The General test is for people wanting to work in or emigrate to the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada or New Zealand. It is widely accepted for:
It is different to the IELTS Academic test which is required by universities and professional registration bodies.
– Write a minimum of 150 words : 20 minute – Write a minimum of 250 words : 40 minute | – 60 minutes |
Task 2 contributes twice as many marks to your overall score as Task 1.
T ask 1 – You are required to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation in relation to a specific circumstance.
The letter must be in one of the following styles as appropriate to the situation:
– to someone you don’t know. – to a friend or close family member. |
There are 7 common Task 1 letter topics:
Click the links for step-by-step lessons with sample questions and model answers.
Task 2 – You will be required to write an essay on a topic of general interest. Your essay will be a response to a specific point of view, problem or argument that will be stated in the question.
You may use a more personal style than would be required in the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.
There are 5 types of Task 2 essay:
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As with all elements of the IELTS exam, the IELTS General Writing test is marked according to four marking criteria.
– appropriate response to the task – the ability to present a well-structured essay – the ability to use a range of appropriate vocabulary and to use it correctly – the ability to use grammar correctly and to use a range of grammar forms |
Each carries 25% of the marks.
The two parts of the IELTS General Writing test are designed to assess your ability in different skill areas. The assessment criteria for any specific question will depend on the type of task you are asked to complete, but here is a general overview.
Don’t worry if you feel slightly overwhelmed after reading it. The lessons below contain all the help and step-by-step guidance you need to write high scoring essays and letters.
Task 1 – Your letter will assess your ability to engage in personal correspondence and be assessed in relation to one or more of these skills:
Task 2 – Your essay will be assessed in relation to one or more of the following:
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In addition to the sample questions and model answers in the lessons listed above, you will find many more in the IELTS General Writing lessons in the menus below.
Want to watch and listen to this lesson? Click on this video. |
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Ielts general writing lessons, ielts general writing task 1 – letter.
Letter Format – The format, the 7 topics, letter structure, formal & informal, assessment & marking criteria, sample questions. Essential information you need to know.
Letter Writing Tips – Learn top tips on how to meet the assessment and marking criteria and achieve a high score.
Letter Writing Structure – Find out how to use this easy to learn letter structure to write a high-scoring letter. Includes a model answer.
How To Plan a Letter – Learn a simple 5 step process & 6 part letter structure. Also, help to understand the question & generate ideas.
Formal or Informal – How to decide what type of letter to write. Sample questions & 2 model letters.
Letter Writing Vocabulary – Learn useful phrases to help you achieve a high score. Also, know how to start & end your letter.
How To Write an Informal Letter – Step-by-step instructions, simple 4 step plan & 6 part letter structure, model letter.
How To Write a Formal Letter – Step-by-step instructions, simple 4 step plan & 6 part letter structure, model letter.
Letter Topics – Learn the 7 most common letter topics & other popular subjects. Includes 20 sample questions.
IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.
The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.
Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.
How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.
How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.
How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.
How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.
Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.
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The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with.
IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes).
WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people’s lives. Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
In this task you should: Explain the first point of view Explain the second point of view Add your opinion
Sample answer:
What’s the happiest time in people’s lives: youth or old age; school, career or retirement? All of these have been suggested, but teenage years and adulthood both have many supporters.
Those who believe teenagers are the happiest people cite their lack of responsibilities as a significant factor. They are supported financially and emotionally by their parents, and although they may be included in family decisions, they’re not ultimately responsible. However, adolescents are on the threshold of adult life: they’re old enough to get a part-time job, so they can enjoy their first taste of financial independence, and their future study and career lie ahead.
Away from these serious concerns, young people have an active social life with their friends, often simply by hanging out with them. And of course, there’s the excitement of first love and first heartbreak. With all this to experience, teenagers see their parents’ lives as boring and stressful.
However, the reverse is also true. Adults see anxious, self-dramatising adolescents, and appreciate the joys of maturity. These may include a contented family life, long-lasting friendships and a career. Long-term relationships may not have the fireworks of adolescence, but are stronger for it, because of the wealth of shared experience. At work, many of us are challenged and stimulated by the increasing, professional skills we acquire, which ensures that our jobs remain interesting.
The greatest benefit, though, is that maturity gives you greater confidence in your own judgement, in all areas of life. You’re not afraid to express your opinion when others disagree and, unlike a teenager, you know when to let things go.
