IELTS Writing Checker

Cambridge IELTS 18–21 official writing samples

Compare every available official Writing sample from Cambridge IELTS 18–21 across Academic and General Training. The collection keeps all 50 scored candidate responses and 14 examiner-written models together with their full tasks and examiner comments. We tested IELTS Writing Checker on 73 officially scored responses, including 26 from Cambridge IELTS 18–20: nearly 8 in 10 of its scores were within 0.5 points of the official score, with an average gap of 0.49 points. See the accuracy study

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Cambridge official Writing sample library

Academic and General Training · official scores and examiner models

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61

Cambridge IELTS 18 · General Training Test 3

General Training · Task 1

SampleExaminer model
Formal LetterTask 1
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
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Official examiner model answer

Dear Sir or Madam I am writing to complain about the information on your website and the service I received at Central Station. Yesterday my elderly uncle and I arrived at Central intending to use the tickets we had purchased online to travel to Newcastle at 5.50pm. Unfortunately, we were told that our tickets were for off-peak and we couldn’t use them. When I bought the tickets, it was not clear on the website that they were just for certain times. This needs to be clarified on your website as I can’t be the only one who has made this mistake. However, what really upset me was the unhelpful manner of the staff. When we asked what to do, instead of helping us to pay the difference and catch our train, the attendant waved us in the direction of a ticket machine with a long queue. We missed our train and waited an hour for the next one. Please train your personnel to be more proactive in future. I hope you find this feedback useful and take it on board. Yours faithfully

Examiner commentary on the model answer

This is a very strong response to the task: all three bullet points are addressed with a good level of detail, and the tone is suitable for a letter of complaint. There is clear progression throughout the letter and a very natural style. The range of vocabulary is wide and includes many higher-level items [unhelpful manner of | pay the difference | direction of | proactive]. There is only one slip [off-peak / off-peak travel]. Overall, the response includes a variety of complex grammatical structures [intending to use], with numerous long sentences containing a number of clauses, including past perfect and modal forms [had purchased | couldn’t use]. This is already a very high-level response. To improve it, the final bullet point could be developed further, perhaps with an example of how the staff could be ‘more proactive’.
62

Cambridge IELTS 18 · General Training Test 3

General Training · Task 2

SampleExaminer model
Advantages and Disadvantages EssayTask 2
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?
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Official examiner model answer

It is increasingly common for people to hold down more than one job. Gone are the days when people could rely on one source of income to satisfy all their financial needs. I would like to consider the reasons for this change and outline its advantages and disadvantages. People take on extra work because making ends meet has become so challenging. In recent years the cost of living has risen exponentially, making it a real challenge to break even at the end of the month. Additionally, advertising companies relentlessly promote the idea that more wealth means more happiness, a concept that many people believe. They may take on freelance jobs or weekend work in the hope of improving their lot in life. A person with more than one job may experience several benefits. Diversifying your skills and gaining more experience can make you more employable when negotiating the highly competitive job market. Avoiding putting all your eggs in one basket is also a wise move as you have something to fall back on if one source of income stops. There are also many downsides to this situation. Working for more than one company can quickly leave a person feeling overworked and burnt out. It also leaves limited time for being with family and friends or doing things you enjoy. What’s more, when you are spread too thin, you may produce poor-quality work. Overall, I think it is important to remain balanced. Having an additional source of income can be beneficial if you keep work in its place, but it is not worth damaging your health and relationships for the sake of a slightly larger bank balance.

Examiner commentary on the model answer

This is a strong response. The candidate has addressed both questions and provided a range of extended ideas. The reasons given for having more than one job include the need to earn more to keep up with the [cost of living] and the idea, sold to people by advertising, that we should earn as much as possible [more wealth means more happiness]. The pros and cons of having more than one job are well covered. Advantages include increasing your skills and experience to make you more employable and avoiding putting [all your eggs in one basket] in case you lose one job. Disadvantages include feeling [overworked] or [burnt out], and [limited time] to spend with family and friends and on hobbies, and producing [poor-quality work]. The response is logically organised with well-managed cohesion. There are some very good linkers [Gone are the days when | Additionally | What’s more] and accurate reference and substitution. Vocabulary is accurate and wide ranging [satisfy ... financial needs | take on | risen exponentially | break even | improving their lot] with some sophisticated resource [putting all your eggs in one basket | burnt out | spread too thin]. Similarly, the range of grammatical structures is wide and flexible. This is a very good example of a higher-level response.
63

