IELTS Writing: Syllabus, Question Types and Samples for IELTS Exam Writing Task 1 and IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing is considered to be the most challenging among the four modules of the IELTS Exam. However, there is nothing to worry about since, with the right preparation, you can ace the IELTS task one writing and IELTS writing task two. The IELTS Writing test evaluates your ability to produce written responses in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style.

IELTS task one writing is different for the general training and academic section. Writing task 2 is the same for both academic and general tests. You will be asked to describe a diagram, chart, and graph on academic IELTS writing task 1. Writing a letter in response to a given situation is contained in IELTS writing task two.

Each task in IELTS Writing is scored separately on a scale of 0 to 9. The scores for both tasks are then averaged to determine your overall Writing band score. You must note that IELTS Writing Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as IELTS Writing Task 1. You will be assessed on your ability to present and describe visual information logically and coherently (Academic version) or to convey information in a clear and appropriate tone (General Training version). IELTS Writing Task 2 assesses your ability to provide well-structured arguments, opinions, and ideas in written form.

IELTS Writing Question Types

IELTS Writing Task 2 is similar for both IELTS Academic and General Training, the task and the question types vary for these two types of IELTS exam. While the IELTS writing topics for Task 1 assess the ability to present information in a clear, coherent, and organized manner, the Task 2 questions evaluate the ability to formulate and develop ideas coherently and appropriately.

IELTS Exam Writing Task 1 Academic

If you want to be admitted to abroad colleges or universities, IELTS Academic Writing task 1 is the test for you. IELTS task one writing involves images that you need to understand and explain in a short essay. The question in IELTS academic writing task 1 is based on infographics. The word limit of a short essay is 150 words. IELTS writing examples are provided below

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question Type	IELTS Writing Task 1 Examples
IELTS table chart
IELTS bar chart
IELTS Writing Task 1 - Line graph
IELTS pie charts
IELTS Map Diagram
IELTS Process Diagram

IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic Samples

• Consequences of Deforestation IELTS Writing Task 1
• Southland’s Main Exports in 2000 and Future Projections For 2025 IELTS Writing Task 1
• Different Sources of Air Pollutants IELTS Writing Task 1
• Different Types of Crime in England and Wales From 1970 to 2005 IELTS Writing Task 1
• The Graph below shows the Total Births and The Total Deaths in a European Country from 1950 to 2050 IELTS Writing Task 1
• Line Graph Showing Percentage of Car Ownership in Great Britain IELTS Writing Task 1
• Journeys made by Different Forms of Transport in Four Countries IELTS Writing Task 1
• Population Aged 65 and Over of Three Countries IELTS Writing Task 1
• Plan A & B shows a Health Centre in 2005 and in Present Day IELTS Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 1 Automatic Photo Booth
• Life Cycle of the Salmon IELTS Writing Task 1
• Noise Pollution IELTS Writing Task 1
• Pie Charts giving Information about the Household Expenditure of an Average US Family IELTS Writing task 1
• Results Of Surveys In 2000, 2005 And 2010 About One University IELTS Writing Task 1
• Graphs Show Numbers Of Male And Female Workers In 1975 And 1995 In Several Employment Sectors IELTS General Writing Task 1

IELTS General Writing Task 1

For the IELTS General Writing Task 1, you will be asked to write a letter including the information or explaining a situation. In that given 20 minutes, you must write a 150-word letter. The letters in IELTS writing task 1 for general comprise three types: formal letter, personal, and semi-formal. IELTS general writing task one evaluates Candidates on their ability to personal correspondence engagement, elicit and provide general factual information, express needs, like-dislikes, and wants, and express their opinions.

IELTS Task One Writing General

• Write a Letter to the Restaurant about its Service IELTS General Writing Task 1
• A Reporter Complained about a New TV Program that you Like IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to a Friend about Buying a House IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to the Agency About Leaving the Flat Early IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter To The Family Describing The Things You Left Behind IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Job Application Cover Letter IELTS General Writing Task 1
• A letter to the Building Manager Complaining about the Problem with Bicycle Parking near the Workplace IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Write a letter to HR Manager about your Job Interview IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to a Friend About a Book that I have Recently Read IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to School for Joining the Children’s Trip to Another Country IELTS Writing Task 1
• Write a Letter to Your Friend about a Job Opportunity IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Write a letter to the Student Accommodation Officer of Local College IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Write a letter to your counselor about demolition of an historic building due to lack of funds to renovate IELTS General writing task 1
• Write a Letter to Your friend Expressing Your Feelings About Dinner IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to Your Manager Saying That You Need to Take Certain Course IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to a Bookstore Manager Living in Another City IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Letter to Manager to Set Up Cafeteria for Staff IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Formal Letter to Change Hostel Room IELTS General Writing Task 1

IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same for Academic and General. The only difference is that the topics for IELTS general writing task 2 include daily life situations, work, and relationships. On the other hand, IELTS essay questions for academic topics include Education, Technology, and Science. There are five main types of IELTS writing task two questions:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

• In today’s digital age, anyone with a smartphone can capture and share photographs IELTS Writing Task 2
• When asked to choose between a life without work and working most of the time, most people would choose not to work IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people think that the government should be responsible for funding the healthcare and education IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people believe that the purpose of education is to make individuals useful to society IELTS Writing Task 2
• Innovation is often driven by the pursuit of profit and economic growth IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people think that students should study in their own city IELTS Writing Task 2
• Teaching situation of a teacher and students in the class will not exist by the year 2050 IELTS Writing Task 2
• Fewer and fewer people today write by hand using a pen or pencil IELTS Writing Task 2
• To improve Children’s Lives, Mothers and Fathers should Attend parenting and child development courses IELTS Writing Task 2
• Studying at College or University is important for a Successful Career IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people believe that it is important to introduce tax education in secondary school IELTS Writing Task 2
• The world has many towns and cities constructed in previous centuries that were more suitable and livable for people in those times than they are now IELTS Writing Task 2
• Eco-tourism often involves visiting remote and fragile ecosystems, which raises concerns about the impact on local cultures and indigenous communities IELTS Writing Task 2
• Some people believe that the biggest problem facing cities is the increasing number of cars IELTS Writing Task 2
• In this technological era, personal information is stored on computers by many companies and organisations IELTS Writing Task 2
• Due to the increase in population in big cities, more and more people are living in small houses IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Sample Practice Papers

The following IELTS writing practice papers and IELTS examples can be useful for candidates appearing for the exam:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions

IELTS Writing Marking Criteria

IELTS writing is assessed based on four specific criteria and each task is judged independently analyzing if the responses of the candidates meet those criteria. Each of these criteria is scored on a scale of 0 to 9. The IELTS scores for each criterion are then averaged to calculate your overall Writing band score.

For example, if you score 6 in Task Achievement, 7 in Coherence and Cohesion, 6.5 in Lexical Resource, and 7 in Grammatical Range and Accuracy, your overall Writing score would be:

(6 + 7 + 6.5 + 7) / 4 = 6.625

This score is usually rounded to the nearest half-band or whole band, so in this case, your final Writing score would be 6.5.

​Candidates can consider preparation from above mentioned resources. These provide effective guidance for IELTS exam pattern. Moreover, candidates can also find more samples and practice papers available over the internet for IELTS preparation.