Both these periods can be happy times, but I look back at my own teenage years, with no desire to go back. Adult life may be less dramatic, but fireworks don’t keep you warm
In cities and towns all over the world the high volume of traffic is a problem.
What are the causes of this and what actions can be taken to solve this problem?
It is undoubtedly the case that urban areas around the world increasingly suffer from congestion. In this essay, I examine the reasons for this trend and suggest some practical policies the authorities could implement to reduce the level of traffic in our cities.
The first step is to understand why traffic has increased in towns and cities. Broadly speaking, there are three main reasons for this. One is that cars have become more affordable for the average consumer and they are no longer a luxury item, but something that most families expect to own. A second reason is that public transport has become increasingly unreliable in recent years, not least because many bus and train services have been reduced because of the difficulty in funding them. The third reason is that society has in general become more mobile and this means more people are prepared to commute to work by car than they were before.
There is almost certainly no one solution to this problem given the complexity of its causes. However, one option has to be to improve the reliability of public transport to encourage people to take the bus or the train rather than get in the car. It would also be possible to discourage people from driving to work by introducing special tariffs for using the roads, especially during peak periods. A successful example of this is the congestion charge scheme in London which has certainly reduced the level of trafficin inner-city areas.
In conclusion, there are a variety of different factors that have led to rising levels of traffic in urban areas. While it may not be possible to find a complete solution, any action should probably involve encouraging greater use of public transport and making it more expensive for the motorist to drive in urban areas.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that it is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible. What do you think are the advantages of attending school from a young age? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Here we write about the benefits. Remember: 1 advantage = 1 paragraph.
In many places today, children start primary school at around the age of six or seven. However, because it is more likely now that both parents work, there is little opportunity for children to stay in their own home up to that age. Instead, they will probably go to a nursery school when they are much younger. While some people think this may be damaging to a child’s development, or to a child’s relationship with his or her parents, in fact there are many advantages to having school experience at a young age. Firstly, a child will learn to interact with a lot of different people and some children learn to communicate very early because of this. They are generally more confident and independent than children who stay at home with their parents and who are not used to strangers or new situations. Such children find their first day at school at the age of six very frightening and this may have a negative effect on how they learn. Another advantage of going to school at an early age is that children develop faster socially. They make friends and learn how to get on with other children of a similar age. This is often not possible at home because they are the only child, or because their brothers or sisters are older or younger. So overall, I believe that, attending school from a young age is good for most children. They still spend plenty of time at home with their parents, so they can benefit from both environments.
The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with. The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with. IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes). WRITING TASK 2
In this task you should: Explain the first point of view Explain the second point of view Add your opinion Sample answer: What’s the happiest time in people’s lives: youth or old age; school, career or retirement? All of these have been suggested, but teenage years and adulthood both have many supporters. Those who believe teenagers are the happiest people cite their lack of responsibilities as a significant factor. They are supported financially and emotionally by their parents, and although they may be included in family decisions, they’re not ultimately responsible. However, adolescents are on the threshold of adult life: they’re old enough to get a part-time job, so they can enjoy their first taste of financial independence, and their future study and career lie ahead. Away from these serious concerns, young people have an active social life with their friends, often simply by hanging out with them. And of course, there’s the excitement of first love and first heartbreak. With all this to experience, teenagers see their parents’ lives as boring and stressful. However, the reverse is also true. Adults see anxious, self-dramatising adolescents, and appreciate the joys of maturity. These may include a contented family life, long-lasting friendships and a career. Long-term relationships may not have the fireworks of adolescence, but are stronger for it, because of the wealth of shared experience. At work, many of us are challenged and stimulated by the increasing, professional skills we acquire, which ensures that our jobs remain interesting. The greatest benefit, though, is that maturity gives you greater confidence in your own judgement, in all areas of life. You’re not afraid to express your opinion when others disagree and, unlike a teenager, you know when to let things go. Both these periods can be happy times, but I look back at my own teenage years, with no desire to go back. Adult life may be less dramatic, but fireworks don’t keep you warm
In cities and towns all over the world the high volume of traffic is a problem. What are the causes of this and what actions can be taken to solve this problem? It is undoubtedly the case that urban areas around the world increasingly suffer from congestion. In this essay, I examine the reasons for this trend and suggest some practical policies the authorities could implement to reduce the level of traffic in our cities. The first step is to understand why traffic has increased in towns and cities. Broadly speaking, there are three main reasons for this. One is that cars have become more affordable for the average consumer and they are no longer a luxury item, but something that most families expect to own. A second reason is that public transport has become increasingly unreliable in recent years, not least because many bus and train services have been reduced because of the difficulty in funding them. The third reason is that society has in general become more mobile and this means more people are prepared to commute to work by car than they were before. There is almost certainly no one solution to this problem given the complexity of its causes. However, one option has to be to improve the reliability of public transport to encourage people to take the bus or the train rather than get in the car. It would also be possible to discourage people from driving to work by introducing special tariffs for using the roads, especially during peak periods. A successful example of this is the congestion charge scheme in London which has certainly reduced the level of trafficin inner-city areas. In conclusion, there are a variety of different factors that have led to rising levels of traffic in urban areas. While it may not be possible to find a complete solution, any action should probably involve encouraging greater use of public transport and making it more expensive for the motorist to drive in urban areas.
