IELTS General Training Writing

You take Writing either by typing on a computer (IELTS on Computer) or by hand with Writing on Paper, where Listening and Reading are on computer and only Writing is handwritten. Writing on Paper is offered in selected countries for Academic and General Training, but not for IELTS for UKVI. The tasks, timing and marking are the same in both. Your Test Report Form does not show which mode you used.

For complaints, job applications, requests to organisations and letters to officials you do not know by name.

For people you know by name but not well: a neighbour, landlord, colleague or teacher.

For friends and relatives: invitations, thanks, advice or news.

Prompt words: "To what extent do you agree or disagree?", "Do you agree?"

1. Introduction: paraphrase the statement and give your position clearly.
2. Body 1: your main reason, explained and supported with an example.
3. Body 2: a second reason, or a partial agreement if your view is balanced.
4. Conclusion: restate your position in fresh words. Add no new ideas.

Keep the same position from the introduction to the conclusion. A view that changes halfway loses marks under Task Response.

Prompt words: "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

1. Introduction: present the two views and say which one you lean towards.
2. Body 1: the first view, with reasons and an example.
3. Body 2: the second view, with reasons and an example.
4. Conclusion: your own opinion, stated directly.

If the question asks for your opinion and you do not give one, the task is only partly answered.

Prompt words: "What are the advantages and disadvantages?" or "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"

1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic. If asked whether one side outweighs the other, answer here.
2. Body 1: two main advantages, each explained.
3. Body 2: two main disadvantages, each explained.
4. Conclusion: summarise. For an "outweigh" question, repeat which side is stronger and why.

Prompt words: "What problems does this cause? What can be done?", "Why is this happening? How can it be solved?"

1. Introduction: paraphrase the issue and say you will cover problems (or causes) and solutions.
2. Body 1: two problems or causes, each explained with a consequence.
3. Body 2: a practical solution for each problem, saying who should act and how.
4. Conclusion: summarise the main problem and the most useful solution.

Link each solution to a problem you named. Solutions that answer nothing in Body 1 weaken coherence.

The prompt asks two separate questions, for example "Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?"

1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic and give a short answer to both questions.
2. Body 1: answer the first question fully.
3. Body 2: answer the second question fully.
4. Conclusion: restate both answers briefly.

Give both questions roughly equal space. Answering one well and the other in a line is a common reason for band 5 or 6.

• Ideas: at 6 the main points are relevant but some stay general or undeveloped. At 7 every main point is explained and supported.
• Organisation: at 6 the order is clear but the linking can be mechanical or repetitive. At 7 the progression is clear throughout and linking is flexible.
• Vocabulary: at 6 the range is adequate, with some errors. At 7 you use less common words with some awareness of style and collocation, and errors are occasional.
• Grammar: at 6 complex sentences appear but often contain errors. At 7 there is a variety of complex structures and many sentences are error-free.

Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band. Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and about 40 on Task 2, and never let Task 1 eat into Task 2 time.

Illustrative example: Task 1 at band 6 and Task 2 at band 7 gives (6 + 7 + 7) / 3 = 6.67, which reports as about 6.5 for Writing. IELTS does not publish the exact calculation, so treat this as a guide only.