IELTS Writing Task 1 diagram showing the changes that occurred around a school between 1990 and 2010

The diagram below shows the processes involved in the water cycle.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.

Diagram showing the processes involved in the water cycle

The pie charts below shows the number of people employed in several job types in the United Kingdom in 1991 and 2001.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.

Pie charts showing show the number of people employed in several job types in the United Kingdom in 1991 and 2001

The graph below shows the average number of tickets sold in a theme park from Monday to Sunday during three periods of the day.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.

Bar chart showing the average number of tickets sold in a theme park from Monday to Sunday during three periods of the day

The graph below shows the consumption of orange juice and some other types of juice in a European country between 1990 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and making comparisons where relevant.

Graph showing the consumption of orange juice and some other types of juice in a European country between 1990 and 20

IELTS Writing Test: Everything you need to know

General Information:

The IELTS Writing test is divided into 2 parts, Writing Task 1 and Task 2. You have 1 hour for the writing test. Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1, so you should spend about 20 minutes on task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2.

The Writing Task 1 task type for the academic test is very different from the general test. In the academic test you must describe the main features of a map, diagram or chart, while in the general training test, you must write an informal, semi-formal, or formal letter. In both cases you must write a minimum of 150 words.

Writing Task 2 has the same structure for both the academic and general training test. You need to write an essay in response to a question. You're given the question and need to answer with a minimum of 250 words.

Usually the questions ask you to discuss a topic and give your opinion on it.

There are several types of writing task 2 questions:

Opinion Questions
Discuss both sides (and give your opinion) Questions
Advantages & Disadvantages Questions
Two-part Questions
Problem & Solutions Questions
Direct Questions

In every case you need to make sure you answer the question directly and support and extend relevant ideas. You should write an introduction, 2 or 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion. You should aim to write 270 - 300 words in 40 minutes

IELTS Writing Task 1

Jump to IELTS Academic Test information
Jump to IELTS Writing Task 2 Information

Writing Task 1 (General Training)

The IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 tests if you can write letters in different situations. The letter may be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the situation described in the question. You should try to write a natural sounding letter using the correct register - formal, semi-formal or informal.

You should spend approximately 20 minutes on completing task 1 as it is worth one third of the marks of task 2 (you have 1 hour total for the writing test).

You should spend at least 3 or 4 minutes planning your response before you begin writing. During this time, you should read the instructions carefully, analyse the letter situation, and decide on the structure and content of your letter. Planning your letter will help you to organise your ideas, avoid repetition, and ensure that you include all of the key points in your letter.

After you have planned your letter, you should spend the remaining time writing it. You must write at least 150 words for Task 1. Ideally aim for 170 words. You should present your ideas logically and coherently. It is also important to use appropriate vocabulary and grammar depending on the context (formal, semi-formal or informal), and to check for spelling and punctuation errors.

General Test Writing Task 1 questions

General Test Writing Task 1 model answers

Informal letters:

Informal letters are generally written to friends or family members. They are less structured and formal than formal letters and may include personal stories or informal language. Some examples of situations that may require an informal letter include:

Inviting a friend to your birthday party
Thanking a family member for a gift
Apologising to a friend for missing an event
Congratulating a friend on a new job
Recommending a restaurant to a friend who is visiting your town

In an informal letter, the tone is more personal. The writer may use contractions and colloquial expressions, as long as they are appropriate for the context and the relationship between the writer and the recipient.

It is important to note that even in informal letters, the writer should still follow basic letter writing conventions, such as addressing the recipient appropriately, using paragraphs to organise ideas, and signing off with an appropriate closing.

