Cambridge IELTS General Writing 1-21

You recently did a short cookery course. The cookery school has asked for your feedback on this course.

Write a letter to the course director at the cookery school. In your letter:

Describe what you enjoyed about the course

Say how much cooking you've done since the course

Suggest another cookery course you'd like the school to offer

Some people say the main way to be happy in life is to have a lot of money.

How might having a lot of money make people happy?

What other things in life can make people happy?

You recently went to a concert and thought one of the singers was very good. You want to tell him how you feel.

Write a letter to the singer. In your letter:

Say how you feel about his performance

Give details of your musical activities

Explain how you would like him to help you with your musical activities

Many people work long hours, leaving very little time for leisure activities.

Does this situation have more advantages or more disadvantages?

You work for an international company, and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

Explain why you want to work in the company’s head office for six months

Say how your work could be done while you are away

Ask for his/her help in arranging it

In some areas of the US, a 'curfew' is imposed, in which teenagers are not allowed to be out of doors after a particular time at night unless they are accompanied by an adult.

What is your opinion about this?

You recently organized an all-day meeting for your company, which took place in a local hotel. In their feedback, participants at the meeting said that they liked the hotel, but they were unhappy about the food that was served for lunch.

Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter

Say what the participants liked about the hotel

Explain why they were unhappy about the food

Suggest what the manager should do to improve the food in the future

Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time, and have health problems as a result.

Why do many working people not get enough exercise?

What can be done about this problem?

The system used for rubbish/garbage collection in your local area is not working properly. This is causing problems for you and your neighbours.

Write a letter to the local council. In your letter:

Describe how the rubbish collection system is not working properly

Explain how this is affecting you and your neighbours

Suggest what should be done about the problem

Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

A friend you made while you were studying abroad has written to ask you for help in finding a job in your country. You have heard about a job in a local company that might be suitable for him/her.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

Tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves

Say why you think the job would be suitable for him/her

Explain how to apply for the job

Some people say it is important to keep your home and your workplace tidy, with everything organized and in the correct place.

What is your opinion about this?

You work at home and have a problem with a piece of equipment that you use for your job.

Write a letter to the shop or company which supplied the equipment. In your letter:

Describe the problem with the equipment

Explain how this problem is affecting your work

Say what you want the shop or company to do

Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as the Sahara desert or the Antarctic.

What are the benefits and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?

During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.

Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter:

Remind him when and where you met

Tell him what kind of job you are interested in

Say why you think you would be suitable for the job

In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there.

What is your opinion about this?

A large company in your area has decided to spend a certain amount of money, either to sponsor a local children's sports team for two years, or to pay for two open-air concerts. It has asked for feedback from the general public.

Write a letter to the company. In your letter:

Describe the benefits of sponsoring the sports team

Summarise the benefits of paying for the concerts

Say how you think the company should spend the money

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organized group activities in their free time. Others say it is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

There have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

Describe the complaints that have been made

Say why the reception area is important

Suggest how the reception area could be improved

In recent years, many small local shops have closed because customers travel to large shopping centres or malls to do their shopping.

Is this a positive or negative development?