Format

Total Time: 60 minutes

Task 1: 20 minutes, 150 words (aim to write 175), letter writing

Task 2: 40 minutes, 250 words( aim to right around 275), essay writing

Task 1(Letter Writing, 20 minutes, min 150 words)

Types of letters:

1. Formal (official, you don’t know the receiver name)

2. Semi-formal ( official but you know the person to whom you are writing)
3. Informal (casual friendly)

Parts of letter: (always write in defined 4 paragraphs)

1. Introduction: 1st paragraph, three to four sentences

2. Body: 2nd and 3rd paragraph
3. Conclusion: 4th paragraph, three to four sentences

Types Purpose
Formal Requesting info, applying for job, complaining, making a suggestion(don’t know the
person name to whom you are writing)
Semi-formal Complaining to land lord, explaining to neighbor, asking professor for permission (you
know the person’s name)
Informal Inviting, thanking, apologizing, asking for advice from friend or close relative

Always open and close you letter with appropriate titles and greetings.

Types Opening Closing

Formal Dear Sir/Madam Yours faithfully
Semi-formal Dear Mr Brown, Dear Miss Sara Yours sincerely
Informal Dear John, Dear Susan(if there is any Best regards, Warm wishes
specific instruction to write at the
beginning “Dear…………..” then start
your letter with this otherwise you
can use hi, hello, hey.)

Always start your letter with these standard sentences

Types Starting of letter

Formal/semi- I am writing to inquire about…..
formal I am writing to inform you……
 I am writing in connection with…….
Informal I hope you and your family are all well.
How have you been? It’s been too long since we were last in touch.

Standard expressions to use in body of letter. Always include one of these expressions where needed

Types Standard expressions

Formal/semi- 1. My sincere apologies for (when you want to apologize for something) for
formal example: My sincere apologies for missing the conference.
2. I’d be grateful if you could(when requesting) for example: I’d be really
grateful if you could send me the information as soon as possible.

Informal 1. I’m very sorry for (apologizing) for example: I’m very sorry for missing your
wedding.
2. Could you please..(Requesting) for example: Could you please send me the
pictures of your wedding.

General tips to follow

1. In case of informal letter, Use slangs and idioms. They are recommended but not too much. One
or two here and there will be enough. Don’t use slangs in case of formal and semi-formal.
2. In case of informal letter, Use contractions for example write I’ve instead of I have, it’s instead
of it is. Don’t use contractions in case of formal and semi-formal.
3. Use correct spelling. Memorize spelling of words which come often in letter like sincerely,
faithfully etc.
4. Use clear, legible handwriting. It’s better to not use joining writing.
5. Include all three bullet points mentioned in the IELTS paper.
6. Marks will be deducted if you write less than 150 words. An ideal 7+band letter should be
around 180 words. In order to make sure that you have written around the ideal limit, practice
writing with pencil and paper at home. You should know that how many words you are
approximately writing in a single line. That way you can easily calculate your word count
because in exam we won’t have much time to count each word. For example I usually write
around ten words in a line so if I write around 18 to 19 line, I can easily achieve the ideal words
limit. While giving exam, when we are given few minutes before starting the first task of writing,
I put the numbers of the lines in the margin of the paper with pencil so that I knew the number
of lines I had already written and how many more lines are required. After writing the letter, I
erased these numbers from the margin.
7. Read lots of model letters.
8. Understand the scoring criteria
 Task achievement( cover all points, minimum 150 word)
 Coherence+ cohesion (present ideas logically, defined paragraphs, use standard
expression )
 Lexical resources ( use good vocabulary, use correct spelling)
 Grammar range ( varied grammar, complex sentences, punctuation, capital letters)
9. Try to write long complex sentences in the body of letter.
 Task 2 (essay, 40 minutes, min 250 words)

Types of essay
 Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
Example: Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon
be no role for the teacher in education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Structure: 4-5 paragraphs
1 for introduction (maximum three sentences: paraphrase question and tell how
much you agree or disagree)
2 to 3 for body (explain each reason in separate paragraph)
1 for conclusion (three to four line: summary and your opinion)

 Advantages Disadvantages
Example: Many people believe that an effective public transport system is a key
component of a modern city. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public
transport
Structure: 4 paragraphs
1 for introduction (maximum three sentences: paraphrase question and one
sentence explaining advantages and one explaining disadvantage)
2 for body (explain advantages and disadvantages in two different paragraphs.
keep your own self “I think” and opinion out of the body. It is only about what
people in general may think.)
1 for conclusion (three to four line: summary and don’t give your opinion)

 Advantages outweigh Disadvantages

Example: In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to
move to regional areas outside the big cities. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh
the disadvantages?
Structure: 4 paragraphs
1 for introduction (maximum three sentences: paraphrase question and one
sentence explaining advantages and one explaining disadvantage)
2 for body (explain advantages and disadvantages in two different paragraphs.
keep your own self “I think” and opinion out of the body. It is only about what
people in general may think.)
1 for conclusion (three to four line: Opinion State that both are important/has
merits. State which one is more important/better)
  Problem and Solution
Example: Crime rates tend to be higher in cities than in smaller towns. Explain some
possible reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions.

 Discussion (Discuss both view)with your opinion

Example: Some people say children no longer need to develop handwriting skills. Others
believe that handwriting is still important. Discuss both these views and give your
opinion.
Structure: 4 paragraphs
1 for introduction (maximum three sentences: paraphrase question, rephrase
both views and state your preference)
2 for body (explain both in two different paragraphs. Include example in each)
1 for conclusion (three to four line: Opinion State that both are important/has
merits. State which one is more important/better)

 Two-part Question.
Example: Alcohol abuse is becoming more and more common in many countries. What
are some of the problems associated with alcohol abuse, and what are some of the possible
solutions?

Structure: 4 paragraphs
1 for introduction (maximum three sentences: Rephrase whole question)
2 for body (explain problems in one paragraph and solution in other. Include
example in each)
1 for conclusion (three to four line: summary of problems and solutions)

Tips
1. Make sure you know different types of essay and understand how to answer and organize
your essay. Understand the essay question properly. If you don’t address everything that is
asked in the essay question then you cannot score above 5 bands.
2. Answer all parts of question
3. Ideas that you are presenting in your essay should be specifically related to the question
4. Fully explain these ideas
5. Support every idea with an example
6. Structure your answer in logical paragraphs. You need to have four to five clear paragraphs
depending on your question.
7. 1st paragraph should be introduction and last paragraph should be conclusion. Body could
be of 2 to 3 paragraphs depending on question.
8. In body paragraphs, only present one main idea in each paragraph and support it with an
example.
9. Use nice verity of linking words to make your sentences complex.
10. Each body paragraph structure should be like this
 Opening sentence (main idea)
 Explanation/reason
 Example
 Closing sentence( repeat main idea but paraphrase it)
11. If you present more than one idea in a single paragraph, you will get lower marks. So for
each idea use a separate paragraph.
12. Use a wide verity of vocabulary.
13. Use less common words for example you can use “elderly” instead of “old people”.
14. Avoid repletion of words. Try to use synonyms for a word every time you have to use it.
15. Use complex sentences. It doesn’t mean that you have to write long complicated sentence.
A complex sentence consists of two sentences joined by connecting word. Different
connecting words are for, and, or, but, yet, so, although, besides, because, while, even
though, who, which, that etc. For example:
Two sentences are
a. Urban living has many benefits.
b. Urban living has drawbacks.

Now two different complex sentences can be

Although urban living has many benefits, it also has its fair share of drawbacks.

Urban living has many benefits as well as draw backs.

16. Avoid grammatical mistakes

Different