Here we write about the benefits.Remember: 1 advantage = 1 paragraph.
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Effective IELTS Essay Connectors for Writing Task 2 & Task 1
Writing task 1 of the IELTS General Writing test is always letter writing. In Task 1, you will be given a situation, and based on the situation, you will be asked to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter. It is advisable to spend 20 minutes on Writing task 1, which requires you to write at least 150 words.
Sample letters for each type of letter asked in the exam is given below for reference.
Your workplace does not have a parking area for cars, and it is causing some problems. Write a letter to your manager and include the following:
– Describe the problems it has caused.
– Explain what benefits a parking area would bring to the company.
– Suggest a solution.
Dear Mr. Johny,
I’m writing this letter to express my concern about the parking space for cars in our office. You are aware that we have recently relocated and do not have parking facilities in this building.
Let me explain the issue in detail. As we have relocated our organization to a new location, we are facing some problems with parking. Due to an increase in workforce, the number of vehicles has also increased. As a result, we are facing problems with parking. The vehicle owners have to park their vehicles on roadsides and whatever vacant space available near the office building.
Therefore, I believe that management should address the aforementioned issue to avoid chaos in front of the building and unauthorized parking issues. Having our own parking space will smoothen the parking process and save the time of employees.
I suggest that we rent a nearby vacant space for parking and appoint a guard to assist vehicle owners and stop any confusion. Request you to take the necessary actions at the earliest.
Yours truly,
A semi-formal letter is written to someone whom you only know professionally
Points covered in the sample answer:
You made a reservation at a hotel for you and your colleagues to stay during a business trip, but you need to make some changes to your booking. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter
– Give details of your booking
– Explain what changes you need to make
– Ask for some special arrangements to be made for your business meetings.
Dear Sir/Ma’am
I am Kanika Gupta, and I booked four deluxe rooms in your hotel for six days in August. I am writing this letter to request that you change our booking dates and the number of rooms for the period.
I was supposed to stay in the hotel along with three colleagues, from 6th August till 11th August 2021. However, due to the change in meeting dates, we would not be able to check in on the given dates. Hence, I am requesting you to kindly change our arrival dates to 23rd August and departure dates to 28th August. Now that the meeting is postponed, more colleagues will possibly be joining us for the meeting. Therefore, I also request you to increase the number of rooms from three to five.
Also, now that the meeting is postponed, we would require a new meeting venue. I would like to request arrangements for our business meeting for two days for 15 employees. That would be 24th and 25th August respectively.
I regret the inconvenience caused to you due to the above changes.
I look forward to a positive response from your end.
Yours sincerely,
Kanika Gupta
A formal letter is for an official purpose and written to someone whom you do not know personally.
Write a letter to your friend who lives in a different country about your plan to work overseas. In your letter say
– What jobs do you plan to do?
– Why do you want to work overseas?
– Ask for some information related to jobs, such as salary, working hours and so on.
How are you? I hope you are enjoying your life in Canada. I have some great news for you. I have recently appeared for a language test, and I am on cloud nine as I passed with flying colors, and now I am planning to fly.
Actually, it’s my long-held aspiration to get a well-paid job in a country like Canada. Since I am a marketer, I can handle any work in the office and hope to get a decent marketing manager position. As you know, I have experience in multiple fields like sales, counseling, and production. So I hope I will not struggle to seek employment overseas.
