IELTS practice library
60 original practice questions across all four writing formats. Browse by question type, topic and level, or let a random pick choose your next task. These are teaching materials, not recalled exam questions or predictions.
Choose a format below, read the question, and make a short plan before writing. Try a timed attempt, compare your approach with the sample, then revise one specific weakness. No account is needed to explore the library or start writing.
Compare Academic and General Training writing before choosing a format: Task 1 changes from a visual report to a letter, while both tests include an essay.
Random picks respect every filter and avoid repeats until you have seen the matching set. They do not change your editor draft. Practice levels are teaching guidance, not predicted IELTS bands.
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Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Local councils should give priority to opening school sports facilities for public use outside teaching hours rather than building new sports centres. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Task 2 · Two-part questions
A school is considering replacing one classroom lesson each term with an organised visit to a zoo or wildlife centre. What educational benefits might these visits offer? What concerns should the school address before arranging them?
Academic Task 2 · Discuss both views
A town with a growing proportion of older residents is reviewing its community budget. Some residents think extra money should go to organised social activities for older people. Others believe practical support at home should receive priority. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Academic Task 2 · Problems / causes and solutions
Some people who have served a prison sentence struggle to find stable employment after their release. Why might this happen, and what could employers and public services do to help them find suitable work?
Academic Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
A town museum plans to remove admission charges for its permanent collection while continuing to charge for temporary exhibitions. Do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh the disadvantages?
General Training Task 1 · Semi-formal letters
You borrowed a portable speaker from a local club and did not return it on the agreed day. You know the club coordinator through regular volunteering. Write a letter to the coordinator. Apologise and explain the delay, describe how you will return the equipment, and say how you will avoid a similar problem.
Academic Task 2 · Discuss both views
Some people support allowing advertising on free learning websites designed for children because it helps pay for the service. Others believe these websites should contain no commercial advertising. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Academic Task 1 · Processes and stages
The diagram shows selected routes in a simplified coastal water cycle. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
General Training Task 1 · Formal letters
You have seen an advertisement for a weekend visitor assistant at a local history museum. Write a letter to the museum manager. Explain why you are interested in the role, describe relevant experience, and give details of your availability.
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The line graph shows annual loans of print books and digital items from a town's libraries in 2020 and 2025, with projections for 2030 and 2035. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
A community education centre plans to move all of its evening adult courses from classrooms to live online lessons. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages?
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The bar chart shows enrolments in six types of evening class at a community centre in 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
In many countries, working from home is becoming increasingly common. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
Academic Task 2 · Discuss both views
Some people believe universities should focus on academic subjects, while others think practical skills are more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Some people think public transport should be free in cities to reduce congestion and pollution. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Task 2 · Problems / causes and solutions
Children now spend more time using digital devices than playing outdoors. Why is this happening, and what can be done to encourage outdoor activity?
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The line graph shows the number of visitors to three museums between 2000 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The charts compare the sources used to generate electricity in a country in 1995 and 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 1 · Maps and plans
The maps show a public library before and after redevelopment. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
General Training Task 1 · Formal letters
You recently ordered an item online, but it arrived damaged. Write a letter to the company. Describe the item, explain the damage, and state what you would like the company to do.
General Training Task 1 · Formal letters
You are organising a community event and would like a local business to support it. Write a letter explaining the event, describing the support you need, and explaining how the business would benefit.
General Training Task 1 · Informal letters
A friend from another country is coming to visit your area. Write a letter suggesting where they should stay, describing activities you can do together, and giving advice about what to bring.
General Task 2 · Discuss both views
Some people believe governments should make unhealthy food more expensive. Others believe education is a better solution. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
General Task 2 · Causes and evaluation
International tourism can sometimes cause local traditions and cultures to become less distinctive. Why does this happen, and is this a positive or negative development?
Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Some people think that managing personal finances should be taught as a compulsory subject at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Task 2 · Discuss both views
As cities grow, some people believe that new housing is more important than preserving parks and green spaces. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Scientific research should be funded and controlled by governments rather than private companies. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
General Training Task 1 · Formal letters
A delivery company has repeatedly delivered important packages late. Write a letter to its manager. Describe the deliveries, explain the problems the delays caused, and state what action you expect.
General Training Task 1 · Informal letters
A friend is considering taking a professional course that you recently completed. Write a letter to your friend. Describe the course, explain what you found useful, and give advice about preparing for it.
