IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay Sample Answers

  • IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay Sample Answers

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.
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IELTS General Training - sample test questions

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Preparing for your IELTS General Training test

We want you to do well in your test. To help you get ready, here are some sample tests for the General Training test.

Listening and Speaking tests are the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.

With these official practice materials you can:

  • get used to the test format
  • experience the types of tasks involved
  • test yourself under timed conditions
  • review your answers and compare them with model answers.

IELTS General Training - paper sample tests

The Listening test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and consists of four recorded monologues and conversations.

The following IELTS Listening sample tasks are to be used with the Answer Sheet and MP3 audio files and/or transcripts. Each answer sheet indicates which recording to listen to, or if a transcript is provided.

Listening sample tasks

  • Listening sample tasks (PDF 777 KB)
  • Listening answer sheet (PDF 1 MB)

Find out more about the Listening test

A variety of tasks is used including: multiple-choice questions, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

General Training Reading sample tasks

  • General Training Reading sample tasks (PDF 1 MB)
  • General Training Reading answer sheet (PDF 490 KB)

Find out more about the General Training Reading test

The General Training Writing test consists of two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words.

In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.

In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

General Training Writing sample tasks

  • General Training Writing sample tasks (PDF 1 MB)

Find out more about the General Training Writing test

In the Speaking test, you have a discussion with a certified examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get. There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test taker output. In Part 1, you answer questions about yourself and your family. In Part 2, you speak about a topic. In Part 3, you have a longer discussion on the topic. The Speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Each of the three parts is designed to test a different aspect of your communication ability.

Speaking Sample tasks

  • Speaking sample tasks (PDF 403 KB)

IELTS General Training - computer sample tests

The Listening question types for IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test.

A variety of tasks is used including: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion, short-answer questions.

  • Multiple choice (one answer)

You will hear an extract from a Part 3 recording in which a student called Judy is discussing her research with her tutor and fellow students.

For each question, click on the correct answer.

  • Multiple choice (one answer) - Answer key (PDF 24 KB)
  • Multiple choice (one answer) - Recording transcript (PDF 84 KB)
  • Multiple choice (more than one answer)

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which two people are discussing a guide to a library.

Click on the correct answers.

  • Multiple choice (more than one answer) - Answer key (PDF 23 KB)
  • Multiple choice (more than one answer) - Recording transcript (PDF 78 KB)

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling (Type A)

You will hear an extract from Part 2 of the test in which a tour guide describes different places in a US town.

For each question, click on the correct space in the table.

  • Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling
  • Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling - Answer key (PDF 21 KB)
  • Plan/Map/Diagram - Recording transcript (PDF 75 KB)

Note completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which two people are discussing second-hand furniture.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

  • Note completion - Answer key (PDF 22 KB)
  • Note completion - Recording transcript (PDF 92 KB)
  • Table completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 4 recording in which a university lecturer is giving a talk about research into ‘learner persistence’.

  • Table completion - Answer key (PDF 26 KB)
  • Table completion - Recording transcript (PDF 31 KB)

Flow-chart completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)

You will read an extract from a Part 3 recording in which two biology students are comparing their research on evidence of life on Earth and other planets.

For each question, click on the correct answer and move it into the gap.

  • Flow-chart completion
  • Flow-chart completion - Answer key (PDF 92 KB)
  • Flow-chart completion - Recording transcript (PDF 40 KB)
  • Sentence completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 3 recording in which two friends are discussing studying with the Open University.

  • Sentence completion - Answer key (PDF 30 KB)
  • Sentence completion - Recording transcript (PDF 37 KB)
  • Short-answer questions

You will hear an extract from Part 2 of the test in which a representative from a clothing company is giving a talk to high school students.

  • Short-answer questions - Answer key (PDF 22 KB)
  • Short-answer questions - Recording transcript (PDF 78 KB)

The General Training Reading question types in IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test. A variety of tasks is used including: multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying a writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, summary completion, note completion, sentence completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Multiple choice

  • General Training Sample task - Multiple choice
  • General Training Sample task - Multiple choice - Answer key (PDF 49 KB)

True/False/Not Given

  • General Training Sample task - True/False/Not Given
  • General Training Sample task - True/False/Not Given - Answer key (PDF 49 KB)

Matching information

  • General Training Sample task - Matching information
  • General Training Sample task - Matching information - Answer key (PDF 156 KB)

Matching features

  • General Training Sample task - Matching features
  • General Training Sample task - Matching features - Answer key (PDF 49 KB)

Summary completion

  • General Training Sample task - Summary completion
  • General Training Sample task - Summary completion - Answer key (PDF 49 KB)
  • General Training Sample task - Note completion
  • General Training Sample task - Note completion - Answer key (PDF 65 KB)
  • Sentence completion - Answer key (PDF 239 KB)

Find out more about the General Training Reading test

The General Training Writing question types in IELTS on computer are the same as in IELTS on paper.

In Part 1, you are asked to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.

In Part 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

  • General Training Sample task - Writing - Part 1
  • General Training Sample task - Writing - Part 2
  • General Training Writing sample scripts and examiner comments (PDF 362 KB)

Find out more about the General Training Writing test

IELTS on computer practice experience

The practice experience will show you how everything will look on your computer ahead of the test day. 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, highlighting, and notes functions performing differently.

In this  Listening test sample , you will hear four different recordings.

You will hear each recording ONCE only.

The test is in four parts, with 40 questions in total.

This Academic Reading sample will show you three texts to read.

The test is in three parts, with 40 questions in total.

This Academic Writing sample consists of two writing tasks.

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IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test (PDF with Answers)

Business person writing in IELTS general writing task 1 practice test with answers pdf

Taking a practice test is one of the best things you can do to prepare yourself for the IELTS General Training test. When it comes to writing, though, practice is especially important! 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!

Ready to start practicing? In this PDF, you can read the sample questions, write your own essays, and then them to the model essays and scoring advice in the document. Here’s the IELTS General Training Writing practice test PDF for download:

Click to download IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test

How should I score this practice Writing section?

Once you’ve finished your section, it’s time to score the tasks. First things first: review the band descriptors for Task 1 and Task 2 .

Get a higher IELTS score? Start your online IELTS prep today with Magoosh.

Then, take a closer look at your essays, rereading them to evaluate how well they meet the criteria in each of the four categories.

It can be very difficult to score your own essay objectively, so working with a scoring partner is useful here. That said, if you’re scoring your responses on your own, you can ask yourself the following questions to help determine your band level for each criterion:

  • Did your Task 1 word count exceed the 150 word minimum, and did your Task 2 word count exceed the 250 word minimum? If not, do not give yourself full points for “Task Response.”
  • Did you address each part of the task? Break down the prompt into different parts. Then, match each part of the prompt to part of your essay. If you did not address one or more parts of the task, do not give yourself full points for “Task Response.”
  • Does each paragraph have its own clear topic sentence and supporting details? If not, then take some points away in “Coherence and Cohesion.”
  • Do the tasks use adequate transitional language to tie paragraphs together and move from the paragraph to the conclusion? If not, do not give yourself full points for “Coherence and Cohesion.”
  • Do you use vocabulary clearly and fluently, avoiding serious errors in word choice, and varying word choice to avoid repetition? If not, your self-score in “Lexical Resource” should not be perfect.
  • Do you use grammar with confidence and skill, with no serious mistakes? And do you use a variety of sentence structures? If the answer to any of that is “no,” give yourself a less-than-perfect score in “Grammatical Range and Accuracy.”

Additional Practice Writing Tests for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training

Sitting down to complete this IELTS General Writing Task 1 Practice Test (with Answers) PDF is a great first step. However, the key to really boosting your score on this section of the IELTS is regular practice. With that in mind, here are more resources where you can find more sample writing tasks for IELTS Writing!

In our IELTS Writing practice test post , you’ll find the full Academic Writing section in PDF form, another in video form, as well as an additional full General Training Writing section! Keep in mind that while the Task 1 question types differ between Academic and General Training tasks, Task 2 is the same in both versions. In other words, no matter which test you’re taking, all of the task 2 prompts in these links are useful practice.

Magoosh’s IELTS Academic Writing practice test is also useful for the same reason! Again, if you’re taking the General Training exam, skip the first task, replacing it with a GT prompt (such as those you’ll find on the Magoosh blog!).

Additional Practice Questions

If you prefer to go through individual questions rather than whole Writing sections, take a look at the following resources! Keep in mind that their usefulness will vary, depending on which test you’re taking. (Also, some of these questions can be found in the PDFs as well, while others are wholly unique.)

