Dear Sara,

My departure date for Canada is drawing near, and I am busy with preparations. I have
enrolled at an institution called IDT English in Ottawa, for a four-month intermediate
course, full-time. It is quite expensive but I am hopeful of improving my pronunciation,
especially.

To assist in covering the costs of my study, I aim to find a part-time job. Not only are the
college fees rather high, but also I know that rental accommodation in the capital city will
not be cheap, to say nothing of food and heating expenses! So I would very much like to
arrange some temporary employment before I arrive.

I was wondering if you could ask around among your friends and colleagues to see if
anyone wants a house-cleaner, gardener, or nanny for their children. I know you have a
wide social network in Ottawa which you could canvas for me, if you wouldn't mind. I'd
be so grateful.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Best wishes,

Helen

Many people believe that formal pen and paper examinations are not the best
method of assessing educational achievement.

Discuss this view and give your own opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words.

Exam Tip

Timing is critical in any test or exam. Running out of time leads to underlength essays
and essays that are really a set of notes or bullet point. The latter will lead to the
candidate losing points due to poor paragraphing. Although taking a watch into the test
will help, it is by practising before the test and improving writing speed that the candidate
will really help themselves. Try to keep a note of how many words you are able to write
within a time limit and record how your writing speed improves with practice.

Sample answer
Examinations are one of the most common methods of measuring learning in education
systems throughout the world. At virtually every stage of the learning process, exams
are used to verify that the learner is ready to move on to the next stage. However, many
people believe that the role of examinations should be reconsidered.

There are clearly certain advantages to exams. They help to ensure fairness by
imposing the same conditions on all exam candidates. They are also relatively versatile;
different types of exam questions, for example, multiple-choice questions and essay
tasks, can test different sorts of reasoning ability. However, exams also have clear
drawbacks. Test-wise candidates can often perform well on exams without having good
underlying knowledge or skills. On the other hand, some test-takers perform poorly in
exams simply because of anxiety. Some teachers and learners focus only on those
aspects of the curriculum that are likely to be tested, thus narrowing the educational
experience for all.

A number of measures should be taken to address these concerns. Wherever possible,

exams should match the content and activities of the learning environment. Exam tasks
should be varied to give fair opportunities to candidates with different types of skills.
Other types of assessment should also be considered; assignment writing, for example,
to assess independent learning and research skills, or group projects, to measure
teamwork ability.

Exams clearly have a role to play in ensuring proper, objective assessment of

achievement. However, exams need to be carefully designed and supplemented with
other forms of assessment if they are to be a truly useful component of the educational
system.

Some people choose to eat no meat or fish. They believe that this is not only
better for their own health but also benefits the world as a whole.

Discuss this view and give your own opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words.

Test Tip

Do not attempt to rewrite model or sample answers in the exam. Your composition will
not fit the task exactly, ever if it is about a similar object. The examiners can recognize a
prepared answer and you will lose a lot of mark.

Sample answer
The number of vegetarian in a community may depend on various factors, for example
the traditions of the country, the wealth of the country, the religion or the age group.
Therefore, the reasons why people choose to exclude meat and fish from their diet may
also vary.

Some people become vegetarian because they believe that this will benefit their health.
Undoubtedly, eating too much meat, especially too much red meat, is not to be
recommended. Moreover, the fact that there are healthy populations in some parts of the
world where no one eats meat proves that it is not, as some people claim, an essential
part of the human diet. However, it is important to ensure that enough protein, for
example, is included in the diet from other sources. Where vegetarianism is not a
tradition, this may require some careful planning.

In my experience, it is quite common for people to become vegetarians because they

feel that it is selfish to eat meat or because meat production increases global warming.
They may also feel that if no one ate meat, there would be no food shortage, because
meat production uses up food resources. This idealistic point of view is very attractive,
but it is hard to judge whether it is in fact correct.

In some families, if a teenager decides to become a vegetarian, they may do so partly

out of a spirit of rebellion, because this behaviour can be interpreted as a criticism of
their parents way of life. However, provided that they continue to eat healthily, the
parents should not raise objections, in my opinion. Vegetarianism is a valid choice in life.
Moreover, research shows that vegetarians tend to be healthier in many ways than
meat-eaters.

Personally, I think that being a vegetarian is a good idea in principle as there are proven
health benefits and probably social benefits as well. However, it does not suit everybody,
and I doubt whether it will ever be a universal choice.