Cambridge IELTS 18 · General Training Test 4

General Training · Task 1

SampleExaminer model
Semi-Formal LetterTask 1
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
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Official examiner model answer

Dear Ms Karim, Thank you very much again for sending me on the Workplace Safety course. It was valuable training and I now feel a lot more confident that I know how to prevent accidents in the factory. We covered points such as safe storage, keeping access ways clear and fire safety. I can report that I have already used the skills I learned; when I noticed some cables that were a trip hazard and also a large bin that was partially blocking the exit, I was able to identify and fix those problems straight away. I understand that employees who started working with us this year have already received this training as part of their orientation but for those who have been here longer, it would be a good opportunity to refresh and add to their knowledge. It is a well-run course that is very relevant to our workplace and I am grateful for the opportunity. Many thanks

Examiner commentary on the model answer

This is a good response to the task: it addresses all three bullet points, uses a suitable tone to communicate with an employer and is presented in the correct letter format. There is clear progression throughout the letter, but there could be more evidence to justify why the course might not be suitable for colleagues (the final bullet point). There are some effective cohesive devices [that | those who], but a wider range of linking expressions than [and | but] would improve the final rating. Vocabulary is used well, and there is some effective collocation [prevent accidents | trip hazard | partially blocking]. Grammatical structures include simple and complex examples [started working with us | have been here longer], but most of the letter is in the past simple and past simple tenses. To achieve the highest scores, the candidate would need to include a wider range of cohesive devices and grammatical structures. They could improve the response by providing further suggestions on why the course may not be suitable for other colleagues. Overall, it is a good response.
64

Cambridge IELTS 18 · General Training Test 4

General Training · Task 2

SampleExaminer model
Two-Part Question EssayTask 2
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?
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Official examiner model answer

It is true that nothing in life is permanent except change. Changes in society and our own lives are inevitable. We all get older, friends and family move away, and our employment situation can suddenly change. Understandably, many people wish everything could stay the same. In this essay, I would like to consider the reasons for this view and explain why it is better to embrace change. Wanting to feel in control of our lives is perfectly normal. We often feel vulnerable when events in society occur which are beyond our control or when we cannot be sure of the outcome of something. The uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is an example of this. Changes in our personal circumstances can also be hard to accept. For example, when a friend or family member moves away, we may experience a deep sense of loss. Ironically, even good changes can bring uncertainty. If we receive a promotion, we may struggle with imposter syndrome and wrestle with a fear of failure. Despite these perfectly natural feelings, I think it is good to embrace change. Since change is unavoidable, it is much better to accept reality than to become consumed by negative thinking. When we remain positive, we may find that a change actually benefits us in the long run. Adapting to change also helps us develop resilience, a quality that can help us face an obstacle and see an opportunity in it. As highlighted above, sooner or later, we will all face change. While change is unsettling, it is vital to keep focused on the positive aspects of our circumstances. Doing so can help us unlock new opportunities we didn’t know were available to us.

Examiner commentary on the model answer

This essay is a high-level response that covers all aspects of the question. In the second paragraph, reasons are presented on why people in society as a whole and individuals might resist change. Then, the third paragraph gives clear reasons to suggest that, overall, this is a positive process. The position is consistent and the conclusion ties both areas together for a strong finish. Ideas are logically organised. Cohesive devices [Ironically | Despite these | As highlighted above | Doing so can] are used highly effectively and paragraphing is helpful. Vocabulary is natural and sophisticated [embrace change | deep sense of loss | consumed by negative thinking | develop resilience]. Sentence structure demonstrates full flexibility, with a wide range of complex examples within a range of largely error-free multi-clause sentences. Little needs to be added to improve the rating other than possibly an example to illustrate why changes should be seen as positive, in the third paragraph. However, this is a very good high-level response.