IELTS WRITING TESTS

LETTERS
1. Write a letter to the principle of your college to inform him that you have
joined an evening course that appears not to match its description in the
college brochure. In your letter, you should include:

Why you have joined the course

How the course is different from the brochure description
What action you expect from the principal

Write at least 150 words.

2. An annual event was recently held in your area. Write a letter to the
organizers congratulating them on a successful production. In your letter,
include:

The details of the event

What you most liked about the evnet
A polite criticism of something you thought could be improved.

Write at least 150 words.

3. Your friend works as a publisher for a food-related magazine. Write a letter to
him/her describing a meal you recently had. Tell your friend:

What dishes were included in the meal

Where you ate the meal
Which dish in particular you liked the most.

Write at least 150 words.

4. You have taken a cruise and have been disappointed with the experience.
Write a letter to the cruise provider and specify:

What went wrong

How did you feel about it
What do you want to be done about it

Write at least 150 words.

5. For the past year you have been member of a local club. Now you want to
discontinue your membership. Write a letter to the club secretary. In your
letter:

State what type of membership you have and how you have paid for this
Give details of how you have benefitted from the club
Explain why you want to leave

Write at least 150 words.

6. Your neighbors have recently written to you to complain about the noise
from your house. Write a letter to your neighbors. In your letter:

Explain the reasons for the noise

Apologise
Describe what action you will take.

Write at least 150 words.

7. You are studying English at a private language school attended by many
international students. You are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend
who has been feeling particularly sad and homesick. Write to another
classmate and invite him/her to the party. In your letter:

Explain the reason for the party

Give the date and time of the party

Write at least 150 words.

8. An English-speaking friend is coming to study in your town next year and has
written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your
letter:

Describe the town

Give information about the weather
Tell him/her where to go and what to do during the weekends

Write at least 150 words.

9. You are looking for a part-time job. Write a letter to an employment agency.
In your letter:

Introduce yourself
Explain what sort of job you would like
Say what experience and skills you have

Write at least 150 words.

10. You have seen an advertisement for part-time work in a hotel for three
months over the summer. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:

Say what experience you have

Ask what the work involves
Enquire about the conditions

Write at least 150 words.

11. You live in a small university town. Last week, you drove to a big city about
two hours away to buy a new laptop at a good price. You worked on the laptop
all week and finished writing a long assignment that is due shortly. However,
this week, the laptop doesnt even switch on. Write to the store. In your letter:

Tell the store what you have bought and when

Explain the problem that has arisen

Ask if you can have a solution to the problem

Write at least 150 words.

12. Write a letter to a friend who is looking for a part-time job. Describe a job
you have found for him/her. In your letter include:

What are the duties of the job?

Why do you think it is a good job for your friend?
What does he/she have to do to get the job?

Write at least 150 words.

13. You are having trouble paying rent for the house where you live. Write a
letter to your landlord:

Explaining your current financial situation

Asking for a house change
Apologizing for the trouble this will cause.

Write at least 150 words.

14. Write a letter to your friend and thank him/her for the advice he/she gave
you in preparation for a press conference you held. In this letter write:

What happened during the conference

How his/her advice helped
What you would like to do as a gesture of thanks.

Write at least 150 words.

15. You have just returned from a working trip overseas. Write your colleagues
a letter thanking them for your experience. Please say:

How do you feel about being home

Thank them for their time
Invite them to come and visit you

Write at least 150 words.

16. Your local newspaper published an advertisement asking people to help
with protecting the environment. Write a letter to offer your help to the project
manager and say:

Why you are interested

What you can help with
When you can start

Write at least 150 words.

17. You live in a high-rise building, which has a communal laundry room. There
are many washers and dryers there, but even more residents. Sometimes
people dont come in time to empty the machines and other residents have to
wait for a washer or dryer. You think the building management should do
something about this situation. Write a letter to the manager and state:

The problem in the laundry room

How this affects the residents of the building
Offer several solutions to this problem

Write at least 150 words.

18. You are going to take a short holiday in Singapore and you want to rent a
holiday apartment while you are there. Write to the tourist information office. In
your letter:

Explain what you need

Say when you plan to be there
Ask for information about prices

Write at least 150 words.

19. Your friend visited your home recently. He/She forgot something. Write a
letter to your friend about this situation. In your letter include:

What your friend forgot

Where the item is now
A proposed arrangement to return the item

Write at least 150 words.