(330 words)

Motorways help people travel quickly and cover long distances but they also
cause problems. What are the problems of motorways and what solutions are
there?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
Many countries in the world rely on motorways for speedy and efficient transportation, as
they are a very convenient way of travelling long distances. However, motorways also
have negative aspects such as dangerous traffic, damage to the environment and
pollution. In this essay, I will look at some of the problems of motorways and how they
can be overcome.
One major problem of motorways is that they can be dangerous. In many countries, the
speed limit on motorways is very high. This means that any accidents are more likely to
be serious and involve many vehicles. Sometimes in bad weather, several vehicles
crash into each other and many people are killed or injured. This problem could be
solved in a number of ways. People could have special lessons on how to drive safely
on motorways. In addition, special signs could be displayed when driving conditions are
bad to make people drive more slowly and safely. Alternatively, the general speed limit
could be reduced slightly.

Secondly, motorways can spoil the environment. Motorways often go through beautiful
areas and may damage plants and wildlife. This problem could be avoided by building
motorways through less beautiful areas or putting some sections in tunnels. In addition,
the large amount of traffic on motorways produces both air pollution and noise pollution.
However, governments could help to reduce air pollution by making environmentally-
friendly cars cheaper. Noise pollution could be reduced by changing motorway surfaces
or by putting up sound-proof fences.

Despite the problems of motorways, they are necessary and useful. With careful
preparation and planning, the problems they cause could be reduced. People today are
also more aware of environmental issues and as a result cars and road transport in
general are becoming more environmentally friendly.

(290 words)

rite about the following topic:

Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We
know what they eat, where they buy their clothes and who they love. We also often see
pictures of them in private situations.

Is it appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of private information about
people?

Give reasons for your answer.

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip
Structuring an essay is an important part of writing for IELTS. For a Task 2 essay, use a standard
essay structure consisting of separate paragraphs: an introduction (one paragraph), followed by the
main body of the essay (two or three paragraphs), then a conclusion (one paragraph).

There are various connectors that are typically used for conclusions. The first one on the list is the
most unimaginative, and it is better to think of a more interesting one if you can.

In conclusion, finally, therefore, consequently, clearly, it is clear, on the whole, in other

words, generally speaking
You cannot score above Band 5 if you do not use any paragraph. You cannot score above Band 6 if
your paragraphs do not have a clear central topic.

Model answer

Generally, people read newspapers to find out about world current affairs and they read magazines to
be entertained. Therefore, one would expect to find articles that feature the private lives of famous
people in magazines rather than newspapers. However, nowadays, more and more newspapers
include stories like these which are neither informative nor useful.

In my opinion, this type of gossip about people's private lives should not be in newspapers for several
reasons. Firstly, for example, the fact that Princess Diana is going out with a sportsman is not
important news. Secondly, if newspapers want to publish articles about famous people they should
focus on their public events and achievements. In other words, if there is an article about Princess
Diana it should be about her works of charity, which will increase public awareness of important
problems. In addition, journalists should make sure that they write about the facts only, not rumours.
One should be able to rely on newspapers for the actual truth.

Magazines, on the other hand, focus on social news. But I feel it is more acceptable for them to
contain some features about famous personalities. In addition to being popular reading, these stories
often benefit the stars by giving free publicity to them, thereby helping their careers. However, I also
believe that magazine stories should not mention things that are too embarrassing or untrue just to
attract people to buy the magazine. Sensational stories, such as these, cause great unhappiness to
the people concerned.

In conclusion, I think newspapers should concentrate on real news but magazines can feature some
articles on people's private lives.

In today's job market it is far more important to have practical skills than
theoretical knowledge. In the future, job applicants may not need any formal
qualifications.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
Practical skills are very important and it could be argued that they are as important as
academic qualifications when it comes to getting a job. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that
academic qualifications will ever become unnecessary.

There are certain manual jobs such as cleaning and labouring where formal
qualifications are less important. Employers in these industries are more likely to employ
people with a good working knowledge of the job and what it entails. However, even in
these jobs it is important for people to have a minimum level of education, especially if
they want to rise above the lowest working level. How can a person without good writing
and mathematical skills balance a budget or manage staff? How can such a person
make informed decisions about which products to use or safety issues in the workplace?

Having said this, a student graduating from university with the highest level of
qualifications, but limited practical skills, still has a great deal to learn. None of us would
expect or want a doctor without many years of practical experience and training to
perform an essential operation. Students from all disciplines need to understand that
entering the job market with a degree in management, for example, does not
automatically qualify them for a managerial role.

Clearly, education is important in teaching the theoretical side of any profession. This
theoretical knowledge forms an important basis for practical skills which are also
essential. In truth neither one nor the other is dispensable when it comes to getting a
good job.

(255 words)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

As the number of private cars has increased, so too has the level of pollution in many cities.
What can be done to tackle this increasingly common problem?