Academic Task 1 Questions & Model Answers
General Training 1 Questions
General Training 1 Model Answers
Writing Task 2 Exercises
Writing Task 2 Questions
Writing Task 2 Model Answers
Writing Task 1: Useful Language for Recommendation Letters
Writing Task 2: How To Write The Introduction Paragraph
Writing Task 2: Topic Sentences Can Help You Reach Band 7+
Writing Task 2: How to Write Effective Body Paragraphs in an IELTS Essay
Writing Task 2: Mastering Opinion Essays - An Advanced Guide To IELTS Writing
Writing Task 2: How To Answer Problem/ Cause & Solution Questions To Reach Band 9
Writing Task 2: Linking Phrases To Improve Your Essays
Writing Task 2: 7 Ways To Improve Grammatical Range To Score Band 7+

Informal Letter Writing Task:

A foreign friend is going to visit your country on holiday. She has asked you to recommend a beautiful place to visit.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

say where she should visit
describe how she can get there
say what she can do while she is there
and say why she will enjoy it

Semi-formal Letters:

Semi-formal letters are often written to someone that the writer knows, but does not have a close personal relationship with, such as a work colleague. These letters are more formal than informal letters, but less formal than formal letters. Some examples of situations that may require a semi-formal letter include:

Complaining to a neighbour, landlord or acquaintance about a problem
Requesting information from a teacher, colleague or business partner
Inviting a business partner or colleague to a meeting
Writing a letter to a colleague or manager

In a semi-formal letter, the tone is more neutral and professional, and the language is more formal than in an informal letter. The writer should use standard English and avoid slang or colloquial expressions.

In a semi-formal letter, it is important to address the recipient appropriately and use an appropriate greeting and closing. The writer should also use a formal tone, but can use contractions in some cases. It is also important to be polite and courteous, even when making a complaint or requesting information.

If you are not sure how to write in a semi-formal way, use a formal style. Apart from the way you begin the letter (Dear + person's name) and the way you sign off (e.g. Best regards) in semi-formal letters, a formal style in the writing of the body of the letter is very similar.

Semi-formal Letter Writing Task:

You have been living in a rented flat for 3 years. You recently received a letter from your landlord in which he informed you that your rent will increase by 30% next year. You are not happy about this very large increase.

In your letter you should say:

say why you are writing
describe the problem and explain how you feel
propose a solution

Formal Letters:

Formal letters are often written to someone that the writer doesn’t know, in official or professional contexts, such as when communicating with government agencies/ authorities, businesses, academic institutions, or potential employers. Some examples of situations that may require a formal letter include:

Requesting information from a government agency about a particular service or programme
Making a complaint to a government agency or business
Requesting information from a university or academic institution
Resigning from a job
Writing a cover letter for a job application

In a formal letter, the tone is professional and respectful, and the language is formal.

In a formal letter, it is important to address the recipient appropriately and use an appropriate greeting and closing. This could be 'Dear Sir or Madam' to begin, and 'Yours faithfully' to sign off. The writer should avoid using contractions, slang, or colloquial expressions, and use standard English throughout the letter.

A formal letter should convey a professional and respectful tone, and present the writer as a serious person.

Formal Letter Writing Task:

You went for dinner at a local restaurant but the meal was disappointing. You would like to complain to the restaurant manager.

Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:

explain why you decided to eat at the restaurant
describe the problems
say what you would like the manager to do

Writing Task 1 (Academic Test)

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 you need to write a report summarising or describing a chart, diagram or map.

Sometimes more than one type of chart is combined, for example a pie chart and a table. Other times there could be two tables or two other charts.

You need to identify key features and trends, and compare similarities and differences in the data.

The best approach is to give an overview of 1 or 2 main or general points that you can see in the visual (chart, map etc.) in your introduction, and then follow with 2 paragraphs that look at more detailed points and make lots of comparisons. It is usually possible to group the data into two main groups and address each group in a separate paragraph.

You should spend approximately 20 minutes on completing Task 1. Make sure you bring a watch to the test so you can check the time.

You are recommended to spend 3 or 4 minutes planning your response before you begin writing. During this time, you should:

read the instructions carefully
analyse the given chart, graph, table, diagram or map
decide on your overview of the data given - this is a very general comment about the major trend that you can see in the data and will be in your introduction
choose how you will organise your paragraphs - look for a way to group the data or information in a way that fits nicely into 2 body paragraphs

Go to practise IELTS Academic Test Writing Task 1 questions & model answers

Academic Task1

Line Graph Task:

For more mock IELTS line graph tasks go here

Bar Chart Task:

For more mock IELTS bar chart tasks go here

Pie Chart Task:

For more mock IELTS pie chart tasks go here

Diagram Task:

For more mock IELTS diagram tasks go here

Map Task:

For more mock IELTS map tasks go here

IELTS Writing Task 2

Task 2 is an essay writing task. You are given a question which you must answer. There are several variations on the type of question, but in general you are expected to discuss something, and very often, give your opinion. You must write 250 words minimum, but you should aim for 270 - 300 words.