General Training Task 1 · Formal letters
You would like to hire a public hall for a local club. Write a letter to the venue manager. Explain the purpose of the event, describe the facilities you need, and ask about availability and cost.
General Task 2 · Problems / causes and solutions
More people are buying goods online instead of using local shops. What problems can this cause for communities, and what measures could encourage people to shop locally?
General Task 2 · Causes and evaluation
In some countries, people are expected to work until a later age than in the past. What are the reasons for this change, and do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Academic Task 2 · Problems / causes and solutions
Households sometimes throw away food that could still be eaten. What are the main reasons for this, and what could households and food retailers do to reduce the waste?
Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Manufacturers should be required to make everyday products easy to repair, even if this raises their purchase price. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Task 2 · Discuss both views
Some teachers think students should be assessed mainly through long-term projects. Others think final examinations provide a fairer assessment. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
General Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
Some employers allow staff to complete the same weekly working hours over four longer days instead of five shorter days. Do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh the disadvantages?
General Task 2 · Causes and evaluation
Some people with jobs based in large cities are choosing to live in smaller towns while working remotely. Why might they make this choice, and is the change positive or negative for the towns receiving them?
General Task 2 · Two-part questions
Many adults would like to take evening classes while continuing to work full time. What difficulties might they face? How can education providers make these classes easier for working adults to attend?
General Training Task 1 · Semi-formal letters
You need to change your working hours temporarily to attend a training programme. Write a letter to your manager. Explain the programme, describe the change in hours you need, and suggest how your work could be covered.
General Training Task 1 · Informal letters
You accepted an invitation to a friend’s celebration but can no longer attend. Write a letter to your friend. Explain why you cannot come, apologise, and suggest another way to celebrate together.
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The table shows the percentages of commuters using three main methods of travel to work in three towns in 2010 and 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 1 · Processes and stages
The diagram shows a simplified process for making recycled paper sheets from used paper. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Schools and universities should use automated systems to give students feedback on all written assignments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Academic Task 2 · Problems / causes and solutions
Noise from traffic and construction is increasing in many cities. What problems can this cause, and what measures could local authorities take to reduce it?
Academic Task 2 · Two-part questions
Some university students spend part of their free time volunteering in the local community. What benefits can this bring to students? How can universities encourage more students to take part?
Academic Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
More medical consultations are taking place by video or telephone instead of in person. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
General Task 2 · Discuss both views
Some people think public libraries should focus mainly on books, while others believe they should provide a wider range of community services. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
General Task 2 · Problems / causes and solutions
Many adults would like to exercise more but rarely take part in local sports activities. Why might this happen, and what could communities do to increase participation?
General Task 2 · Causes and evaluation
Some secondary schools are beginning the school day later than they did in the past. Why is this change being considered, and is it a positive or negative development?
General Training Task 1 · Semi-formal letters
A neighbour in your apartment building has recently been making noise late at night. Write a letter to the neighbour. Describe the noise, explain how it affects you, and suggest a way to solve the problem.
General Training Task 1 · Informal letters
You recently stayed with a friend for a weekend. Write a letter to your friend. Thank them for the visit, describe something you particularly enjoyed, and invite them to stay with you.
General Training Task 1 · Formal letters
You left an important item on a train. Write a letter to the railway company's lost-property office. Describe the item, explain when and where you lost it, and state how the office can return it to you.
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The bar chart shows average daily household water use per person for four purposes in a town in 2005 and 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 2 · Opinion / agree or disagree
Universities should be required to include planted green roofs on all suitable new buildings, even if this increases construction costs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
General Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
Some communities provide libraries where residents can borrow tools and household equipment instead of buying their own. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
General Training Task 1 · Informal letters
You are moving to a new home and would like a friend to help you. Write a letter to your friend. Explain when you are moving, describe the help you need, and say how you will thank your friend.
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The pie charts compare how an average household in a town distributed its monthly spending among five categories in 2005 and 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 1 · Charts and data
The bar chart shows annual passenger journeys by three forms of regional transport in 2010 and 2025, while the table gives the average single fare for each form in the same years. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 1 · Processes and stages
The diagram shows a simplified system for collecting and reusing glass bottles. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Academic Task 1 · Maps and plans
The plans show a station square in 2025 and a proposed design for the same area in 2028. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