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

As the number of private cars has increased, so has the level of pollution. Overreliance on cars at the
expense of public transport has made this problem even worse, causing many concerned citizens to
look for a solution to the problem.

One potential solution to this problem is to discourage the use of private cars by raising taxes. If the
cost of petrol was increased, then many people would consider using alternative forms of transport or
even walking. Admittedly, there would be a number of complaints from car drivers, but these would
not be of much importance when balanced against the environmental benefits.

Another solution could be to look at more specific causes of the problem. Modern cars are fitted with
cleaner burning engines and catalytic converters. Accordingly, they do not cause as much of an
environmental hazard as some older cars. In Japan, for example, cars are heavily taxed once they
have been on the road for three years or more, encouraging people to buy new cars which pollute
less. By heavily taxing older vehicles from the road, some of the worst-polluting vehicles would be
taken off the road. However, this would not really be fair to those who cannot afford a new car with
such regularity.
An improvement in the quality and efficiency of public transport would also encourage people to use
their cars less. In London, for example, a system has been operating for some time in which people
are allocated days of the week when they can use their cars. On days that they are not allowed to
drive, public transport is taken.

Although these are potential solutions to the problem, none of them are perfect. Only by a concerted
effort by both the government and the public can this situation truly be resolved.

(298 words)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In general, people do not have such a close relationship with their neighbours as they did in
the past. Why is this so, and what can be done to improve contact between neighbours?

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

In the past, neighbours formed an important part of people's social lives and they helped them when
they had problems. Nowadays, people often do not even know their neighbours and in consequence
they live much more isolated lives.

There are a number of reasons why we have less contact with our neighbours. Firstly, our lifestyles
are more mobile. This means people may change the area where they live quite frequently and this
causes their relationships with their neighbours to be more superficial. Secondly, nowadays people
often live and work in different places. This leads to people forming closer relationships with work
colleagues than the ones they have with their neighbours. Finally, modern lifestyles make us spend
more time inside our houses watching television, and when we go out, we travel by car.
Consequently, we do not speak to the people in our neighbourhood so much.

There are a number of ways in which I think contact between neighbours can be improved. First of all,
local authorities can provide communal areas such as playgrounds for children and community halls
so that there are places where neighbours can meet and make friends. Next, I think that when new
neighbours come to a street, the people living there ought to introduce themselves and welcome
them. Lastly, people living in a street or small district should form neighbourhood associations and
meet regularly to discuss the things which affect them.

In conclusion, these suggestions will probably not make neighbours as important in our lives as they
were in the past. However, they will help our relationships with our neighbours to become more useful
and valuable.

(270 words)
Write about the following topic:

Some people consider computers to be more of a hindrance than a help. Others believe that
they have greatly increased human potential.

How could computers be considered a hindrance?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

Look at the words or phrases in capitals. Correct your version where necessary.

It is easy to understand why some people THINK computers are more of a hindrance than a
help. THINGS LIKE GETTING MY MONEY BACK FROM BANK or changing a ticket ARE EASY
WITHOUT USING COMPUTER, yet once one is involved, the process can become time-consuming,
complex and prone to errors. IN ALL THE OFFICES I'VE SEEN, it can sometimes seem that for every
hour saved by computers, at least set of problems caused by THE COMPUTERS BREAKING DOWN.
THIS WASTES A LOT OF TIME.

ALSO, over-enthusiastic use of computers in the home has the potential to divert large amounts of
free time away from THINGS LIKE socialising, tasking exercise or having dinner with your family.
Spending a lot of leisure time looking at a computer monitor screen HINDERS achieving other goals
in life, LIKE being healthy and socially integrated.

However, it would be simplistic to SAY that computers ARE BAD. THEY HAVE CAUSED
ENORMOUS IMPROVEMENTS in communications, medicine, design, education and LOTS OF
OTHER THINGS. THESE DAYS, virtually EVERYTHING WE KNOW is as far away as the nearest
internet point. Computers have brought about a profound change in the way most people in RICH
COUNTRIES live. (Although it should not be forgotten that the majority of the inhabitants of this planet
have never EVEN USED A COMPUTER ONCE.)

THERE ARE DEFINITELY MORE GOOD THINGS THAN BAD THINGS ABOUT COMPUTERS. The
question is not DO computers help or hinder, but DO WE always use THEM in a sensible and
responsible way?

Write about the following topic:

Nowadays many students have the opportunity to study for part or all of their courses in
foreign countries.
While studying abroad brings many benefits to individual students, it also has a number of
disadvantages.
Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Which of these things should you include in your answer to this question?
Write YES, NO OR MAYBE next to each question.