20. Write a letter to your colleges administration department complaining
about the colleges facilities. In your letter include:

What the problem is

How this problem has affected you
What the college should do to fix this problem

Write at least 150 words.

21. An Australian friend is coming to visit you, and it will be his/her birthday
during the visit.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
say how you feel about the visit
suggest what you could do on his/her birthday
try to find out what your friend thinks of your idea
You should write at least 150 words.
22. Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference letter for a
job and explain:

Why you have chosen him/her to write a reference letter

What job you are applying for
Why you think you are suitable for the job
You should write at least 150 words.

23. You have recently moved to a different house.

Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter:
Explain why you have moved
Describe the new house
Invite your friend to come and visit
24. You are going to travel for a week. Write a letter to your neighbour and ask
him to take care of your house when you leave.
In your letter, you should say:
what you are going to do
what you want him/her to do for you
what he/she should do if something happens
25. You are preparing an outdoors event. Write a letter to your friend to ask for
help with the arrangements. In your letter include:
What the event is
Why the event will happen
How your friend can help you
26. Write a letter to your university expressing your interest to study in a
different country. Your letter should include:
Why you want to study in a different country
What type of course you would like to do
Why you should be chosen to study abroad
27. Write a letter to your university expressing your interest to study in a
different country. Your letter should include:
Why you want to study in a different country
What type of course you would like to do
Why you should be chosen to study abroad
28. Write a letter to a friend expressing your interest in looking for work in a
different country. Your letter should include:
Why you want to work abroad
What type of work you want to do
Questions you have about working abroad which your friend may be able
to answer

ESSAYS
1. Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period
of time instead of going directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of both approaches. Give reasons for your answer and
include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You
should write at least 250 words.
2. Some people think children are more successful in foreign language studies
than adults. Discuss. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least
250 words.
3. Some people prefer shopping in shopping centers, while others prefer local
markets. What are the advantages of each? Share your opinion and any
personal experiences in your answer. You should write at least 250 words.
4. Some believe museums should entertain people, while others believe theirs
purpose is to educate. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give
reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
5. The age of Information Technology has taken a lot of people by surprise.
While it has become a way of life for some, others know very little about it and
may be unlikely to learn. Eventually we will have a polarized society and this
will lead to serious social problems. To what extent do you agree with this
statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples
from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
6. In many countries, crime is increasing. What are the main reasons for this?
What can be done to improve the situation? Support your position with relevant
examples and include your own experience. Give reasons for your answer and
include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You
should write at least 250 words.
7. Nowadays, more and more young unmarried adults are choosing to study
and live outside their parents homes. Do you think this trend is positive? Give
reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
8. There are many things that motivate a person to work, but money is the
most compelling. In your opinion, how influential is the power of money? Give
reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
9. To what extent do you think governments should be held responsible when
problems of homelessness and unemployment arise? Give reasons for your
answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience. You should write at least 250 words.

10. Many high school students take part-time jobs. What are the advantages
and disadvantages of this? Give reasons for your answer and include any
relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at
least 250 words.
11. Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the
government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for these
services? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
12. In the recent years, the number of organizations allowing their staff to work
from home at least a few days a week is rising rapidly. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of this development? Give reasons for your
answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience. You should write at least 250 words.
13. Should poor countries continue to receive International Aids? What is your
opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
14. Many old cities around the world are going through a major process of
modernization. What are the advantages and disadvantage of modernization?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
15. These days, many jobs require people to travel and this is disrupting many
families. What effects do travelling parents have on their children? Give
reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
16. Many people choose to work or live abroad because of the higher standards
of living they can find outside their home country. Do you think this brings more
advantages or disadvantages to the people who follow this path? Give reasons
for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
17. Nowadays, pollution and waste levels are increasing rapidly. How does this
affect ordinary people? What steps can be taken to overcome this problem?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
18. Some say that the government should stop supporting the professional
sports activities and the cultural performances, and instead begin supporting
schools to encourage children to take up sports and arts. What is your opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
19. All education, primary, secondary and further education should be free to
all people and paid for by the government. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples
from your own knowledge or experience. Give reasons for your answer and

include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You
should write at least 250 words.
20. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we
really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products
that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Give reasons
for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience. Write at least 250 words.