IELTS-Blog

The IELTS exam below was shared by our kind friend K. Listening and Reading completely slipped K’s mind, but he remembered the other two sections well:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a bar chart showing the percentage of households with no car, one car, or two cars in 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001 respectively.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that universities are producing more graduates than needed, and that less emphasis should be placed on university education. Others are of a different opinion. Discuss both views and include you own opinion.

Speaking test

Interview

- What is your name?
- Where are you from?
- Did you learn the history of your home town in school?
- What is your home town noted for?
- What sports did you play as a child?
- Do boys and girls play the same sports?
- Would you allow your children to play sports in the future and why?

Cue Card

Describe a gift you have bought for someone. Please say

- What kind of gift was it?
- Why did you choose this gift?
- Do you think the person liked the gift?
- Do you think it’s easy to buy gifts for people and why?

Discussion

- Do you think it’s easier to buy gifts for men or women?
- Do you buy gifts on the internet and do you think it’s easier?
- When was the last time you received a gift?
- Why do you think people donate to charity?
- Do you donate to charity?
- Do you think the need for financial accountability is a factor in donation to charity?
- Do you think the need to donate to charities would increase in the future?

Since many of you were writing to us, asking to publish answers to the recent IELTS exams that we share, here is the first post of a new series, “Writing Model Answers”. When our visitors talk – we listen, pay attention, and do what we can to help. So, in the spirit of improving things, we have asked Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, to provide the model answers – and he agreed.

From now on, every week we will be posting a sample answer written on a topic that appeared in a recent exam. Below is the first installment – a letter on a topic that was seen in a General Training exam in Pune, India.

General Training Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Write a letter to a teacher asking for a reference letter for a job and explain:
- Why you have chosen him to write the reference letter
- What kind of job you are applying for
- Why you think you are suitable for this job

You should write at least 150 words.

Model Answer

Dear Mr. Moloisa,

As you are aware, this month marks my foray into the working world, having graduated my studies with you at Watson’s Photographer College. I am writing to you to request your aid in my transition from student to employed professional.

As your top scholar last year, I am sure you will be happy to hear my chosen career path is photography. Thanks to your grueling courses, I feel I am completely prepared to take on a professional challenge and am excited to tell you I have been offered to attend the initial employment screening at National Geographic Magazine. As part of this process, I am required to submit a reference letter written by a third party of notable acclaim among the global photography community. Of course, I was hoping I could ask you to be this person.

I would be very grateful for any kind words you could compose on my behalf to help make this opportunity at National Geographic Magazine possible for me.

Thanking you in advance,
Ryan

This model answer was written by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog.