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

Duration: 60 minutes.
Number of Tasks: 2 tasks.
Task 1: Write a letter based on a given situation (formal, semi-formal, or informal).
Task 2: Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

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:

Formal: Addressing someone you do not know, such as an employer or official.
Semi-formal: Addressing someone you know but in a professional context.
Informal: Writing to a friend or someone familiar.

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:

Opinion Essays: Express your viewpoint on a given topic.
Discussion Essays: Discuss both sides of an argument before giving your opinion.
Problem-Solution Essays: Identify a problem and propose solutions.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essays: Explain both the benefits and drawbacks of a particular issue.

Scoring

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

Task Achievement: How well you address the task requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion: The logical flow and organization of your writing.
Lexical Resource: The variety and accuracy of your vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The complexity and correctness of your grammar.

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.