IELTS Writing practice, with the answers explained
5 prompts across Task 1 and Task 2, each with a full model answer at the top of the band and notes on exactly why it scores on each of the four criteria. Write your own answer against the clock first, and the workspace will check the things that are measurable before you compare.
It is free, there is no account, and nothing you write is uploaded.
How IELTS writing is marked
Four criteria, each worth a quarter of your writing band. Knowing which one you are losing marks on is most of the work, because the four need completely different fixes.
- Task Response
- Did you answer the question that was asked, cover every part of it, and hold a clear position throughout? This is where an off-topic but fluent essay collapses.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Is it organised into paragraphs with one idea each, and can the reader follow how the sentences connect? Linking words help, but overusing them is its own penalty.
- Lexical Resource
- Range and accuracy of vocabulary. Repeating one content word throughout is the clearest sign of a narrow range, and a rare word used wrongly costs more than a common word used well.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- A mix of structures, used correctly. A correct simple sentence beats an ambitious broken one, which is why very long sentences are risky under time pressure.
Task 1 Academic
Academic · 20 minutes · at least 150 words
Describe a chart, table, diagram or process in your own words. You report what the data shows and compare the significant figures. You are never asked for your opinion.
Task 1 General Training
General Training · 20 minutes · at least 150 words
Write a letter in response to a situation. The prompt gives you three bullet points and all three must be covered. Tone is set by who you are writing to.
Task 2
Both modules · 40 minutes · at least 250 words
Write an essay responding to an argument or problem. Task 2 is worth twice the marks of Task 1 on both modules, so it is where preparation time pays back most.
Should university education be free for all students?
A full IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay on free university education, with a band 9 model answer, the plan behind it, and notes on why it scores on each of the four criteria.
Do the advantages of working from home outweigh the disadvantages?
An IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages essay on remote work, with a band 9 model answer, a plan, and notes explaining how it meets each marking criterion.
What problems does plastic waste cause, and how can they be solved?
An IELTS Writing Task 2 problem and solution essay on plastic waste, with a band 9 model answer, the plan behind it, and criterion by criterion notes on why it scores.
What the instant report can and cannot tell you
Length against the official minimum is exact. Paragraph count, cohesive devices, repeated words, lexical variety and sentence length are all counted from your own text, and they are reliable proxies for three of the four criteria.
Grammatical accuracy is not checked, and no band score is given. Detecting a real grammar error needs a reader, and a tool that flagged correct sentences as wrong would teach you to write worse. Compare your answer against the annotated model instead, which is what the notes on every prompt are for.
IELTS writing questions
Is the IELTS writing practice on TestUstad free?
Yes. Every prompt, every model answer and the timed workspace are free and need no account. The workspace runs in your browser, so there is no limit on how many times you can use it.
Does this give me a band score?
No, and nothing that scores your essay automatically should be trusted to. The report counts what can be counted: whether you met the word minimum, how you paragraphed, which cohesive devices you used, which words you repeated and how long your sentences run. A band score needs a reader who can judge whether your grammar is accurate and whether you actually answered the question.
How many words should I write?
At least 150 for Task 1 and at least 250 for Task 2. Writing under the minimum is penalised before your English is considered at all. Aim slightly over, around 170 to 200 for Task 1 and 270 to 310 for Task 2, which leaves room to develop a point without eating your checking time.
Is Task 1 or Task 2 more important?
Task 2 carries twice the marks of Task 1 on both the Academic and General Training modules. If you have limited preparation time, spend it on Task 2. Candidates often do the opposite because Task 1 feels harder.
Is my essay saved or sent anywhere?
No. The workspace keeps a draft in your own browser so a locked phone does not cost you your work, and that draft never leaves your device. We do not store, read or upload anything you write.
Preparing for the rest of the test? IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training have the full paper pattern, and the comparison guide covers choosing between IELTS, TOEFL and PTE.