My family encouraged me to migrate to Canada and expand my career there. I have to take this as a challenge because I have never lived away from home.
Out of all my friends and family, only you work in Canada. I guess you might be able to help discover job opportunities there. Please share some options which are applicable for my qualification and skills. Do tell me about the pay scale and details about the working conditions and working time in Canada.
Hope to meet soon and have a great time together.
Warm Regards
An informal letter is for personal purpose and written to someone whom you only know personally
IELTS General Writing task 1 tips to improve your letter writing skills
Also check :
Band 9 IELTS Vocabulary for Academic Writing Task 1 + PDF
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Free ielts writing sample for ielts general task 1.
Make sure you download the free IELTS writing sample for task 2 as well!
In your letter
Dear Peter,
How are you? I hope you’ve been well. Sorry for having been out of touch for a short while. There have been some changes in my life and I wanted to let you know the latest from my side.
The big news is that I have finally changed my job. Do you remember when you were here on holiday, and I always talked about how I hated my boring bank job? Well, it was clear I needed a change. So, finally, I took a part-time advertising course and trained to be a creative designer. Now I’m working full-time in an agency. Each day, I look forward to going to work. My clients come from all over the world and I love working with them.
Aside from that, I also moved to a new apartment near the building where I work. It’s small, but downtown, so I am right in the heart of the city, instead of way out in the suburbs. Suddenly, there are so many fun things to do, in the evenings too. I am a much happier person today because of these recent changes.
So, how about you? I hope you’ll have a chance to visit Australia again soon. In the meantime, please write and let me know what’s new with you.
Warm wishes
Although they are helpful, it’s very rare that reading a IELTS writing sample will be enough to help you pass the IELTS writing section . E2Language online IELTS courses provide you with the best methods & strategies for mastering the PTE writing section on your first try.
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These are IELTS band 8 essay samples that have been given grades (of 8 or 8.5) and basic comments on the score for each criteria by an experienced IELTS instructor.
Some people believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to take care of their own health and diet. Others however believe that governments should make sure that their citizens have a healthy diet.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Nowadays an increasing number of people are becoming concerned about their health and the quality of their diet. There are two diametrically opposed opinions on the matter. Some people believe that each and every individual is responsible for their own health while others state that it is the government that must ensure that the citizens have healthy eating habits.
Personally, I believe that people bear full responsibility for their diets for a number of reasons. First, nowadays there is a vast variety of products that everyone can choose from, ensuring a balanced diet consisting of different types of products with sufficient vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Everyone can balance their diets according to these factors and also based on their taste preferences. For example vegetarians will prefer beans rich in protein while omnivorous eaters might opt for meat instead. Secondly, while governments cannot considerably vary in their healthy eating programs usually adhering to 'one size fits all' approach, individuals know exactly what they need in order to keep fit and healthy both generally speaking and in terms of food. We take tailored approach as we know exactly what we need to succeed in life, be strong and healthy.
However, others argue that the government is fully responsible for the kind of food its population consume because they make decisions regarding the quality of food their country produce and import as well as prices. For instance, in many developing countries people rarely have access to high quality food, thus being forced to choose something cheap like fast food. Moreover, the government can introduce legislation as regards to what kind of food can be promoted, seen for example in many European countries where the advertising of fast food, alcohol and cigarettes is prohibited. These measure, it is argued, can affect the way we eat and control the diets of the whole population.
In conclusion, while the governments may play a role in the choice of food of its citizens, it is still the responsibility of every individual whether to eat healthy diet or not due to many reasons being that a variety of methods to balance their diets or their finances. After all our life is in our hands!
The question is answered and ideas are well-supported. Both parts of the question are fully addressed. Some parts are not given quite enough explanation and the logic appears faulty. For instance, the statement that developing countries depend on fast food. The essay should also not end with an informal comment such as "After all our life is in our hands!"
This IELTS band 8 essay sample is well-organised with a mix of transition signals and some good use of referencing and substitution. However, there are slightly too many transitions in initial position to get a 9 e.g. first, for example, secondly. These need to be more sophisticated. There is a danger with this that it could be awarded a band 7.
There is a good mix of relevant topic related vocabulary of a high level, an excellent awareness of collocation, and plenty of evidence of less common vocabulary. However, there are some errors which would prevent a 9 e.g. "...cannot considerably vary in...".