1 What problems students may have studying abroad and what is good about it. ....................
2 What countries gain and lose from people going abroad to study. ....................
3 Whether governments should subsidise students studies abroad. ....................
4 Your personal experience of studying abroad, or the experience of people you know. ....................
5 What is wrong with your countrys education system. ....................

Show Answers - Hide Answers

Read the following sample answer. Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word or
phrase from the box below.

although because finally firstly

in my opinion such as for example moreover

secondly furthermore what is more therefore

in contrast due to on the other hand

In recent years there has been a vast increase in the number of students choosing to study abroad.
This is partly .................... people are more affluent and partly .................... the variety of grants and
scholarships which are available for overseas students nowadays. .................... foreign study is not
something which every student would choose, it is an attractive option for many people.

Studying overseas has a number of advantages. ...................., it may give students access to
knowledge and facilities .................... laboratories and libraries which are not available in their home
country. ...................., by looking abroad students may find a wider range of courses than those
offered in their countrys universities, and .................... one which fits more closely to their particular
requirements.

...................., studying abroad has a number of drawbacks. These may be divided into personal and
professional. .................... students have to leave their family and friends for a long
period..................... studying abroad is almost always more expensive that studying in ones local
university. ...................., students often have to study in a foreign language, which may limit their
performance and mean they do not attain their true level.
...................., however, the disadvantages of studying abroad are usually temporary in nature.
Students who study abroad generally become proficient in the language quite soon and they are only
away from their family and friends for a year or two. ...................., many of the benefits last students
all their lives and make them highly desirable to prospective employers.

Some people think that there are things individuals can do to help prevent global climate
change. Others believe that action by individuals is useless and irrelevant and that it is only
governments and large businesses which can make a difference.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer

Climate change is a phenomenon affecting all people in all walks of life, from individual citizens to
whole countries and huge multinational companies. The question of what we can do to prevent global
climate change and whether individual action is effective or not is a hotly debated issue.

There are those who say that the majority of the damages is wrought by big businesses. By imposing
restrictions on emissions and by strictly monitoring waste disposal from factories, plants and
businesses, governments would go a long way towards preventing climate change. It is thought that
governments around the world should come up with solutions to help prevent imminent environment
disaster. Proponents of this view claim that individual action is irrelevant in the face of massive, wide-
scale prevention policies set and controlled by governments.

On the other hand, there are a growing number of people who believe that individual action combined
with governmental and business action will do a lot more to prevent climate change than if individual
citizens were not involved. In a world of six billion people, if everyone thought about the number of
water they use, how they dispose of their rubbish, whether or not something needs to be thrown away
or if they can, in fact, re-use certain items then we would be giving the problem of climate change and
its prevention a massive boost.

Taking both points into consideration, I firmly believe that individual citizens cannot sit back and say it
is someone elses responsibility to protect the environments; we must all play our part-individual
citizens, governments and big businesses alike.

(264 words)
Modern lifestyles mean that many parents have little time for their children. Many children
suffer because they do not get as much attention from their parents as children did in the past.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you might be asked to read a statement and state whether you agree or
disagree with the opinion. Of course, you may only partly agree with it. You must explain your point of
view and give reasons for it.

Model answer

Look at the words or phrases in capitals. Choose the word or phrase which sounds more
formal. Rewrite the final paragraph in a more formal style.

People who SAY/ARGUE that nowadays parents give less attention to their children than in the past
are FREQUENTLY/OFTEN looking back to a SHORT/BRIEF period of time in the twentieth century
when MOTHERS/MUMS in middle-class families REMAINED/STAYED at home to look after their
children. What these people are SUGGESTING/SAYING is that women nowadays should not go out
to work.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT/ACTUALLY in MOST/THE MAJORITY OF families in the past
both parents worked MUCH LONGER HOURS/MORE than they do nowadays. What has changed is
that now in most countries their children ATTEND/GO TO school rather than also working themselves.
In that sense they may SEE LESS OF/HAVE LESS CONTACT WITH their parents.

Nowadays, as a result of ACQUIRING AN EDUCATION/GOING TO SCHOOL, children come into

contact with teachers who NATURALLY/OF COURSE have to explain why some of their students are
failing. What teachers come up with are LOTS OF/FREQUENT stories of parents who
are SIMPLY/JUST too busy for their CHILDREN/KIDS. And IF CHILDREN ARE NOT SUPERVISED
BY THEIR PARENTS/IF PARENTS DONT KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR CHILDREN, they will often DO
BADLY/UNDERPERFORM at school. However, FAILURE AT SCHOOL/ACADEMIC FAILURE is
nothing new even when one or both parents are at home. If children ARE NEGLECTED/DONT HAVE
ATTENTION GIVEN TO THEM by their parents, they will suffer.

I guess children probably had more problems in the past when they and their parents had to work
non-stop just to get by. These days, the law looks after children and they can go to school, so children
have lots more chances than they ever had before.

In most countries multinational companies and their products are becoming more and more
important.
This trend is seriously damaging our quality of life.
Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you might want to talk about a common opinion or fact. For example, you
might say, Many people say that multinational companies and globalisation are making societies more
open. However, if you want to be more formal, it is good to use the structure It + passive + clause: It
is said that multinational companies and globalisation are making societies more open.

Verbs which are often used in this way are: say, agree, suppose, know, think, believe, expect,
feel, report, estimate

Model answer

The writer has tried to avoid repeating the same words too often in the answer.
Read the sample again and find synonyms or phrases later in the answer with similar
meanings to the underlined words.

Multinational companies nowadays find it easy both to market their products all over the world and set
up factories wherever they find it convenient. In my opinion this has had a harmful effect on our
quality of life in three main areas.

The first area is their products. Supporters of globalization would argue that multinational companies
make high-quality goods available to more people. While this may be true to some extent, it also
means that we have less choice of products to buy. When powerful multinational companies invade
local markets with their goods, they often force local companies with fewer resources to go out of
business. In consequence, we are obliged to buy multinational products whether we like them or not.

This brings me to my second point. It is sometimes said that multinational companies and
globalisation are making societies more open. This may be true. However, I would argue that as a
result the human race is losing its cultural diversity. If we consumed different products, societies all
over the world would be more varied. This can be seen by the fact that we all shop
in similarmultinational supermarkets and buy identical products wherever we live.

Thirdly, defenders of multinational companies often point out that they provide employment. Although
this is undoubtedly true, it also means that we have become more dependent on them, which in turn
makes us more vulnerable to their decisions. When, for example, a multinational decides to move its
production facilities to another country, this has an adverse effect on its workers who lose their jobs.

All in all, I believe that if we as voters pressured our governments to make multinational companies
more responsible and to protect local producers from outside competition, we could have the benefits
of globalisation without its disadvantages.

In my opinion, children probably suffered more in the past when the whole family was obliged to work
long ouSome people feel that certain workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are
undervalued and should be paid more, especially when other people like film actors or
company bosses are paid huge sums of money that are out of proportion to the importance of
the work that they do.

-How far do you agree?

-What criteria should be used to decide how much people are paid?

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

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Tips
1) It is essential that you plan your essay before actually beginning to write your answer. Some
students may want to begin writing immediately as they are afraid that they will run out of time. This
will not allow them to produce a well-organised essay.

2) There is more weight to Task 2 when calculating your overall writing score, so time management is
important.

3) You should introduce the issue in your introduction, but avoid copying directly from the prompt.
Rather, you should paraphrase the question using your own words.

4) If you write less than 250 words for Task 2, you will be penalized in the Task Response criteria.

Model answer

Nobody can deny that there are certain professionals like nurses, doctors and teachers who are
essential to the fabric of society, and who should therefore be rewarded accordingly. However, this is
seldom the case. When we look at the salaries and fees commanded by certain film stars and
actresses and people who run large companies, this does not seem fair.

First of all, not all film stars earn huge sums of money. In fact, at any one time in the UK, for example,
roughly 80 per cent of actors are out of work and on top of that the number who are paid so-called
telephone number fees is even smaller. One must also remember that the career of many actors is
very short and that therefore the money they earn has to be spread over many years. The same
applies to company bosses.

Stating a set of criteria as to how much people should be paid is not easy. The idea of performance-
related pay is very much in vogue at the moment. Rewarding people according to qualifications has
long been used as a yardstick for paying people, but it is not a consistently good measure. Another is
years of relevant experience, but there are many cases where a younger person can perform a task
better than someone with lots of experience.
Whatever criteria are used to assess salaries, an on-going cycle will develop. This will create
pressure in other areas. This considered, generally I feel that certain key professionals should have
their salaries assessed by independent review bodies on an on-going basis so that they do not fall
behind.

rs jIt is generally believed that the Internet is an excellent means of communication

but some people suggest that it may not be the best place to find information.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

Model answer
Using the Internet has become a normal part of everyday life for many people. They use
it to book airline tickets, or to access news about world events, or to follow the fortunes
of their favourite football club. Millions of people across the world belong to social
networking groups where they keep in touch with their friends and if they live away from
them, their family. In my opinion these are all good ways to use the Internet.

