essay for ielts general training

• Preparing for IELTS
• Practice tests
• Free online IELTS Writing practice tests
• Free online IELTS General Training Writing practice test - paper

IELTS practice General Training Writing test - Task 1

How to approach general training writing task 1.

In the real IELTS General Training Writing test, you will have one hour to complete both of the two set writing tasks.

Task 1 should take you 20 minutes, leaving 40 minutes for task 2. Before starting the first practice task, you might like to set an alert to make sure you don’t go too far over.

When you take your IELTS General Training Writing test, you will move from the first to the second task without a break. In order to give you a good idea of the test experience, you should do the same here, moving straight from practice task 1 to practice task 2.

An easy reminder…

• Q: How long should I spend on IELTS Writing task 1? A: You should spend 20 minutes on this task – saving 40 minutes for task 2.
• Q: How many words should I write for IELTS Writing task 1? A: You should write at least 150 words.
• Q: How should I prepare for the practice IELTS Writing task 1? A: For your practice tests, you should find a quiet place to work where you will be undisturbed for the whole hour.

Task 1 – Write about the following topic:

A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday. Write a letter to your friend.

In your letter:

• give contact details for when you are away,
• give instructions about how to care for your pet,
• describe other household duties you would like your friend to undertake.

When giving contact details, you do NOT need to write any addresses; something like the name of a friend you are staying with or a holiday destination is fine.

The format for this IELTS Writing task is simple. Just begin your letter as follows:

After completion

Once you have completed this task you should move straight on to task 2. At the end of task 2, you will be given model answers for both parts of the test. You can use these to compare your answers, evaluate your performance, and consider what, if anything, you might change were you to complete these tasks again.

Remember, there are no right and wrong answers; you just need to write clearly and competently about the topic provided.

Continue to task 2

• What can IELTS do for you
• Ways to take IELTS
• Who accepts IELTS?
• IELTS Academic
• IELTS General Training
• IELTS for UKVI
• Sample test questions
• IELTS Trial Test
• Trust IELTS
• On test day
• Test centres
• IELTS One Skill Retake
• Cancellations, refunds...
• Access arrangements
• IELTS scoring in detail
• Fast IELTS results
• Improving your results
• Academic Institutions
• Why accept IELTS?
• Sign up to accept IELTS
• IELTS scoring
• Compare IELTS
• IELTS for your sector
• Verifying IELTS results
• Research reports
• Test statistics​
• Research funding
• Awards and scholarships
• Previously funded...
• News and Insights

Need help finding something? Enter a search term below

IELTS General Training - sample test questions

Open up your world.

Jump to Section

• General Training - paper tests
• General Training - computer tests
• Computer practice experience

Preparing for your IELTS General Training test

We want you to do well in your test. To help you get ready, here are some sample tests for the General Training test.

Listening and Speaking tests are the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.

With these official practice materials you can:

• get used to the test format
• experience the types of tasks involved
• test yourself under timed conditions
• review your answers and compare them with model answers.

IELTS General Training - paper sample tests

The Listening test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and consists of four recorded monologues and conversations.

The following IELTS Listening sample tasks are to be used with the Answer Sheet and MP3 audio files and/or transcripts. Each answer sheet indicates which recording to listen to, or if a transcript is provided.

Listening sample tasks

• Listening sample tasks (PDF 777 KB - 33 pages)
• Listening answer sheet (PDF 1 MB - 1 page)

Find out more about the Listening test

A variety of tasks is used including: multiple-choice questions, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

General Training Reading sample tasks

• General Training Reading sample tasks (PDF 1 MB - 33 pages)
• General Training Reading answer sheet (PDF 490 KB - 1 page)

The General Training Writing test consists of two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words.

In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.

In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

General Training Writing sample tasks

• General Training Writing sample tasks (PDF 1 MB - 24 pages)

In the Speaking test, you have a discussion with a certified examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get. There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test taker output. In Part 1, you answer questions about yourself and your family. In Part 2, you speak about a topic. In Part 3, you have a longer discussion on the topic. The Speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Each of the three parts is designed to test a different aspect of your communication ability.

Speaking Sample tasks

• Speaking sample tasks (PDF 403 KB - 7 pages)

Find out more about the Speaking test

IELTS General Training - computer sample tests

The Listening question types for IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test.

A variety of tasks is used including: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion, short-answer questions.