The writer has a very good grasp of grammar with a good mix of complex sentence and forms, with a very high level of accuracy. However, a few errors persist that prevent a 9 e.g. a missing article in "We take tailored approach" and "whether to eat healthy diet..." and a missing plural 's' in "These measure...".
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 solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation?
Nowadays more and more professionals that play a key role in the social stability and development, including in the spheres of education and medicine prefer to find a job in more developed countries that provide more opportunities. Evidently, it creates a deficiency and lack of professional help in the above-mentioned spheres. This essay will address the problems such situation causes and conceivable solutions to redress it.
The most serious problem associated with the drain of the experts in vital areas of life is the consequent shortage of specialists and hence, lack of professional help for citizens of poor countries that can lead to deterioration of the conditions of life. It goes without saying that it is the work of these specialists that is absolutely essential for the survival of people. For example, if professional, qualified doctors leave their poorer countries in search of a better life it leads to a deterioration in the medical help available and in some cases even considerable life losses and decrease of life expectancy. Therefore, local communities and the whole society are seriously affected by such changes in the labour market.
To redress the balance in such a situation there must be serious measures taken by the government. Considerable funds are to be invested in these spheres to contribute to the improvement of work conditions and salaries of different professionals. For example, governments might stimulate young professionals by paying them additional bonuses for working in public hospitals and schools or fund their education. This, in turn, will create better chances to retain stuff and boost the morale of experts, who might choose to stay in their countries in order to contribute to its growth and development.
To conclude, it is apparent that a great number of specialists, especially young ones, opt for working in more developed countries and this trend is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. However, governments can try to solve this problem by allocating more funds and invest more in the enhancement of working conditions for specialists. Were they to turn a blind eye to the current situation, it would have a pernicious effect on their countries.
B oth problems and solutions are addressed in the essay, and ideas are extended and supported. The ideas though in each body paragraph could have been explained more succinctly, providing the opportunity to add further supporting ideas, rather than the just one that appear in each body paragraph. Reducing the length of the introduction and conclusion would help to achieve this.
Generally coherence and cohesion is very good in this IELTS band 8 essay sample but there could be more variety and more sophisticated cohesive devices used i.e. 'for example' is used twice.
An excellent range of vocabulary, mostly used correctly and appropriately However, a few minor errors persist, such as using 'stuff' instead of 'staff'.
The IELTS band 8 essay sample overall has very good grammar, but there are still a few grammatical errors or the wrong choices. For example, "Considerable funds are to be invested" should be "Considerable funds should be invested" and there are also some errors with punctuation, such as missing commas.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Lessons, exercises, and tips. In the writing section of the IELTS test you have to write a minimum 250 word essay. Learn how to write the perfect IELTS essay in order to achieve a high IELTS score.
See the latest IELTS writing topics from the exam which have been posted by candidates who've taken the test.
Looking at IELTS sample essays is an excellent way to learn how to improve your score. Here you can view a variety of IELTS essay topics with answers to help you prepare for the Test.
Improve your IELTS Grammar for the test - essential grammar explanations and exercises for IELTS writing.
IELTS topic related vocabulary around crime, education, health, children and the family and more to help you with the IELTS Test.
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Thanks to the kind contribution of one of our students, here are the latest writing questions from her General Training IELTS exam. These questions will help you prepare effectively and understand what to expect in your upcoming test.
IELTS Writing Test – General Training
Writing task 1 (a letter)
You stayed in a rental apartment during your trip last year and were generally satisfied with it. However, there was one issue that you encountered. You are planning another trip and would like to rent the same apartment again. Write a letter to the owner. In your letter:
– Express your interest in renting the apartment again. – Mention the problem you faced during your last stay. – Provide details about your upcoming trip and ask about the availability of the apartment.
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam,
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Parents in many countries leave their young children in the care of others while they go to work. Is this a positive or a negative trend?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
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Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and the author of several renowned IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005, Simone has been committed to making IELTS preparation accessible and effective through her books and online resources. Her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.
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Published: Jul 17, 2024, 11:18am
If you apply to universities as an international student , you likely need to demonstrate your English language proficiency. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most-used English language tests in the world. Every week, 60,000 test-takers measure their skills with IELTS, and over 12,000 institutions around the globe accept scores from this exam.
