle each question type and contain over 100 IELTS writing task 2 questions and samle essays. Feel free to use them for your IELTS preparation.
- How to Answer Opinion Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
- How to Answer Discussion Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
- How to Answer Advantage & Disadvantage Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
- How to Answer Problem and Solution Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
- How to Answer Answer Cause and Effect Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2
- How to Answer Two-part Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2