Cambridge IELTS General Writing 1-21

Five months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner.

Write a letter to the owner of your apartment. In your letter:

Say how long you now want to rent the apartment for

Explain why your plans have changed

Tell the owner about a problem in the apartment

Dear ...,

Some consumers are increasingly choosing to buy goods that are produced in their local area, rather than imported goods.

What are the reasons for this?

Is this a positive or a negative trend?

You started in your present job two years ago. You now feel it is important for your career development to move to a different department in the same company.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

• say what you have learned in your present job

• suggest how the company would benefit from moving you to a different department

• explain why you do not wish to leave the company

Dear ……………………,

Nowadays famous people are photographed by professional photographers everywhere they go. Some people say this is a good thing because the public are interested in their lives. Other people think that photographers are wrong to follow famous people.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Your English-speaking friend has asked for your help with a college project he/she is doing about celebrating New Year in different countries.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

Say how important New Year is to people in your country

Describe how New Year is celebrated in your country

Explain what you like about New Year celebrations in your country

Some people say that it is better to work for a large company than a small one. Do you agree or disagree?

You are soon going to spend three months doing work experience in an organisation.

Write a letter to the manager of the organisation where you are going to do work experience. In your letter:

Thank the manager for the opportunity to do work experience

Explain what you hope to learn from the work experience

Ask some questions about the work experience you are going to do

When we meet someone for the first time, we generally decide very quickly what kind of person we think they are and if we like them or not. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

You recently bought some train tickets for a journey a week in advance. When you went to the station to catch the train, you were told you could not use the tickets and the staff were very unhelpful to you.

Write a letter to the train company. In your letter:

Describe the problem you had with the tickets

Say why you were unhappy with the staff

Suggest what action the train company should take

In the past, most working people had only one job. However, nowadays, more and more people have more than one job at the same time.

What are the reasons for this development?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having more than one job?

You recently attended a training course for your work. Your employer has asked you for your feedback on the training course.

Write a letter to your employer. In your letter:

Remind your employer what the course was about

Explain why the course was useful to you in your work

Suggest why the course may not be suitable for some of your other colleagues

Some people dislike changes in their society and in their own lives, and want things to stay the same.

Why do some people want things to stay the same?

Why should change be regarded as something positive?

Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport.

Write an email to your friend. In your email:

Recommend a new sport that would be suitable for your friend to learn

Explain how your friend could learn this sport

Suggest that you both learn this sport together.

In the future, people may no longer be able to pay for things in shops using cash. All payments may have to be made by card or using phones.

Do you think this will happen one day?

Why do you think some people might not be happy to give up using cash?

The parents of your Australian friend Chris have invited you to a surprise birthday party for him/her.

Write a letter to Chris’s parents. In your letter:

Say why you think Chris will enjoy the surprise party

Explain why you won't be able to attend the party

Give details of a plan to see Chris at a different time

In some countries, more and more people are hiring a personal fitness trainer, rather than playing sports or doing exercise classes.

What are the reasons for this?

Is this a positive or a negative development?

You recently booked a part-time course at a college. You now need to cancel your booking.

Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter:

Say which part-time course you booked

Explain why you need to cancel your booking

Ask about booking a different course

It is better to buy just a few expensive clothes, rather than lots of cheaper clothes.

Do you agree or disagree?

You have bought some clothing online and are not satisfied with your purchase.

Write an email to the company that you bought the clothing from. In your email:

Give details of the purchase

Describe the problem

Explain why you need a replacement urgently

Some people think that it’s a good idea to socialise with work colleagues during evenings and weekends. Other people think it’s important to keep working life completely separate from social life.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.