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IELTS Writing overview

Writing guide

IELTS Writing Task 1

Task 1 has a 150-word minimum, and a practical plan is to spend about 20 minutes on it. The Academic and General Training versions require different text types, so preparation must match your booked test.

Academic: report visual information

Identify the main features, group related data, and make relevant comparisons. Give a clear overview rather than listing every number. Use only information in the visual and avoid inventing causes.

General Training: write a letter

Address every bullet point, make the purpose clear, and choose a tone that fits the recipient and situation. Organise requests, explanations, and proposed action so the reader can respond easily.

Common failure patterns

  • Writing fewer than 150 words or spending so long on Task 1 that Task 2 is rushed.
  • Academic: reporting isolated numbers without a meaningful overview or comparison.
  • General Training: missing a bullet point or using a tone that does not fit the relationship.
  • Copying prompt language instead of showing flexible vocabulary and sentence control.

Fresh Academic sample prompt

The table shows the average weekly number of visits to three community facilities in 2018 and 2025. Summarise the main features and make relevant comparisons.

Fresh General Training sample prompt

You borrowed equipment from a local community centre and discovered that one item was damaged. Write to the centre manager. Explain what you borrowed, describe the damage, and suggest what should happen next.

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