  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Map With Model Answer — When you need practice with map questions specifically for the IELTS, this sample prompt and answer show you what a high-scoring response look like.
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Process Diagram with Model Answer — Process diagrams on Task 1 can scare students, but they get a lot easier with practice!
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Line Graph with Model Answer (Band 9) — What does a high-scoring response on this common Academic Task 1 task type look like? Our experts show you here.
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Pie Chart with Model Answer — When the test asks you to analyze a pie graph, what should you do? This sample prompt and response will help you prepare.
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/Solutions Sample Essay — How can you get a high score on a causes/solution essay? Take a look at this sample prompt and response to find out.
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree/Disagree — We also have a sample question and model response for the common agree/disagree question type!
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantage/Disadvantage Learn how to discuss advantages and disadvantages with a question and sample response for this variation of Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Two-Part Essays — With an example question and an example response, learn how to answer two-part IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.
  • The Discussion IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Type — Learn how to discuss both sides of an issue in IELTS Writing Task 2 with a question and example response.

More Resources for IELTS Writing

Finally, make sure you’re prepared for the official IELTS exam by familiarizing yourself with the IELTS, from task types to the question types you can expect to see on the exam! Once you’ve finished the IELTS General Training Writing practice test PDF with answers, take a look at the following to polish your writing even more.

  • What do you need to know about IELTS Writing? Make sure you have the basics covered with this overview of the IELTS Writing tasks .
  • Taking the Academic test? Here’s your complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) .
  • No matter which test you’re taking, make sure you’re prepared for the second task with the complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 2 !
  • What types of questions can you expect to see on IELTS Writing Task 2? Find out with our guide to Task 2 question types !
  • Looking to practice with Academic Task 1? Here are sample Academic Task 1 prompts you can use for this!
  • Taking the General Training test instead? Enjoy Task 1 tips for writing a great letter !

Magoosh’s IELTS Essay Scoring Service

Last but not least, you may want to consider getting your essays scored by Magoosh IELTS instructors. Subscription prices and plans can be found at this page for Magoosh IELTS Essay grading .

Rachel Kapelke-Dale

Rachel is a Magoosh Content Creator. She writes and updates content on our High School and GRE Blogs to ensure students are equipped with the best information during their test prep journey. As a test-prep instructor for more than five years in there different countries, Rachel has helped students around the world prepare for various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, and she is one of the authors of our Magoosh ACT Prep Book . Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brown University, an MA in Cinematography from the Université de Paris VII, and a Ph.D. in Film Studies from University College London. For over a decade, Rachel has honed her craft as a fiction and memoir writer and public speaker. Her novel, THE BALLERINAS , is forthcoming in December 2021 from St. Martin’s Press , while her memoir, GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND , co-written with Jessica Pan, was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House. Her work has appeared in over a dozen online and print publications, including Vanity Fair Hollywood. When she isn’t strategically stringing words together at Magoosh, you can find Rachel riding horses or with her nose in a book. Join her on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook !

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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.

In order to prepare well for writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for common topics and then practise applying them to the tasks given (to the essay questions). Also see model essays and tips  for writing task 2.

Below you will find:

  • Essay Questions By Topic
  • Essay Questions by Essay Type

Please also note that my new Grammar E-book is now available in my store along with my Ideas for Essay Topics E-book and Advanced Writing Lessons. To visit store, click here: Liz’s Store

1) Common IELTS Essay Questions

IELTS practice essay questions divided by topic. These topics have been reported by IELTS students in their tests. Essay questions have been recreated as accurately as possible.

  • Art   (5 essay questions)
  • Business & Money   (17 essay questions)
  • Communication & Personality   (20 essay questions)
  • Crime & Punishment   (12 essay questions)
  • Education   (17 essay questions)
  • Environment   (12 essay questions)
  • Family & Children   (8 essay questions)
  • Food & Diet (13 essay questions)
  • Government (6 essay questions)
  • Health   (9 essay questions)
  • Housing, Buildings & Urban Planning (8 essay questions)
  • Language (6 essay questions)
  • Leisure (1 essay question)
  • Media & Advertising   (12 essay questions)
  • Reading  (5 essay questions)
  • Society   (10 essay questions)
  • Space Exploration (3 questions)
  • Sport & Exercise   (6 essay questions)
  • Technology  (6 essay questions)
  • Tourism and Travel   (11 essay questions)
  • Transport  (7 essay questions)
  • Work (17 essay questions)

2) IELTS Essay Questions by Essay Type 

There are 5 main types of essay questions in IELTS writing task 2 (opinion essays, discussion essay, advantage/disadvantage essays, solution essay and direct question essays). Click on the links below to see some sample essay questions for each type.