When it comes to finding out information there are some very good sites where it is
possible to check, for example, someone's biographical details or statistics about global
warming. However, information from the Internet should be used with caution, because
although there are many reliable sites, such as academic journals and well-known
newspapers, there are also unreliable ones, so it is important to check where information
originates from before using it.

Some students use websites which offer ready-made assignments. This is not a good
idea, even if you ignore the fact that it is cheating, because such websites may contain
factual errors or biased views. In a recent case, a student found herself in serious
trouble when she submitted an essay from one of these sites only to discover that it was
about Austria, not Australia, but had an error in the title.

Nevertheless, it is nowadays possible for people all over the world to study or do
business on an equal footing, in a way that was unimaginable only a few years ago. On
the whole I believe that the Internet is an excellent way both to communicate and to find
information, as long as it is used intelligently.

More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies in
specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine.
Some people believe that by encouraging the movement of such people, rich countries are
stealing from poor countries. Others feel that this is only part of the natural movement of
workers around the world.

Do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 250 words.

Exam Tip
Writing Task 2 is a discursive essay. You will be given a topic to write about. You should write a plan
so that your ideas are organised logically and coherently. Try to use a wide variety ofvocabulary and
dont copy words from the question paper. Try not to repeat the same words or ideas. When you have
finished, check your spelling and make sure you have written at least 250 words.

Model answer

The so-called brain drain from poor to rich countries is now robbing poorer countries of essential
personnel like doctors, nurses, engineers, and the trend is set to continue, if not to get worse.

Some people say this movement of people around the world is not a new phenomenon. Migrant
workers have always been attracted by the wider choice of employment and greater opportunity in
major cities in their own countries and abroad. Recently, as the technological age has advanced and
as richer countries find themselves with not enough workers to feed their development, they have had
to run to other parts of the world to find the necessary manpower. Many richer European countries, for
example, are now trying to attract skilled IT workers from my home country India by offering higher
salaries than they could hope to earn at home. With the globalisation of the world economy, many
people feel that the process cannot be stopped.

Others, myself included, are of the opinion that measures should be taken to address the problem, by
compensating poorer countries financially for the loss of investment in the people they have trained,
like doctors and nurses. Admittedly, this may be cumbersome to administer, but an attempt could be
made to get it off the ground. Another step, which in part has already begun to happen, is to use the
forces of globalization itself. Western countries could encourage people to stay in their own countries
by direct investment in projects like computer factories or by sending patients abroad for treatment, as
is already happening.

It is obviously difficult to restrict the movement of people around the world and it is probably foolish to
try to stop it, but attempts should be made to redress the imbalance.

As mass communication and transport continue to grow, societies are becoming more and
more alike leading to a phenomenon known as globalization. Some people fear that
globalization will inevitably lead to the total loss of cultural identity.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Writing Tip
Don't forget to include examples relevant to your experience. Remember you are not expected to be
an expert on the topic. Personal experience counts!
Model answer

Globalization means that in some ways people around the world are becoming more and more
similar. We often eat the same food, watch the same TV programmes, listen to the same music and
we wear the same clothes. Some of this at least can be blamed on the spread of multinational brands
available all over the world.

On the surface, it may appear as if the global diversity of cultural identities is being lost. If, the
argument goes, people in Tokyo and London look and dress the same, then that must mean that
cultural differences are disappearing. However, I would argue that this is a very narrow definition of
culture and that in fact cultural differences are as present as ever.

Cultural Identity is built on far more than just the films we watch or the jeans we wear. The foundation
of cultural identity is shared values. When you look in detail at different cultures, you realize that the
things that are important to one culture can be very different from the things valued by another
culture.

Take my own culture, India, as an example and compare it to a very different culture, Japan. Although
I have never visited Japan personally, I believe that it is a culture which places a lot of value on hard
work and that people often work very long hours. The Indian people, in contrast, greatly value their
leisure time and strive to spend as much time with their family as they possibly can. Even if we
consume the same products, I would argue that there are still some very deep-rooted differences.

To summarize, I do not accept that total loss of cultural identity is inevitable, despite the influence of
large companies and their products around the globe.

School children are becoming far too dependent on computers. This is having an alarming
effect on reading and writing skills. Teachers need to avoid using computers in the classroom
at all costs and go back to teaching basic study skills.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

Write at least 250 words.

IELTS Tip
For Task 2 you might need to write about the causes and effects of a problem or issue.
Useconditional sentences and linking words such as because, so, therefore, as a result (of) to
describe causes and effects clearly.