But what is IELTS? Can you take IELTS online? And what are the best IELTS preparation strategies?
Your IELTS score can determine which colleges accept your applications or whether you qualify for a work visa. Because IELTS assesses your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, it can be challenging to study for the exam.
IELTS is a standardized test that assesses your English language competency. Designed for nonnative speakers, IELTS determines whether your language skills meet the requirements to work or study in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
In the U.S., over 3,400 academic institutions accept IELTS to admit international students . That includes top-ranked colleges, law schools, medical schools and boarding schools.
IELTS offers three exam formats:
The test includes multiple-choice, completion, short-answer, written and spoken questions. Because of the variety of question types, it’s important to study for the IELTS exam and take practice tests.
Thousands of academic institutions around the world use IELTS to assess students’ English proficiency. If you apply to an American college as an international student with a first language other than English, you probably need to send scores from a test like IELTS with your application.
Many test-takers also take IELTS as part of the immigration process. The U.S., the U.K. and Canada all accept IELTS results when issuing visas.
However, your reason for taking IELTS will determine which version of the test you should take. The IELTS academic test measures English language skills for academic study, while examinees can use the IELTS general training test for visa applications or to apply to non-degree-granting programs.
IELTS measures your English language competency in four areas: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Test-takers complete the listening, reading and writing sections on the same day. They can also schedule the speaking portion for the same day, or for any time a week before or after the other sections.
The test requires 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The 30-minute listening section includes 40 questions about four recorded texts. The recordings include two monologues and two conversations in different accents. After listening to the recording once, test-takers answer questions about the recordings, which cover English language use in everyday social interactions, educational settings or training contexts.
The 60-minute reading section differs depending on whether you take the academic IELTS or the general training IELTS. On the academic test, you read three long reading passages from sources including books, journals and newspapers. Then, you answer 40 questions about these passages.
On the general training test, you read 5-6 texts on everyday topics and work drawn from books, newspapers, official documents and advertisements. Then, you answer 40 questions about these texts.
The 60-minute writing section requires at least 400 words of writing. The academic test provides visual information in a graph or table, which examinees have 20 minutes to describe in at least 150 words. In contrast, the general training test gives test-takers 20 minutes to write at least 150 words in response to a provided situation.
Additionally, both tests ask examinees to write at least 250 words about a problem, point of view or argument in about 40 minutes.
The speaking section, which takes 11 to 14 minutes, tests candidates on their ability to communicate effectively. In the first part, the examiner asks general questions about family, school and other everyday topics. The second part presents you with a topic and gives you one minute to prepare to speak on the topic for up to two minutes. The examiner may ask one to two follow-up questions. The third part includes additional questions on the topic from part two, with an opportunity to discuss abstract ideas.
IELTS scores range from 1 at the low end to 9 at the high end and use half-point increments. Many colleges and universities require a score of 7 or higher to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate program, according to the British Council.
You receive a score of 1 to 9 on each section of the exam, plus an overall band score based on the IELTS scoring chart:
Score | Skill Level |
---|---|
9 | |
8 | |
7 | |
6 | |
5 | |
4 | |
3 | |
2 | |
1 |
Test-takers receive results quickly: within 3-5 days for computer IELTS exams, 6-8 days for online tests and 13 days for paper tests.
Preparing for IELTS can feel intimidating. The unique test format, which covers diverse skills, poses challenges when it comes to studying. These IELTS preparation tips can help you structure your study sessions and hit your score goal.
Few standardized tests measure reading, listening, writing and speaking skills. Make sure you understand the format of the test and the types of questions you’ll see. For example, the reading section uses multiple question formats. Read the directions thoroughly to ensure you understand what each question asks. In the speaking section, you can ask the examiner for clarification without penalization to make sure you’re answering the question fully.
Review the minimum IELTS score you need to get into the U.S. schools on your list or to receive a visa. Aiming for a perfect score of 9 on each section may require intensive studying, but you can get into most U.S. colleges and universities with at least a 7. Once you establish your goal score, figure out which areas of the test are most likely to lower your score and target them accordingly. Sometimes, focusing on polishing your strengths can pay off more than studying your weakest areas.
Determine how much time you need to prepare for IELTS test day and create a study schedule. Break your time down by section type to make sure you cover each section. Draw on resources such as videos, test preparation books or classes to organize your schedule. You can also listen to recorded lectures or television shows to practice for the listening section of the test.
Taking practice tests is one of the best ways to improve your score and focus your studying. Free practice questions and tests can help you identify the areas where you need more work. When taking practice tests, make sure you choose the format that aligns with the format you signed up for on exam day. To practice the speaking section, review common conversational topics to test your skills.
It may be tempting to memorize answers, but doing so can hurt your score. On the speaking and writing sections, for example, the examiners assess your coherence, vocabulary, grammatical range and accuracy. If you provide answers that sound rehearsed, this can impact your score negatively. Similarly, if your answers don’t fit the prompt well, it can hurt your score for task achievement and task response, two factors that evaluate relevance and appropriateness.
Test-takers can use many online resources to prepare for IELTS test day, including free resources offered through IELTS itself.
IELTS offers free resources on their website that can help you prepare for the academic or general training tests. These include sample questions for reading, writing and listening as well as a practice exam that simulates the test-day experience.
The official IELTS by IDP app gives you access to expert-guided tutorials, practice questions and interactive quizzes. You can personalize your study sessions using the app, which offers a 14-day free trial.
Cambridge University, which helps develop the IELTS exam, offers the IELTS Intelligence prep program. This resource includes self-study lessons and sample questions. You receive detailed feedback, including a breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses, on sample questions.
How do i prepare for ielts at home.
You can prepare for IELTS at home by taking practice tests and strengthening your listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities. Make sure to take the test in a quiet, calm environment.
Because IELTS challenges test-takers to demonstrate their English proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking, earning a high score on the exam can be challenging.
The length of time you need to devote to IELTS preparation depends on your English language skills. Many test-takers spend several months preparing for the exam.
You can boost your IELTS speaking score by focusing on grammatical range, accuracy and vocabulary. To score at least an 8, keep in mind that examiners expect test-takers to demonstrate fluency with minimal mistakes.
Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure at the University of Louisville. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in higher education, Genevieve provides practical, research-based advice on college degrees, career training and other higher education topics.
With 65 test locations, booking your IELTS test in the UK has never been easier. Whether it’s a test for your student visa, emigration, professional development or a secure English language test (SELT) for UK visa, take IELTS with British Council.
IELTS Academic and General Training | Assessing listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities. for UK Visas and Immigration purposes. | From £190 - 220 depending on location | |
IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training | SELT test for UK Visas and Immigration.* Assessing listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities. | £220 | |
IELTS Life Skills A1, A2 and B1 | SELT test for UK Visas and Immigration.* Assessing speaking and listening abilities. | £155 |
*Please check gov.uk before booking SELT.
There are different types of IELTS tests you can take, depending on what you want to do.
Before booking your test, make sure to check with the organisations you are applying to, or the government website .
1. A valid identification document Have a form of valid ID (Passport) at hand, as you will need to upload a clear copy of it when you book your test. Your ID must be valid at the time of booking and on the test day. If you're under 18, your parents will also need to complete the consent form online. IELTS is not recommended for anyone under 16.
2. A form of payment, such as a bank card, to pay for your test Payment methods vary between IELTS test centres, but most accept payment online or by card/cash at the test centre. Contact the test centre directly for more details.
You will receive emails confirming:
Download and read our Information for Candidates (PDF 4MB), which contains important information about the exam format, the question types and the test result.
If you are taking an IELTS test and it’s not a SELT test for UK Visas and Immigration, please contact the IELTS test centre in which you have registered or taken your test. Download the pdf below for contact details.
If you are taking SELT (IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills) for UK or Ireland, and would like assistance, please contact British Council Customer service UK.
Please use the web form here or call +44 (0)161 884 0291 between 08:00 – 20:00 UK time, Monday to Friday.
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The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with. IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes). WRITING TASK 2
Free online IELTS General Training Writing practice test - paper. You will be allowed 1 hour to complete two tasks in the IELTS General Training Writing test. The two parts of this practice Writing test are presented on two separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible.
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 100 Band 7, 8, and 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 essay samples to help you improve your writing skills and boost your chances of achieving a high score on the exam. These sample essays cover a wide range of topics, from education and technology to health and environment, and are a valuable resource for ...
IELTS Sample Essays. Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.. The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.. You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page.. Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for ...