• Multiple choice (one answer)

You will hear an extract from a Part 3 recording in which a student called Judy is discussing her research with her tutor and fellow students.

For each question, click on the correct answer.

• Multiple choice (one answer) - Answer key (PDF 24 KB - 1 page)
• Multiple choice (one answer) - Recording transcript (PDF 84 KB - 1 page)
• Multiple choice (more than one answer)

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which two people are discussing a guide to a library.

Click on the correct answers.

• Multiple choice (more than one answer) - Answer key (PDF 23 KB - 1 page)
• Multiple choice (more than one answer) - Recording transcript (PDF 78 KB - 1 page)

Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling (Type A)

You will hear an extract from Part 2 of the test in which a tour guide describes different places in a US town.

For each question, click on the correct space in the table.

• Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling
• Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling - Answer key (PDF 21 KB - 1 page)
• Plan/Map/Diagram - Recording transcript (PDF 75 KB - 1 page)

Note completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 1 recording in which two people are discussing second-hand furniture.

For each question, write your answer in the gap.

• Note completion - Answer key (PDF 22 KB - 1 page)
• Note completion - Recording transcript (PDF 92 KB - 2 pages)
• Table completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 4 recording in which a university lecturer is giving a talk about research into ‘learner persistence’.

• Table completion - Answer key (PDF 26 KB - 1 page)
• Table completion - Recording transcript (PDF 31 KB - 1 page)

Flow-chart completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases)

You will read an extract from a Part 3 recording in which two biology students are comparing their research on evidence of life on Earth and other planets.

For each question, click on the correct answer and move it into the gap.

• Flow-chart completion
• Flow-chart completion - Answer key (PDF 92 KB - 1 page)
• Flow-chart completion - Recording transcript (PDF 40 KB - 2 pages)
• Sentence completion

You will hear an extract from a Part 3 recording in which two friends are discussing studying with the Open University.

• Sentence completion - Answer key (PDF 30 KB - 1 page)
• Sentence completion - Recording transcript (PDF 37 KB - 1 page)
• Short-answer questions

You will hear an extract from Part 2 of the test in which a representative from a clothing company is giving a talk to high school students.

• Short-answer questions - Answer key (PDF 22 KB - 1 page)
• Short-answer questions - Recording transcript (PDF 78 KB - 1 page)

The General Training Reading question types in IELTS on computer are the same as in the IELTS on paper test. A variety of tasks is used including: multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying a writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, summary completion, note completion, sentence completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Multiple choice

• General Training Sample task - Multiple choice
• General Training Sample task - Multiple choice - Answer key (PDF 49 KB - 1 page)

True/False/Not Given

• General Training Sample task - True/False/Not Given
• General Training Sample task - True/False/Not Given - Answer key (PDF 49 KB - 1 page)

Matching information

• General Training Sample task - Matching information
• General Training Sample task - Matching information - Answer key (PDF 156 KB - 1 page)

Matching features

• General Training Sample task - Matching features
• General Training Sample task - Matching features - Answer key (PDF 49 KB - 1 page)

Summary completion

• General Training Sample task - Summary completion
• General Training Sample task - Summary completion - Answer key (PDF 49 KB - 1 page)
• General Training Sample task - Note completion
• General Training Sample task - Note completion - Answer key (PDF 65 KB - 1 page)
• Sentence completion - Answer key (PDF 239 KB - 1 page)

The General Training Writing question types in IELTS on computer are the same as in IELTS on paper.

In Part 1, you are asked to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.

In Part 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

• General Training Sample task - Writing - Part 1
• General Training Sample task - Writing - Part 2
• General Training Writing sample scripts and examiner comments (PDF 362 KB - 3 pages)

Find out more about the General Training Writing test

IELTS on computer practice experience

The practice experience will show you how everything will look on your computer ahead of the test day. The sample below uses IELTS Academic questions for the Reading and Writing sections so while you won’t get to practise General Training questions in all the sections, you will get to familiarise yourself with the test platform.

As these are practice tests, they are not timed. There are some variations from the live tests, including the timer, highlighting, and notes functions performing differently.

In this  Listening test sample , you will hear four different recordings.

You will hear each recording ONCE only.

The test is in four parts, with 40 questions in total.

This Academic Reading sample will show you three texts to read.

The test is in three parts, with 40 questions in total.

This Academic Writing sample consists of two writing tasks.

Where can you go?

See where an IELTS result could take you.

