IELTS Writing practice: questions and model answers
Every page here gives you a real-format question to try first, then a band 9 model answer and notes on why it scores well against the four marking criteria. Write your own answer before you read ours: that is where the improvement comes from.
Start here
How each task is marked and how to plan your 60 minutes.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic: format, structure and tipsHow IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 works: the six question types, a structure that fits all of them, how to write the overview, and a 20-minute plan.
- IELTS Writing Task 2: essay types, structure and a 40-minute planHow IELTS Writing Task 2 works: the five essay types, how to recognise each one, a four-paragraph structure, and a 40-minute plan for a band 7+ essay.
Academic Task 1: charts, tables, processes and maps
A practice question for every visual type, each with a chart, a model report and the language to describe it.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 line graph: question, model answer and structureIELTS Academic Writing Task 1 line graph practice: a real-format question, a band 9 model answer, a 4-paragraph structure and the language for trends.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart: question, model answer and tipsIELTS Task 1 bar chart practice with a real-format question, a band 9 model answer, how to group the bars, and the comparison language examiners reward.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 pie chart: question, model answer and languageIELTS Task 1 pie chart practice: a two-pie question, a band 9 model answer, how to compare shares, and the proportion language that scores well.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 table: question, model answer and how to select dataIELTS Task 1 table practice: a real-format question, a band 9 model answer, and a method for choosing which numbers to report from a crowded table.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagram: question, model answer and sequencingIELTS Task 1 process diagram practice: an 8-stage question, a band 9 model answer, sequencing language and how to use the passive voice accurately.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 map: question, model answer and location languageIELTS Task 1 map practice: a before-and-after village map, a band 9 model answer, and the direction, location and change language that maps require.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 mixed charts: question and model answerIELTS Task 1 practice with two different charts: a line graph and pie chart question, a band 9 model answer, and how to link the charts in one overview.
Task 2: the five essay types
Recognise the question, pick the right structure, and see a full band 9 essay for each type.
- IELTS opinion essay: 'to what extent do you agree or disagree?'IELTS Task 2 opinion essay: how to answer 'to what extent do you agree or disagree', a 4-paragraph plan, a band 9 sample essay and 6 practice questions.
- IELTS discussion essay: 'discuss both views and give your own opinion'IELTS Task 2 'discuss both views and give your opinion': how to structure it, where your opinion goes, a band 9 sample essay and 6 practice questions.
- IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay: structure and band 9 sampleIELTS Task 2 advantages and disadvantages essays, including 'do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?': structure, band 9 sample and practice questions.
- IELTS problem and solution essay: causes, solutions and a band 9 sampleIELTS Task 2 problem and solution essays, including causes and solutions: how to match each solution to a cause, a band 9 sample and practice questions.
- IELTS two-part question essay: how to answer both questionsIELTS Task 2 two-part (direct) questions such as 'Why is this happening? Is it positive?': how to answer both parts, a band 9 sample and practice questions.
Task 2 questions by topic
Ten practice questions per topic with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a model essay.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 education questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 education questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on free university education.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 technology questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 technology questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on online versus face-to-face contact.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 environment questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 environment questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on individual versus government action.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 health questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 health questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on taxing unhealthy food.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 work questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 work and career questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on staying in one job or changing jobs.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 crime questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 crime and punishment questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on longer prison sentences.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 society and family questions: ideas, vocabulary and a model essay10 IELTS Writing Task 2 society and family questions with ideas for both sides, topic vocabulary and a band 9 model essay on care homes for the elderly.
General Training Task 1: letters
Formal, semi-formal and informal letters, with the tone and phrases each one needs.
What the IELTS Writing test looks like
You have 60 minutes for two tasks, and you manage the time yourself. Task 1 asks for at least 150 words and Task 2 for at least 250 words. Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1, so most candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.
- Academic Task 1: summarise a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, process diagram or map, picking out the main features and making comparisons. No opinions.
- General Training Task 1: write a letter for a given situation, in the right tone for the reader.
- Task 2 (both modules): an essay giving and supporting a position on a question.
The four marking criteria
Each task gets a band for four criteria, each worth 25%:
- Task Achievement / Task Response: did you answer every part of the question, with a clear overview (Task 1) or a clear position (Task 2)?
- Coherence and Cohesion: logical paragraphs, one main idea each, and linking that helps rather than decorates.
- Lexical Resource: precise, natural vocabulary used accurately, including less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with most sentences free of errors.
How to use these pages
- Read the question and set a timer: 20 minutes for Task 1 or 40 for Task 2.
- Write your answer by hand or in a plain text editor, without spell-check, as in the exam.
- Compare it with the model answer paragraph by paragraph. Note one thing to change, not ten.
- Rewrite only the weakest paragraph. Then move on to the next question.
When you know your Writing band, put it into the IELTS band score calculator together with your scores from our Reading and Listening tests to see your likely overall band. For the bigger picture, read IELTS Academic requirements, how to prepare for General Training, or compare online IELTS courses and alternatives to coaching centres.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Writing test?
60 minutes for two tasks. Task 1 needs at least 150 words and Task 2 at least 250 words. IELTS suggests about 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2, because Task 2 carries more weight in your Writing band.
Is IELTS Writing the same for Academic and General Training?
Task 2 is the same kind of essay in both modules, though General Training topics tend to be more everyday. Task 1 is different: Academic candidates describe a graph, table, chart, process or map, while General Training candidates write a letter.
How is IELTS Writing marked?
An examiner scores each task on four criteria: Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is worth a quarter of the task score.
What happens if I write fewer than 150 or 250 words?
You lose marks. An answer under the minimum cannot fully complete the task, which lowers your Task Achievement or Task Response score. Writing far more than the minimum does not earn extra marks and leaves less time to check your work.