The sample below uses IELTS Academic questions for the Reading and Writing sections so while you won't get to practise General Training questions in all the sections, you will get to familiarise yourself with the test platform. As these are practice tests, they are not timed. There are some variations from the live tests, including the timer ...
IELTS general writing task 1 sample: You will be graduating from university and would like to invite your family to the ceremony. Write a letter of invitation to your parents. In the letter: - Explain that you have completed your studies. - Give details of the event, including time, date and dress code.
Duration: 60 minutes. The General Training Writing test includes two tasks that are based on topics of general interest. Task 1. You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
In the real IELTS General Training Writing test, you will have one hour to complete both of the two set writing tasks. Task 1 should take you 20 minutes, leaving 40 minutes for task 2. Before starting the first practice task, you might like to set an alert to make sure you don't go too far over. When you take your IELTS General Training ...
In this post, we'll share an IELTS General Training Writing practice test PDF with answers that you can use to develop your skills before test day. So take a look at the IELTS General Writing Task 1 Practice Test (with Answers) PDF, then come back when you've finished your essay for info about scoring!
This is the second section of your IELTS General Training Writing test. You should spend about 40 minutes on it. Write about the following topic: Task 2. Some people think that having a set retirement age (e.g. 65 years) for everybody, regardless of occupation, is unfair. They believe that certain workers deserve to retire and receive a pension ...
100 IELTS Essay Questions. Below are practice IELTS essay questions and topics for writing task 2. The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question.
The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or ...
Whether you're taking the IELTS academic or general exam, writing task 1 is the first section of the IELTS writing task. Our website contains numerous online resources to help you prepare for this part of your IELTS exam, with different IELTS vocabulary, writing exercises and task 1 sample essays.. It is important that you focus your preparation on the right information so that you're able ...
The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Advantages and Disadvantages. Problem and Solution. Discussion (Discuss both views) Two-part Question. Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question.
Find free practice tests, webinars run by IELTS Experts and more. The General Training Writing test is made up of two tasks, Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. The topics in each task are of general interest. In Writing Task 1, you will be given a situation where you will need to write a letter to request information or explain the situation.
IELTS General Writing Task 2 - Essay. IELTS Writing Task 2 - T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know. The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay - How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure ...
IELTS Band 9 sample essay. Band 9 Sample answers are useful as study guides for IELTS preparation for the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay - especially for a band 9 IELTS essay. Having access to previously completed work that you can have confidence in will show you what you are missing! Take a look at these sample task 2 essay questions to help ...
Task 2. Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child's development while others think that it is important for children to go to school. Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at ...
The 2nd task in IELTS General Writing is to write an essay. Here are the examples of successful responses for a high score. Pay attention to the structure of the answer and how paragraphs composition; main ideas and the examples they are supported with. IELTS General Writing Task 2 looks like this (part in bold changes). WRITING TASK 2
IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples. Writing task 1 of the IELTS General Writing test is always letter writing. In Task 1, you will be given a situation, and based on the situation, you will be asked to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter. It is advisable to spend 20 minutes on Writing task 1, which requires you to write at least ...
Free IELTS Writing Sample for IELTS General Task 1. Make sure you download the free IELTS writing sample for task 2 as well! Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter. explain why you changed jobs. describe your new job.
35 Sample Band 9 IELTS Essays. Take a look at these 35 sample Band 9 IELTS essays for writing task 2 of the IELTS exam. Task 2 can cover a wide range of essay topics for the IELTS writing task section of the test, so preparation is key. Use the following samples when preparing your IELTS essays to see how close you are to a band 9!
Topic: Health & Diet (Band 8) Some people believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to take care of their own health and diet. Others however believe that governments should make sure that their citizens have a healthy diet. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Nowadays an increasing number of people are becoming concerned about ...
IELTS Writing - samples of IELTS essays of Band 8. Essays Band 7. IELTS Writing - samples of IELTS essays of Band 7. Essays Band 6. ... IELTS Writing Test - General Training. Writing task 1 (a letter) You stayed in a rental apartment during your trip last year and were generally satisfied with it. However, there was one issue that you ...
IELTS measures your English language competency in four areas: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Test-takers complete the listening, reading and writing sections on the same day.
Take the IELTS General Training test to study at below degree level, work in an English-speaking country or your own country and emigrate to an English-speaking country. If you are taking the IELTS test to support a UK visa application to work, live or study in the UK, you may need to take a secure English language test (SELT).