Cambridge IELTS General Writing 1-21

Mrs Barrett, an English-speaking woman who lives in your town, has advertised for someone to help her in her home for a few hours a day next summer.

Write a letter to Mrs Barrett. In your letter:

Suggest how you could help her in her home

Say why you would like to do this work

Explain when you will and will not be available

Plastic bags, plastic bottles, and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.

What damage does plastic do to the environment?

What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?

You have just read an article in a national newspaper which claims that town centres in your country all look very similar to each other. You don't fully agree with this opinion.

Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. In your letter:

Say which points in the article you agree with

Explain ways in which your town centre is different from most other town centres

Offer to give a guided tour of your town to the writer of the article

Some people like to try new things, for example, places to visit and types of food. Other people prefer to keep doing things they are familiar with.

Discuss both these attitudes and give your own opinion.

A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called 'The book that influenced me most'.

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter

Describe what this book was about

Explain how this book influenced you

Say whether this book would be likely to influence other people

Some people spend most of their lives living close to where they were born.

What might be the reasons for this?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Your friend has been offered a place on a course at the university where you studied. He/She would like your advice about finding a place to live.

Write an email to your friend. In your email:

Describe where you lived when you were a student at the university

Recommend the best way for him/her to look for accommodation

Warn him/her of mistakes students make when choosing accommodation

Some people say that now is the best time in history to be living.

What is your opinion about this?

What other time in history would be interesting to live in?

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

In many countries today, crime novels and TV dramas are becoming more and more popular.

Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular?

What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas?

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 voluntary/unpaid work. In your letter

Explain why you want to do voluntary/unpaid 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

Nowadays many people complain about not getting enough sleep.

What are problems caused by lack of sleep?

What can be done about this lack of sleep?

A friend of yours is thinking about applying for the same course that you did at university. He/She has asked for your advice about studying this subject.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

Give details of the course you took at the university

Explain why you recommend the university

Give some advice about how to apply

In the future, more people will choose to go on holiday in their own country and not travel abroad on holiday.

Do you agree or disagree?

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

In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common.

Does this development have more advantages or disadvantages?

You have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six-year-old child.

Write a letter to the parents. In your letter:

Explain why you would like the job

Give details of why you would be a suitable person to employ

Say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia

The growth of online shopping will one day lead to all shops in towns and cities closing.

Do you agree or disagree?

You have just read an article in an international travel magazine which contained some information about your town that is incorrect.

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine. In your letter:

Correct the information in the article

Explain why it is important for the magazine to give correct information

Suggest what the magazine should do about this situation

Some people think it's better to choose friends who always have the same opinions as them. Other people believe it's good to have friends who sometimes disagree with them.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.