  • Opinion Essay Questions
  • Discussion Essay Questions
  • Solution Essay Questions
  • Direct Questions Essay Titles 
  • Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions

3) Recent Essay Topics

You can also track recent essay topics on this page: IELTS ESSAY TOPICS 2024

Note: you must also prepare all other topics on the page above because questions are recycled each year.

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IELTS Exam Preparation: Free IELTS Tips, 2024

Ielts sample letters (ielts writing task 1).

The purpose of this section is to help you with the Writing Task 1 of the IELTS General test. In Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Depending on the task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:

- engage in personal correspondence - elicit and provide general factual information - express needs, wants, likes and dislikes - express opinions (views, complaints etc.)

Exam Preparation

Ielts preparation, ielts sample charts (ielts writing task 1).

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 describe a process.

IELTS Writing Task 2 (IELTS Sample essays)

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words. You will be presented with a topic and will be tested on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions and supporting what you write with reasons, arguments and relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1. Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS examiners, who all hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

writing essays for ielts general

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

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. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn. 

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

writing essays for ielts general

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree) 

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure 

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1 

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion 

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson . 

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

writing essays for ielts general

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer 

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our  advantage and disadvantage lesson . 

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)  

writing essays for ielts general

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question 

Technology is 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.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. This has allowed learners to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

While the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our  discussion essay lesson . 

Problem and Solution Questions

writing essays for ielts general

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our  problem and solution lesson . 

Two-Part Questions

writing essays for ielts general

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures? 

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

writing essays for ielts general

Next Steps 

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

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IELTS General Training Writing

Prepare for General Training Writing test with our official support tools. 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. You might be asked to write a letter to suggest how to improve facilities at a library. Examiners will look at your ability to provide general and factual information in relation to the task, express needs, wants, likes and dislikes, as well as opinions, views and complaints.

Writing Task 2 is a little different. You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You will be assessed on whether you can provide general factual information, outline a problem, present a solution, justify an opinion or evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.

Learn from our IELTS Expert, Don whether you can write your answers in an IELTS test entirely in capital letters.

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Featured news and articles.

IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2 - how to organise your response

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good conclusion

IELTS Writing Task 1: How to write a job application letter

Vocabulary to help prepare for common IELTS topics

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to understand IELTS question prompts

IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

IELTS Writing Task 2: Why can't I get a band 8

IELTS Writing Task 2: 7 steps towards a band 7

Reach a band 5 and higher in IELTS General Training Writing

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IELTS General Writing Test

Find all the basic information you need to know about the IELTS General Writing test in one place.

Here's what I cover on this page:


1) Why choose General Training?

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.

2) Important facts

– 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.

3) Test format

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:

  • Letter of Complaint
  • Letter of Explanation
  • Letters of Application & Resignation
  • Letters to Make an Arrangement
  • An Invitation

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:


4) Skills assessed

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:

  • Elicit and provide general factual information
  • Express needs, wants, likes and dislikes
  • Express opinions (e.g. views, complaints)

Task 2  – Your essay will be assessed in relation to one or more of the following:


5) Sample questions & answers

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 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 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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IELTS General Writing Task 2: Essay Sample Answers

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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

writing essays for ielts general

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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IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples

Ruben Smith

Updated On Feb 09, 2024

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IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples

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. 

Semi-Formal Letter Sample:

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.

Sample Answer:

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:

  • Started with a semi-formal opening salutation (Dear Mr. Johny)
  • The content of the letter is divided into 3 to 4 paragraphs, with the proper structure.
  • The purpose of the letter is addressed at the beginning of the letter.
  • Elaborated on the issue and provided a solution to the problem. 
  • The letter is closed with the right  salutation (Yours truly)
  • Taken care of word limit (169 words)

Formal Letter Sample:

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. 

  • Started with a formal opening salutation (Dear Sir/Ma’am)
  • The content of the letter is divided into 3 to 4 paragraphs, with proper structure.
  • The letter is closed with the right salutation (Yours sincerely)
  • Taken care of word limit (196 words)

Informal Letter Sample:

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.

Sample answer:

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

  • Started with an informal opening salutation (Dear Payal)
  • Elaborated on the issue and provided a solution to the issue. 
  • The letter is closed with the right salutation (Warm Regards)
  • Taken care of word limit (207 words)

IELTS General Writing task 1 tips to improve your letter writing skills

  • Take 20 minutes to complete the letter-writing task. Spend 2-3 minutes preparing the format and content of the letter.
  • Leave 2-3 minutes, in the end, to double-check the letter for spelling and grammar errors. 
  • Try to only spend 20 minutes on the IELTS Writing task, as Writing task 2 consists of more weightage, and you need to write at least 250 words.
  • In Writing task 1, you must write at least 150 words but aim to write 160 to 180 words.
  • It is not necessary to have an address on the letter. 
  • Pay careful attention to who you’re writing to and the nature of your relationship with them. This will determine the writing tone and style.
  • It is critically important to organise your letter around the three points mentioned in the question. If you fail to include any of the three points, your band score will be affected. 
  • Always take care of the opening and closing salutations. 