Model answer
 Nowadays modern technology has totally changed our approach to study. In many countries students
no longer have to copy notes by hand from the blackboard; instead the teacher gives them a
photocopy. Rather than messy ink and pen, students present a typed-up copy of their assignments.
Their computer even checks their spelling as they go. In fact, some people believe that modern
technology does a lot of our thinking for us and, as a result, we are going to lose our ability to think for
ourselves.

In my opinion, spelling skills have definitely deteriorated in recent years. So many young people use
mobile phones to send text messages where speed and conciseness are more important than
spelling or grammar. Some teachers complain that these students take the same attitude toward their
assignments.

On the other hand, typed assignments are much easier to read and are much neater. Frankly, I find
some notes or texts which are handwritten almost impossible to read. Doctors, for example, have a
reputation for illegible handwriting, which could lead to disastrous medical mistakes. Perhaps it is time
we focused not on handwriting but on presenting information as accurately as possible.

One advantage of computers is that access to the Internet has opened up a new world of learning for
us. We no longer have to wait for a book that has already been borrowed from the library before we
do our research. In fact, the Internet can clearly be used to research information in the same way as a
library but more conveniently.

On the whole, rather than holding students back, I believe modern technology has actually improved
standards of education considerably.

(276 words)

You are studying a short course in another country. Your accommodation was
arranged by the course provider. There is a major problem with the
accommodation.

Write a letter to the course provider. In your letter,

say what the problem is

describe the accommodation you thought you were getting
ask the provider to solve the problem
Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

IELTS Tip
A common problem in GT Task 1 is that candidates use a strange mix of formal and
informal language. In formal letters, they may include inappropriate informalities; in
informal letters they may suddenly be too formal, usually including a memorised chunk.
This mix confuses the reader and affects the candidates score in Task Fulfilment.

Related Topic: Writing a letter

 Model answer
Dear Mr Watterson,

My name is Andrew Fish, and I am taking an eight-week intensive English course at

Oxford House College. My company is paying for my tuition, and I am using my summer
vacation to study. It is expected I will pass an English Proficiency Test as a result, and
be transferred abroad. Therefore, it is rather important to me that I am able to study in
the best environment.

I am staying in Phoenix Hostel on campus. While my room is pleasant and the facilities
are very good, the hostel is extremely noisy. When I organised my accommodation, I
was assured I would be staying only with post-graduate or intensive-course students.
However, most of the people in this hostel are doing summer-school courses due to
academic failure, and they are all under 22. It seems to me they are enjoying one long
party: certainly no one observes light out or turns down music despite being asked to.

I wonder if I may be moved to a hostel which is more conducive to serious study, or I

may use the remainder of my accommodation fee to go towards payment for a hotel.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Fish

You have seen an advertisement in an English newspaper for a job working in the
City Museum shop during the holidays. You decide to apply for the job.

Write a letter to the director of the Museum. In your letter,

introduce yourself
explain what experience and special skills you have
explain why you are interested in the job
Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

IELTS Tip
Yours sincerely and Yours faithfully can both be used to close formal and semi-formal
letters. Yours faithfully is used when you don't know the name of the person you are
writing to.

Related Topic: Writing a letter

 Model answer
Dear Sir/Madam,

Im writing to apply for the holiday job which you advertised recently in the newspaper. I
am a twenty-one-year-old student and I speak English quite well. At present I am in my
second year studying History at Lincoln College and I am very keen to have a holiday
job this summer. I am extremely good at adding up, so I think I would be an asset to your
shop.

My term finishes on 5th July and I am free until 20th September. Last year I worked in a
restaurant serving tourists from all over the world and I enjoyed it very much. I would like
to have the opportunity to meet people and practise my English again.

I enjoy going to museums and am particularly keen on history. Last year I went to an
exhibition of Ancient Greek objects which was held in London. I have often been in your
museum and am familiar with the items you have. I do hope you will be interested in my
application.

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Dimitris Boudramis

(186 words)

You play a team sport with some friends. Last week a member of the team had an
accident and wasn't able to play with you at the weekend. You decide to write to
him in hospital, telling him about the match.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter,

tell him which team won

describe the conditions on the day
say how you felt about the match
Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

IELTS Tip
You do not have time to write a detailed plan for your letter so think about drafting
(writing in rough) the opening line of each of the sections:

1) Opening
2) Main paragraphs
3) Closing

with notes on one or two main points. This will give your writing a sense of direction.
 Sample Band 9 answer
Dear Frank,

