IELTS General Writing Overview

The IELTS General Writing test assesses your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. The test consists of two writing tasks that measure your ability to write letters, reports, and essays using appropriate language and structure.

Test Format

Task 1: Letter Writing

In Task 1, you will be given a scenario and must write a letter of at least 150 words. The letter may be:

Your letter should clearly state the purpose, provide relevant details, and maintain an appropriate tone and structure.

Task 2: Essay Writing

Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words in response to a given topic. You need to present a well-structured argument with clear reasoning and examples. Common essay types include:

Scoring

The IELTS General Writing test is scored based on four key criteria:

IELTS General Writing Task Features

The IELTS General Writing test focuses on practical communication skills. Task 1 assesses your ability to write letters effectively, while Task 2 evaluates your ability to express opinions and arguments in a structured manner.

Difficulty Progression

Task 1 is generally easier, as it involves writing a structured letter. Task 2 is more challenging, as it requires you to construct a logical and well-supported argument.

How to Prepare for IELTS General Writing

Effective preparation for the IELTS General Writing test includes practicing letter writing and essay structuring. Our IELTS General Writing Preparation service provides exam-style practice and simulation, band score feedback, expert guidance, model answers, and detailed feedback to improve your writing band score.

You can take the full exam or choose to take the Reading, Listening, Writing, or Speaking exam individually.

Use our service, including IELTS writing exam simulation and IELTS band score calculators, to enhance your performance.

Note: Task 2 is worth more points than Task 1, so managing your time effectively is crucial. You should aim to spend around 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.

IELTS Band Score

Logo