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IELTS Writing

IELTS Writing practice: Task 1 and Task 2

Write full IELTS Writing tests or single tasks from a bank of hundreds of questions – Academic graphs, charts, processes and maps, General Training letters and Task 2 essays. A timer and live word count keep you honest, model answers show what a high band looks like, and our AI examiner marks your answer on the four official criteria – with every mistake explained and a band-8 rewrite.
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Test day at a glance

Time
60 min
Tasks
2
Task 1
150+ words
Task 2
250+ words

The IELTS Writing test format

You write two tasks in one hour. Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 on Task 2 – Task 2 is worth twice as much.

Academic Task 1

Describe visual information in at least 150 words: a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, process diagram or map. Summarise the main features and make comparisons – no opinions.

General Training Task 1

Write a letter of at least 150 words – formal, semi-formal or informal – to request information, explain a situation, complain or apologise.

Task 2 (both versions)

Write an essay of at least 250 words responding to a point of view, argument or problem: opinion, discussion, advantages and disadvantages, problem and solution, or two-part questions.

IELTS Writing question types

Every writing question type you can meet on test day is in the Band.pk tests:
  • Line graphs, bar and pie charts
  • Tables
  • Process diagrams
  • Maps
  • Formal, semi-formal and informal letters
  • Opinion essays
  • Discussion essays
  • Problem–solution essays
  • Advantages–disadvantages essays
  • Two-part questions

How IELTS Writing is scored

Examiners give each task a band for four criteria. Your Writing band combines both tasks, with Task 2 counting double.
  • Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2) – answering every part of the question with relevant, well-developed ideas
  • Coherence and Cohesion – clear paragraphs, logical order and natural linking
  • Lexical Resource – a range of accurate, appropriate vocabulary
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy – a mix of sentence structures with few errors

Want to work out a band from your own score? Use the IELTS band score calculator.

All IELTS Writing practice tests

Pick any test to see what’s in it, then start it in practice mode or as a timed simulation.

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IELTS Writing tips

Plan for five minutes

A short plan – position, two main ideas, examples – saves time and makes your essay coherent.

Write an overview in Task 1

The overview (the main trends at a glance) is the single most important sentence for a Task 1 band 7.

Answer every part of Task 2

If the question asks two things, answer both. A clear position from the introduction to the conclusion lifts Task Response.

Paraphrase, don’t copy

Copied words from the question don’t count towards your word count. Rephrase the task in your introduction.

Avoid memorised phrases

Examiners recognise learned templates. Natural, accurate language scores higher than impressive-sounding phrases used badly.

Leave time to check

Keep three minutes to fix articles, subject–verb agreement and spelling – easy marks for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

IELTS Writing FAQ

How long should IELTS Writing answers be?

At least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing a little more is fine; writing less loses marks.

Which Writing task is more important?

Task 2. It counts for two-thirds of your Writing band, so give it about 40 minutes.

Is Task 2 the same in Academic and General Training?

The task type is the same – an essay – though General Training topics tend to be more personal and everyday.

Can I see model answers?

Yes. After you write, compare your answer with a model answer and assess it against the official band descriptors.

Ready for your Writing band score?

Create a free account and take your first test today – your band, the correct answers and explanations appear the moment you submit.

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