Writing Task 2

An Example of a Writing Task 2:

Some people think that outdoor activities are more beneficial for children’s development than playing computer games.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Often people spend too much time worrying about the different types of question. You really only need to think about three things. Does the question:

a) ask for your opinion?

b) ask you to discuss both sides/ views

c) have two parts?

If the question asks for your opinion, then include it in your introduction and conclusion. If you are asked to discuss both advantages and disadvantages, or both views/ sides, make sure you do. Discuss one side in one paragraph, and the other side in the next paragraph. Likewise, if the question includes two parts, make sure you address both parts in your answer. For more information on this, go here.

For any question that asks for your opinion or view, if you are not asked to talk about both sides or views, you can write the whole essay in support of one point of view. However, advanced answers (bands 8 and 9) usually look at both sides of the argument anyway. When giving your opinion, it's really important to be clear and consistent about it, as giving an inconsistent opinion will lower your IELTS band.

Structuring your answer:

Your answer should have the following structure no matter what type of question you are asked:

Introduction: Start with an introduction that clearly states your position on the topic and provides an overview of the main points you will cover in your essay.
2/ 3 Body Paragraphs: You should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs that each have a main central idea, and which then support and extend this idea. Support your ideas with examples, evidence and explanations.
Conclusion: Finally, conclude your essay by summarising your main points and giving your opinion again (if asked for).

Below you will find links to much more detailed information, as well as exercises and activities on how to structure and write you IELTS Writing Task 2 answer. You will also find blog articles which discuss the best ways to write an effective answer.

The diagrams below show the changes that have occurred around a school between 1990 and 2010.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

For more Writing Task 2 mock questions go here

IELTS Writing Task 2 model answers

Go here for examples of General Training formal letter tasks

Go here for examples of General Training informal letter tasks

The IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to show your ability to organise your thoughts, use appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and develop a coherent and well-supported argument.

There are several ways that the question can be phrased. Below, I will go through the different question types, but essentially, you need to directly answer the question (or questions) and give a clear and consistent opinion.

Question Types

Some people believe that you should judge others on their appearance, while others think that appearance is not important.

What is your opinion?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
To what extent do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

These days, in most countries it is possible to buy products made in other countries.

To what extent do the benefits of this development outweigh the problems?

For this type of question you do not have to discuss both sides of the argument, although advanced answers usually do this anyway. But, you absolutely must present a clear and consistent opinion. Some teachers recommend you support one point of view throughout your essay in order to maintain a clear and consistent opinion. This makes sense if you are a less confident writer because it is easier to present a consistent opinion.

For this type of question you must discuss both advantages and disadvantages. You can discuss both advantages and disadvantages in each body paragraph, or you can put the advantages in one body paragraph and the disadvantages in another (this is how I usually do it to make things clearer). You are not always directly asked to give your opinion, but if you are, make sure it is clear and consistent.

What factors contribute to…..? + How realistic is the expectation of….?
Why do some people.....? Do you think this is a good thing or bad thing?
Why is this? What effects does it have?

Discuss both views.
Discuss both view and give your opinion.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Some people think that newspapers are the best way to learn news. However, others believe that it is better to get the news from other media.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

For this type of question, you must discuss both sides. You are not always asked to give your opinion, but if you are, make sure you give a clear and consistent opinion in your answer.

Success is often measured by wealth and material possessions.

Do you think wealth is the best measure of success?

What makes a successful person?

For this type of question you must answer both questions. The best approach is to answer one question in the first body paragraph and the other question in the second body paragraph.

What are the causes of…? + What solutions are there to…?
What are the reasons for…? + How can this problem be fixed?
Explain why this has happened + Explain how it can be solved.

People are often less polite these days than they were in the past.

What are the reasons for this?

How can this problem be fixed?

As with two part questions, you must answer both questions. The best approach is to discuss the problem/ cause question in the first body paragraph, and the solution in the second body paragraph.

(there are many possible variations)