WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below shows the number of men and women in further education in
Britain in three periods and whether they were studying full-time or part-time.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

You should write at least 150 words.

24 | IELTS Specimen Materials

 WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout the day in 1992.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

You should write at least 150 words.

28 | IELTS Specimen Materials

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the
following topic.

The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as
many as 29 million vehicles on British roads.

Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws

introduced to control car ownership and use.

What are your views?

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with
examples and relevant evidence.

You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Specimen Materials | 25

Sample Candidate Writing Scripts and Examiner Comments
Both the Academic and General Training Writing Modules Lexical Resource
consist of two tasks, Task 1 and Task 2. Each task is assessed This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the candidate has
independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight used and the accuracy and appropriacy of that use in terms of
in marking than Task 1. the specific task.

Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which Grammatical Range and Accuracy
describe written performance at the 9 IELTS bands. These This criterion refers to the range and accurate use of the
descriptors are confidential and apply to both the Academic and candidate’s grammatical resource as manifested in the
General Training Modules. candidate’s writing at sentence level.

Task 1 scripts are assessed on the following criteria: Task 2

Task Response
• Task Achievement In both Academic and General Training Modules Task 2 requires
• Coherence and Cohesion the candidates to formulate and develop a position in relation to a
• Lexical Resource given prompt in the form of a question or statement. Ideas
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn
Task 2 scripts are assessed on the following criteria: from the candidates’ own experience. Responses must be at
least 250 words in length.
• Task Response
• Coherence and Cohesion Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS
• Lexical Resource examiners. Scores are reported as whole bands only.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
On the next 12 pages you will find candidates’ answers to
Candidates should note that scripts will be penalised if they are two sample Writing tests. There are two answers for each Writing task.
a) under the minimum word length, b) partly or wholly Each answer has been awarded a band score and is accompanied by
plagiarised, c) not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet an examiner comment on the candidate’s performance for that
points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). task.

Task 1 The examiners’ guidelines for marking the Writing scripts are
Task Achievement very detailed. There are many different ways a candidate may
This criterion assesses how appropriately, accurately and achieve a particular band score. The candidates’ answers that
relevantly the response fulfils the requirements set out in the follow should not be regarded as definitive examples of any
task, using the minimum of 150 words. particular band score.

Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined

input and a largely predictable output. It is basically an
information-transfer task which relates narrowly to the factual
content of an input diagram and not to speculated explanations
that lie outside the given data.

General Training Writing Task 1 is also a writing task with a largely

predictable output in that each task sets out the context and
purpose of the letter and the functions the candidate should
cover in order to achieve this purpose.

Coherence and Cohesion

This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of
the message: how the response organises and links information,
ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas
through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and
appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical
connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the
conceptual and referential relationships between and within
sentences clear.
Academic Writing Sample Task 1A
Sample Script A

Examiner comment
Band 5
The length of the answer is just acceptable. There is a good attempt to describe the overall trends but the content would
have been greatly improved if the candidate had included some reference to the figures given on the graph. Without
these, the reader is lacking some important information. The answer is quite difficult to follow and there are some
punctuation errors that cause confusion. The structures are fairly simple and efforts to produce more complex sentences
are not successful.
Academic Writing Sample Task 1A
Sample Script B

Examiner comment
Band 6
The candidate has made a good attempt to describe the graphs looking at global trends and more detailed figures. There
is, however, some information missing and the information is inaccurate in minor areas. The answer flows quite smoothly
although connectives are overused or inappropriate, and some of the points do not link up well. The grammatical accuracy
is quite good and the language used to describe the trends is well-handled. However, there are problems with expression
and the appropriate choice of words and whilst there is good structural control, the complexity and variation in the
sentences are limited.
Academic Writing Sample Task 1B
Sample Script A

Examiner comment
Band 6
The answer has a good introduction in which the candidate has attempted to incorporate his/her own words. There is
good coverage of the data and a brief reference to contrasting trends. The answer can be followed although it is rather
repetitive and cohesive devices are overused. In order to gain a higher mark for content, the candidate would be expected
to select the salient features of the graph and comment primarily on these. Sentences are long but lack complexity. There
are some errors in tense, verb form and spelling which interfere slightly with the flow of the answer.
Academic Writing Sample Task 1B
Sample Script B

Examiner comment
Band 7
The answer deals well with both the individual media trends and the overall comparison of these trends. The opening
could be more fully developed with the inclusion of information relating to the groups studied and the period of time during
which the study took place. There is a good variety of cohesive devices and the message can be followed quite easily
although the expression is sometimes a little clumsy. Structures are complex and vocabulary is varied but there are errors
in word forms, tense and voice and occasionally the text becomes incoherent.
Academic Writing Sample Task 2A
Sample Script A
Examiner comment
Band 5
The answer is short at just over 200 words and thus loses marks for content. There are some relevant arguments but
these are not very well developed and become unclear in places. The organisation of the answer is evident through the
use of fairly simple connectives but there are problems for the reader in that there are many missing words and word
order is often incorrect. The structures are quite ambitious but often faulty and vocabulary is kept quite simple.
Academic Writing Sample Task 2A
Sample Script B
Examiner comment
Band 6
There are quite a lot of ideas and while some of these are supported better than others, there is an overall coherence to
the answer. The introduction is perhaps slightly long and more time could have been devoted to answering the question.
The answer is fairly easy to follow and there is good punctuation. Organisational devices are evident although some areas
of the answer become unclear and would benefit from more accurate use of connectives. There are some errors in the
structures but there is also evidence of the production of complex sentence forms. Grammatical errors interfere slightly
with comprehension.
Academic Writing Sample Task 2B
Sample Script A
Examiner comment
Band 5
Although the script contains some good arguments, these are presented using poor structures and the answer is not very
coherent. The candidate has a clear point of view but not all the supporting arguments are linked together well and
sometimes ideas are left unfinished. There is quite a lot of relevant vocabulary but this is not used skilfully and sentences
often have words missing or lapse into different styles. The answer is spoilt by grammatical errors and poor expression.
Academic Writing Sample Task 2B
Sample Script B
Examiner comment
Band 7
The answer is well-written and contains some good arguments. It does tend to repeat these arguments but the writer’s
point of view remains clear throughout. The message is easy to follow and ideas are arranged well with good use of
cohesive devices. There are minor problems with coherence and at times the expression is clumsy and imprecise. There
is a wide range of structures that are well handled with only small problems, mainly in the areas of spelling and word
choice.
 WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However,
there are many problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to
work.

Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In the letter

N describe the situation

N explain your problems and why it is difficult to work
N say what kind of accommodation you would prefer

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write your own address.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

44 | IELTS Specimen Materials

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In Britain, when someone gets old they often go to live in a home with
other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes
the government has to pay for this care.

Who do you think should pay for this care, the government or the family?

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

You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Specimen Materials | 45

Sample Candidate Writing Scripts and Examiner Comments
Both the Academic and General Training Writing Modules Lexical Resource
consist of two tasks, Task 1 and Task 2. Each task is assessed This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary the candidate has
independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight used and the accuracy and appropriacy of that use in terms of
in marking than Task 1. the specific task.

Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which Grammatical Range and Accuracy
describe written performance at the 9 IELTS bands. These This criterion refers to the range and accurate use of the
descriptors are confidential and apply to both the Academic and candidate’s grammatical resource as manifested in the
General Training Modules. candidate’s writing at sentence level.

Task 1 scripts are assessed on the following criteria: Task 2

Task Response
• Task Achievement In both Academic and General Training Modules Task 2 requires
• Coherence and Cohesion the candidates to formulate and develop a position in relation to a
• Lexical Resource given prompt in the form of a question or statement. Ideas
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn
Task 2 scripts are assessed on the following criteria: from the candidates’ own experience. Responses must be at
least 250 words in length.
• Task Response
• Coherence and Cohesion Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS
• Lexical Resource examiners. Scores are reported as whole bands only.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
On the next 6 pages you will find candidates’ answers to one
Candidates should note that scripts will be penalised if they are sample Writing test. There are two answers for this Writing task.
a) under the minimum word length, b) partly or wholly Each answer has been awarded a band score and is accompanied by
plagiarised, c) not written as full, connected text (e.g. using bullet an examiner comment on the candidate’s performance for that
points in any part of the response, or note form, etc.). task.

Task 1 The examiners’ guidelines for marking the Writing scripts are
Task Achievement very detailed. There are many different ways a candidate may
This criterion assesses how appropriately, accurately and achieve a particular band score. The candidates’ answers that
relevantly the response fulfils the requirements set out in the follow should not be regarded as definitive examples of any
task, using the minimum of 150 words. particular band score.

Academic Writing Task 1 is a writing task which has a defined

input and a largely predictable output. It is basically an
information-transfer task which relates narrowly to the factual
content of an input diagram and not to speculated explanations
that lie outside the given data.

General Training Writing Task 1 is also a writing task with a largely

predictable output in that each task sets out the context and
purpose of the letter and the functions the candidate should
cover in order to achieve this purpose.

Coherence and Cohesion

This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of
the message: how the response organises and links information,
ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas
through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and
appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical
connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the
conceptual and referential relationships between and within
sentences clear.
General Training Writing Sample Task 1
Sample Script A

Examiner comment
Band 5
The answer is below the word limit and there is some repetition of the task rubric. (Length is a common problem in
General Training scripts.) Answers that are short lose marks because of inadequate content and may also lose marks
because there is insufficient material in the answer for the examiner to give credit for accuracy and coherence. Despite
these problems, the introduction to the letter is appropriate and the purpose of the writer is clear. The points are not
always linked together well and punctuation is sometimes faulty. The sentences are kept quite simple and mistakes occur
as soon as more complex structures are attempted.
General Training Writing Sample Task 1
Sample Script B

Examiner comment
Band 7
This answer is also short. Although ideas are often provided in the task rubric, candidates are at liberty to include some of
their own ideas in their answers. In this case, the candidate has attempted to incorporate some original material. The
answer reads quite fluently, is well organised and there is good use of conjunctions to link points. There are some
grammatical errors but these do not affect the reader greatly and there is evidence of some more complex sentence
structures.
General Training Writing Sample Task 2
Sample Script A
Examiner comment
Band 5
There are quite a lot of relevant ideas in the answer but they are not always well supported and sometimes they are
unclear. There are some areas in the answer where the organisation becomes weak and the reader finds the message
difficult to follow. Nevertheless, the writer’s view is apparent and there is a logical flow to the points given. There are a lot
of mistakes in the answer and some parts, such as the conclusion, are very hard to follow because of these errors.
Although there is some appropriate vocabulary, sentence control is very weak. These problems are made worse by the
poor correcting which sometimes makes words unreadable.
General Training Writing Sample Task 2
Sample Script B
Examiner comment
Band 8
This is a very well-organised script which contains a lot of well-supported arguments and analyses the topic from different
angles. The ideas follow each other well and there is a very honest conclusion. The answer is easy to read. There are
some areas where the expression is clumsy but this makes little difference to the overall flow of the answer. There are
minor errors in spelling and structure.