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General Training Writing Task 1 Actual Exam Questions

The best way to prepare for IELTS is to practice with the real exam questions. Here on this page, we have added a number of actual questions from past exams. Answer these questions following real exam instructions. Best of luck.

 

A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He / She has asked for your advice.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

  • explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday

  • describe some possible disadvantages

  • say whether you would like to go camping with your friend this summer

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You are working for a company. You need to take some time off work and want to ask your manager about this. Write a letter to your manager.

In your letter

  • explain why you want to take time off work

  • give details of the amount of time you need

  • suggest how your work could be covered while you are away

You have seen an advertisement from a couple, who live in Australia, for someone to teach their two children your language for a year.

Write a letter to the couple. In your letter:

  • explain why you think you would be suitable for the job

  • say what else you could do for the family

  • give your reasons for wanting the job

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There is a problem with the changing rooms in the sports centre that you visit. You have complained several times but with no success. Write a letter to the manager of the sports centre. In your letter:

  • Describe what the problem with the changing rooms is

  • Say what happened the last times you complained

  • Explain what you want the manager to do

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A friend has invited you to a party, but you are busy on the day it’s being held. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

  • Apologies for not being able to attend

  • Explain why you are busy

  • Invite your friend to do something else with you

You have received a letter from your bank, asking you to acknowledge receipt of a new bank card. However, the card was missing from the envelope.  

  • Explain why you are writing

  • Express concern about the missing card 

  • Propose a solution

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You were absent from an important event held by the company you work for. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

  • Apologize for your absence

  • Explain why you had to be at the other event

  • Explain what you will do to catch up

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You arranged to visit a friend in England but an important event at home happened, which means that you must change the date of the visit. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, 

  • explain the important event 

  • apologize for the situation

  • suggest a new arrangement 

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You recently spent a weekend with your friend in her/his new house. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, you should:

  • explain what you like about his new house

  • tell him/her what you enjoyed most during your staying

  • suggest when and where you could meet next time with her/him

 

 

Your company is going to give a special training course for staff. Your manager has asked you to find out if the local conference centre has the right facilities to hold this course. Write a letter to the manager of the conference centre. In your letter:

  • give details about the course

  • describe what equipment you will need for the course

  • ask some further questions about the facilities at the conference centre

Your child is going on a three-day school trip to another country. The head teacher wants to find parents to go with the group and you would like to go. Write a letter to the head teacher. In your letter:

  • Say why you would like to go on the trip                   

  • Suggest what you could do to help during the trip

  • Ask other questions about the trip  

 

 

You have a meeting with your manager the next day. Write a letter telling him/her what you are going to discuss in the meeting. In your letter, you should tell

  • what you have done for the company in the year you worked there

  • what changes you would like to recommend

  • what training you require

 

 

There is a public event coming up in your town. Write a letter to your friend who you think would be interested to take part in it. In your letter, you should

  • describe the event

  • explain why you think he/she would be interested in it

  • suggest an arrangement to meet there with him/her

 

 

A friend has written to you asking for advice about a problem at work. You have had a similar problem in the past. Write a reply to your friend. In your letter

  • tell your friend you understand the problem

  • explain what happened to you in the past

  • suggest possible solutions to the problem

 

 

You have lost an item of value on a train. Write a letter to the railway company. In your letter

  • Describe the item

  • Explain where and when you left it

  • Say what action you would like the company to take

A friend you made while you were studying abroad has written to ask you for help in finding a job in your country. You have heard about a job in a local company that might be suitable for his/her. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

  • Tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves

  • Say why you think the job would be suitable for him/her

  • Explain how to apply for the job

 

 

A museum near your home is looking for people to do part-time voluntary/unpaid work. You would like to do some voluntary/unpaid work at the museum. Write a letter to the museum director to apply for the unpaid work. In your letter:

  • Explain why you want to do voluntary work at the museum.

  • Describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful.

  • Give details of when you would be available for work.

 

 

You recently organized an all-day meeting for your company, which took place in a local hotel, in their feedback, participants at the meeting told that they liked the hotel, but they were unhappy about the food that was served for lunch. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel

  • Say what the participants liked about the hotel?

  • Explain why they were unhappy about the food?

  • Suggest what the manager should do to improve the food in future

You recently borrowed something from a friend. Unfortunately, the item has become damaged. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

  • remind your friend that you borrowed something from him/her

  • explain how the item became damaged

  • suggest how you can resolve the issue of the damaged item

 

 

Your neighbour has written to you to complain about the noise from your house. Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter

  • explain the reasons for the noise

  • offer your neighbour an apology

  • tell them what initiative you will take

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During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants. Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter

  • Remind him when and where you met.

  • Tell him what kind of job you are interested in.

  • Say why you think you would be suitable for the job.

​You want to arrange a conference for your company, and you need to ask one of your colleagues to give a presentation in this conference. 

Write a letter to your colleague. In your letter include,

  • details about the conference

  • why you want your colleague to give the presentation

  • what arrangements will you do for this conference

 

 

Write a letter to your landlord complaining about noise in the block of flats which he owns. Include

  • where you live

  • the problem

  • what he should do

 

 

You are working for a company. You need to take some time off work and want to ask your manager about this. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter,

  • explain why you want to take time off work

  • give details of the amount of time you need

  • suggest how your work could be covered while you are away

 

 

You eat at your favourite restaurant every day for lunch. You do not like the decor they have chosen. Write the manager a letter telling him:

  • What you think is great about the restaurant?

  • What things you think need to be changed?

  • Suggestions on ways to improve the decor?

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