I was so sorry to hear about your accident! I hope you're feeling a lot better today and
that it's not too boring in hospital.
(Expresses sympathy and asks about the reader's health.)
The match on Saturday was disappointing. The score was 2 all, probably because you
weren't there to score that extra goal! The awful thing was that we were winning until 10
minutes before the end, when suddenly they scored another goal. I was so shocked
when I saw the ball hit the back of the net.
(Tells him the score and briefly describes how you felt about the match.)
I think the weather was to blame. It was a really wet day and the pitch was very muddy.
By the end of the game you could hardly see the grass and we were sliding around in
the mud. Everyone was exhausted.
(Mentions the weather and conditions.)
Let us know when you're going home and we'll arrange for someone to bring you to
watch the next game. The rest of the team send their regards and we all wish you a
speedy recovery.
(Finishes with good wishes.)
Best wishes,
Charlie

You saw an advertisement for a tennis course in England but you have one or two
problems and cant stay the whole course.

Write a letter to the course director. In your letter,

explain your interest in the course

describe your problems
find out if a refund is possible
Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Test Tip
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, begin with Dear
Sir or Dear Sir or Madam orDear Madam and end your letter with Yours faithfully,
followed by your full name.
Model answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
Im writing in response to your advertisement on your website for a tennis course in
Bath, England.

I have always wanted to play tennis so Im very interested in joining the course;
however, I do not have my own racquets and dont wish to buy racquets at this time. Is it
possible for me to hire racquets and balls for the duration of the course? Also I have
poor eyesight and have to wear glasses all the time. I would like to know if your course is
suitable for someone like me.

Im afraid that I have to be back in Malaysia by 31st December so I am unable to

stay in England for the whole three weeks. Is it possible for me to get a partial refund if I
want to leave one week before the end of the course?

Im looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Philip Wong
(156 words)

Show Answer - Hide Answer

Dear Mr. Peter,

Thank you for your letter of 20 September. I was very saddened by your account of what
happened in our hotel last month, and I am writing to express my apologies for this. I
can understand that you were shocked by the way the receptionist behaved. There can
be no excuse for such behaviour and I fully understand why you felt you needed to
complain about the situation. I can provide no explanation for/of the way the employee
spoke to you.

As a member of Darius Hotels Group, we have a reputation for being perfect at looking
after our customers, and I am very sorry that your experience of our service did not
confirm this. I intend to deal with staff member appropriately and I will ensure that he
does not repeat this behaviour by sending him on a retraining course next week. I would
like to assure you that the behaviour you encountered is not typical of our staff.

As the guest service manager, I am responsible for all of our employees so please
accept my apologies again and this voucher worth $100 to spend in any of our hotels.

Yours sincerely,

John Norman
Guest Service Manager
 You have just spent a weekend staying at the Lilo Hotel in Adelaide. When you
get home you find that you have left a bag at the hotel.

You should write at least 150 words.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

model answer:

Dear Mr. Simpson,

I stayed in your hotel on the 23rd and 24th of October. I was in Room 603. When I
arrived home, I discovered that I had left one of my bags at the hotel. Could you please
check your Lost and Found Department and see if my bag is there?

The bag is a small black leather, document case with a narrow strap. Inside the bag, you
will find several business cards, a fountain pen, a small address book, three copies of a
business proposal and a silver pocket calculator. These things are not very valuable in
money terms, but they have a lot of personal value.

I would appreciate it if you could contact me as soon as possible, particularly since I

need the proposals for a presentation this week. If you could send the bag to me by
courier service, I would be most grateful. I have arranged to pay for the service.

Thank you for your help.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Johnson

You are looking for a part-time job.

Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter,

introduce yourself
explain what sort of job you would like
and say what experience and skills you have
Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Writing Tip
1) Read the question carefully to make sure you have fully understood the function of
the letter, i.e. the reason for writing it.
2) Look at the three points and think of something to write about each of them.
3) Write a plan along the lines of the notes you wrote earlier.
4) Expand your plan into a full answer.
5) Leave time at the end to check your answer for errors in grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
Model answer
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a German national from Heidelberg and at present I am studying for a Masters

degree in Commercial Law here, at the University of Bielefeld, where I have been for the
last two months.

I am looking for a part-time job and I wonder if you can help me. Probably, I would like
an office job, perhaps working as a secretary, office administrator or typist. I can only
work during the afternoons and at weekends as my university studies occupy most of the
day. I would be ready to start immediately.

I am a competent typist and I am computer-literate. In addition, I speak Polish and

German fluently and I have been learning English for the past three years. While I
studied for my degree, I worked as a part-time office manager for an import-export firm
in Heidelberg. In recent years, I have also had temporary summer jobs as a hotel
receptionist in Mannheim, Germany.

I am looking forward to hearing from you,

Yours faithfully,
Heinrich Bukowski