WRITING TEST

TIME ALLOWED: 1 hour

The writing test consists of two tasks. You should attempt both tasks.

After completing the two tasks you will send them to your tutor for marking and feedback. Write in a text document and later copy these into an email message addressed to your tutor.

To get a real indication of your writing strengths and weaknesses, and for your own benefit, don't use dictionaries or spellcheckers when you do these tasks. You won't be able to do it in the real IELTS exam!

To get a real indication of your writing strengths and weaknesses, and for your own benefit, don't use dictionaries or spellcheckers when you do these tasks. You won't be able to do it in the real IELTS exam! Once you have completed the two tasks, follow these steps to evaluate and improve your written tasks:

1. Compare your written tasks with these sample answers:
Task 1            Task 2

2. Look for similarities and differences, and note down language that you would like to include in your own written tasks.

3. Rewrite your tasks, incorporating your corrections and extra language from the sample answers.

In the real IELTS writing test you will receive a score between 0 and 9 for this subtest.

Writing Task 1

Dear Mr Young,

I am from Thessaloniki, in Greece, and am a university graduate with a high level of English, as I have studied English since primary school and also have family in Australia and have always communicated with them in English. I have trained as an adventure activities monitor here in Greece. In addition, for the past two years I have worked on summer camps for teenagers, supervising adventure activities and camping excursions. I enjoy this kind of work very much and have found that my training, experience and enthusiasm equip me very well for a job such as this.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you would like more information, or would like to organise a telephone interview. My email address is amisko@mail.gr.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Alexis Misko

(163 words)

Writing Task 2

In my opinion, the use of private cars in large cities around the world is becoming less and less viable and is no longer a sustainable solution to the transport needs of people who live in or near large cities. There is a wealth of evidence showing that our cities are being choked by ever-increasing traffic, affecting our health, mobility and quality of life, not to mention the city buildings and the environment.

On one hand, it is argued that the use of private cars is a question of choice and that there is a lack of alternatives, such as efficient public transport that can cater for individual needs. However, on the other hand, this option is not viable in the long term, and governments must now take steps to reduce the use of cars in our cities. This has already happened to a certain extent in London and Paris, where the use of private cars is restricted in the inner city.

So, how can this change be brought about? Well, I believe that it must happen on multiple levels. First of all, investment should be made in public transport options, making them more viable and attractive to city residents. Then, the use of private cars should be discouraged by using restrictions and taxes and introducing incentives to use public transport. Finally, ongoing development of alternative transport models should be encouraged, such as car-sharing, improved taxi services and environmentally friendly transport options. Ideally these changes would be effected at a local level, but each country also has a responsibility to reduce CO2 emission levels and pollution in general, so effective international legislation is also needed. 

 

1. Write.

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You have decided to apply for a job as a monitor at Nature World Adventure Park that was advertised online on the website Jobs Abroad. The advertisement was posted by Mr James Young, Activities Manager at Nature World Adventure Park, in Queensland, Australia. In your letter to Mr Young:

explain why you are writing
describe your qualifications and experience
and explain how they can contact you.

You DO NOT need to write any addresses.

Write at least 150 words.

 

Send to your tutor

Type your answer here. You can see your word count under the text window.

When you have completed your task, copy it into an email and send this completed task to your tutor. Your text will not be saved once you leave this page.

 

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The use of private cars dominates most large cities in the world, causing a negative effect on the quality of life for the majority of the people who live in these cities.

Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership and use.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

Send to your tutor

Type your answer here. You can see your word count under the text window.

When you have completed your task, copy it into an email and send this completed task to your tutor. Your text will not be saved once you leave this page.


Contact your tutor
Once you have completed the two tasks and sent them to your tutor as part of an email message, your tutor will send back your mark and useful feedback on your writing.