Book your test

Ready? Book your IELTS test now.

Our tips for a great experience.

• Accessibility
• Legal & policies

2024. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP IELTS; and Cambridge University Press & Assessment

The official IELTS by IDP app is here! Download it today.

• IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic assesses how well you can use English in an academic environment.

IELTS General training

Students applying to high schools or vocational training programs in English-speaking countries might need to take this test.

• IELTS for UKVI

If you would like to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in the UK, you can take IELTS for UKVI.

IELTS One Skill Retake

Didn't get the band score you require? Check to see if you're eligible for a One Skill Retake.

Learn the differences between the IELTS and PTE tests, including their formats, fees, scoring systems, and more.

Learn the differences between the IELTS and Duolingo tests, including their formats, fees, scoring systems, and more.

Learn the differences between the IELTS and TOEFL tests, including their formats, fees, scoring systems, and more.

English self-assessment tool

Check your language level and get personalised suggestions on how to improve your English and prepare for IELTS.

Get your results

Check your provisional IELTS results online and do more.

IELTS Community

Join the IELTS community and meet with other IELTS test takers from all over the world!

Had a great and memorable experience with IELTS - IFI. The staffs are supportive and very accommodating. Venue is stellar and conducive for testing. Not to mention, the online review is comprehensive and mock exam is absolutely helpful.

Gabriel Yumul

Ielts reading test: how to manage your time, grammar 101: affect vs. effect, grammar 101: understanding verb tenses.

IELTS General Training Writing free practice questions

If you need to take an IELTS General Training test, download our free sample questions and add them to your study plan. See sample questions and answers to get a better idea of the questions you might see on test day.

Content Tags

A quick look at the general training writing test.

Duration: 60 minutes  

The General Training Writing test includes two tasks that are based on topics of general interest.  

Task 1  

You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.  

Task 2  

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style compared to an Academic Writing task. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience. 

Task 1: Writing a short letter for a specific purpose

In Task 1 in the General Training Writing test, you are asked to write a letter, where you demonstrate your ability to communicate using English letter-writing conventions. 

You will be given a common, everyday situation such as writing to apologise for missing a friend’s party, or complaining to a company about bad service, writing to give advice to a friend about where to go on holiday, or writing to express your interest in a new job. 

In addition to being given the situation, three bullet points will outline exactly what information you need to include in your letter. You might, for example, have to describe details, give reasons, express likes and dislikes, or make suggestions or recommendations. 

You will need use the correct tone in your letter. Tone is the way you communicate with people showing the kind of relationship you have with them. In letters, the tone you use is clearly indicated by a proper salutation and closing and it should also be conveyed by your choice of words or phrasing. 

Letters are usually written in a formal or informal tone. Generally, if the letter is to friends, people you know well, or family, and the reason for writing is positive, the tone is informal. Letters to everyone else and for all complaints or negative messages, should be more formal. 

Task 2: Writing an essay

In Task 2 of the General Training Writing test, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, an argument, or a problem. Topics are of general interest such as whether it is better to homeschool children, whether the drinking age should be raised, who is responsible for the care of the elderly or how families could be brought closer together. 

The task instructions give you information about the question telling you how to discuss the topic in your essay. You may be asked to provide factual information, outline and present solutions, justify an opinion or evaluate evidence and ideas. It is important that you complete the task carefully using relevant ideas and examples to support your position. Your ideas should be organised clearly, using paragraphs for each idea. You must write a minimum of 250 words.  

You are assessed on your ability to follow English essay-writing conventions to organise and link information in a coherent way using language accurately and appropriately to express your ideas and opinions. 

Sample question: IELTS Writing

Sample question

Download the sample script

Share this article

5 tips to maximise your IELTS Writing score

Get familiar with taking the IELTS on computer test

Should I take IELTS on computer or paper?

IELTS Writing Task 2: Why can't I get a band 8

IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

How to Choose the Right Word Form

Grammar 101: Comparative Language Explained

How to successfully book an IDP IELTS test

Grammar 101: When to Use the Passive Voice

How to Use Complex Sentences in the IELTS Test

• Useful links
• Who accepts IELTS?
• News and articles
• IELTS Masterclass
• Your IELTS results
• IELTS General Training
• IELTS Online
• IELTS by IDP app
• Find sessions
• Check IELTS results
• Middle East
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Legal notices
• Privacy policy
• Cookie policy
• Copyright 2024 IDP IELTS