IELTS Writing Tips and Sample Questions for Practice: All You Need to Know

IELTS essays aren’t just a piece of cake. They require dedicated practice and a calculated approach for scoring around 7 to 8.5 in the writing section.

The below tips can help.

The Dos

• Conciseness (Around 8 to 15 words per sentence)

• Cohesion (paragraphs, link ideas, and sentences together)

• Coherence (all ideas should be easily understood by the reader)

• Composition (use the correct essay structure)

• Answer the question fully (cover all points as asked in the task statement)

• Add examples from your personal experience if necessary

• Use smart nouns and word groups

• Use correct punctuations

• Separate the arguments “for” and “against” into different paragraphs

• Use the right tone (essays should always be formal)

• Only use personal or possessive pronouns while giving opinions

• Lead from one paragraph to another well – proper connection of words is vital!

• Vary grammar

• Write neatly as it values the reader-writer relationship

• Write maturely to reflect mature way of thinking

• Make a plan in 3-5 minutes: it makes your essay more organized, mature and helps to convey a positive image to the reader.

• Make your opinion very clear: formal and reasoned point of view, give details.

7+ essays need

• A complicated sentence structure

• Complicated vocabulary

• Complicated grammatical use and variation.

The Don’ts

• Trying to write too many words especially when your English is average (try to be between 250-265 at the very most)

• Use contractions such as “don’t”, “didn’t,” “shouldn’t”, etc

• Overuse connecting words (your test assessors expect that!)

• Jump from one idea to the next

• Mix arguments “against” and “for” in the same paragraph

• Write in the wrong tone (essays should always be formal)

• Use abbreviations

• Overuse primitive verbs (makes, does, gets)

• Cross out many things

• Write illegibly

• Use idioms inappropriately or too frequently

• Write like a baby (bad grammar and poorly developed ideas)

• Become the victim of the clock

• Start off without a plan

• Forget to leave a blank line between paragraphs

• Use generalizations (“All”, “Every”) as this reflects an immature way of thinking

• Use simple sentences if you want a high score

• Use clichés as they’re often too informal

• Use ‘lazy’ expressions (“and so on”, “etc”).

• Copy part of task question

• Agree with both sides – choose one side to make your opinion clear

• Let adrenaline make you arrogant

• Go off topic

Sample IELTS Writing Tasks For Practice

Question 1

Without capital punishment our lives are less secure and crimes or violence increase. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Question 2

Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay.

Question 3

Nowadays people like to change their day by day activities according to the latest trends and also they are following popular things what their surrounding peoples make them popular in their area. Your essay should explain the reason why the people are spending more time on popular hobbies rather than involving in individual activities.

Question 4

Universities should allocate the same amount of money to their sport activities as they allocate to their libraries. Do you agree or disagree?

Question 5

Modern medicine helps to live a longer life. Do you agree?

Question 6

Boys are most influenced by their fathers and girls are most influenced by their mothers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons to support your opinion.

Question 7

Some people believe that having a pet such as a cat or a dog helps old people to live a more enjoyable life and to stay healthier. How do you think old people benefit from having a pet? Do you think there are any problems related to old people who have pets?

Question 8

There is no longer enough natural resources to sustain current levels of economic growth. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

All the best for IELTS examination!

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