Also check : 

  • Semi-Formal

Practice IELTS General Writing Task 1

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Band 9 IELTS Vocabulary for Academic Writing Task 1 + PDF

Ruben Smith

Ruben Smith

Ruben is a specialist and enthusiast in Linguistics. He speaks French, Spanish and German apart from English. He is a pronunciation expert and has even co-authored some books on the same. In the course of his research, he found the English language gap in non-native speakers. That’s when he decided to train students in English. He joined IELTSMaterial a few years ago and has written over 100+ articles. His articles are written in simple language but with strong attention to detail. His ideas are original and easy to understand. He has also researched on many tips that could help students score a band 9 with ease. These tips can be found across the website.

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Free IELTS Writing Sample (IELTS General)

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
  • tell him/her your other news

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

Do you Need More Than a Free IELTS Writing Sample?

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.

On top of the valuable knowledge you’ll gain from our online classes, an expert tutor will work with you to develop a method that works for  you , and our writing assessments will provide you with valuable feedback about how to boost your score!

Here’s one of our free writing videos from our E2 IELTS  YouTube Channel :

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IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples

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. 

View other samples:

  • Band 8 Samples
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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 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!

Task Response: 8

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!"

Coherence & Cohesion: 8

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.

Lexical Resource: 8

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...".

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 8

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...".

Topic: Professionals Working Abroad (Band 8)

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.

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Latest IELTS test in India – July 2024 (General Training)

  • Recent IELTS exams
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Latest IELTS General Training India Latest Questions July 2024

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 essays for ielts general

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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  • IELTS test in India – April 2024 (General Training) Our generous subscriber SB has taken IELTS in India very...
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2024 IELTS Preparation Guide

Genevieve Carlton Ph.D.

Published: Jul 17, 2024, 11:18am

2024 IELTS Preparation Guide

Key Takeaways

  • IELTS is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests.
  • Universities and immigration agencies use IELTS to make decisions about applicants’ college admissions and visas.
  • Mastering IELTS requires strong listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.

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.

What Is IELTS?

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:

  • Computer-based testing : Visit an approved IELTS test center to take the exam on a computer
  • Paper-based testing : Complete the test by hand at an IELTS test center
  • Online testing : Test-takers can complete only the academic version of the exam at home

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.

Who Needs To Take IELTS?

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 Test Sections

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.

How Is IELTS Scored?

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.

IELTS Preparation Tips

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.

Study the Test Format

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.

Create a Study Schedule

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.

Take Practice Tests

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.

Avoid Memorization

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.

IELTS Online Resources

Test-takers can use many online resources to prepare for IELTS test day, including free resources offered through IELTS itself.

Official Practice Materials

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.

IELTS by IDP App

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.

IELTS Intelligence

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About IELTS Preparation

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.

Is IELTS difficult?

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.

How many days are enough to prepare for IELTS?

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.

How do I get an 8 in IELTS speaking?

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.

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Take IELTS in the UK: Easy Booking, Multiple Test Locations

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.

Available tests

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.

Choose the test that is right for you

There are different types of IELTS tests you can take, depending on what you want to do. 

  • Take the IELTS Academic test if you want to study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, or if you want to work in a professional organisation in an English-speaking country.
  • 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). Both the  IELTS for UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Academic or General Training and the IELTS Life Skills test are approved for applications for UK Visa and Immigration (UK visa renewal, British Citizenship, Settlement and Leave to Remain).

Before booking your test, make sure to check with the organisations you are applying to, or the government website .

What you need to book a test

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. 

IELTS test date confirmation

You will receive emails confirming:

  • the start time of your test and the venue address.
  • confirmation for the Speaking Test date.
  • Access to a wealth of materials that cover all aspects of the IELTS test with  IELTS Ready Premium .
  • your IELTS Reference Number to access the Test Taker Portal .

Download and read our  Information for Candidates  (PDF 4MB), which contains important information about the exam format, the question types and the test result.

Contact details 

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.

  • IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (SELT)
  • IELTS Life Skills (SELT)

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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

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