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IELTS Writing Samples

IELTS essay samples (writing task 2), report and letter samples (writing task 1) with Band Scores, marked by IELTS teachers, including comments and suggestions on how to increase your score

IELTS essay, topic: What are the difficulties of learning a foreign language, and how to overcome them?

Many people believe that learning a foreign language is a very difficult task. What are the most difficult things about learning a foreign language? What is the best way to overcome them? Explain and include your personal experience or knowledge of these problems.

It is true that acquiring new language skills is by no means an easy task. Language learners might encounter several challenges such as unfamiliar accents or grammar structures a foreign language. However, in my opinion, such difficulties can be tackled by a well-rounded education system.

When it comes to languages, it is undeniably crucial to get used to a native accent and intonation for effective communication. However, picking up an accurate accent can be enormously difficult, especially for adult learners because of their lack of language learning ability. If a language learner has an unrecognisable accent and intonation, they would not be understood by native speakers. On top of that, each language has different grammar and typical grammatical sequencing of words. For example, Korean sentences always end with verbs whilst English not, which means that a Korean English-learner should the correct order of words.

Despite the aforementioned difficulties, I strongly believe that everyone can master a foreign language when a couple of feasible steps are taken. Firstly, it is more important than anything to start learning a new language at a young age. By incorporating foreign language programmes in the primary school curriculum, children can easily be exposed to languages of the world and eventually acquire language skills without difficulties. Secondly, the government can financially subsidise schools to run student exchange programmes that help adolescents to get experiences abroad and make friends overseas while improving their foreign language in a way.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals can have difficulties in learning a new language because of different accents and unfamiliar grammar, however, these problems can be overcome by a good quality of education system subsidised by governments.

The writer covered the task by talking about some difficult aspects of learning a new language and steps to overcome them. The ideas are presented in an orderly way, their logical sequencing and the use of paragraphing make this essay easy to follow. Skillful use of linking words and expressions helps the writer maintain coherence and cohesion. Word choice needs some more attention in this essay (see suggested corrections for expressions underlined in blue), however, overall this essay seems to be worthy of IELTS Band 8.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

change the word order to ‘in the process of learning’
‘do’ is the right verb form here because this is referring to ‘sentences’, not ‘English’
‘be aware of’ is a better word choice here
‘delightful’ is the correct word form here

IELTS Letter, topic: Applying for an advertised position

You work a part-time job in a company, and the company posted an advert seeking a person for a full-time position. Write a letter to your manager requesting to apply for the advertised position. In your letter say

– Why do you want to apply?
– What are your future goals?
– Why would it be beneficial for the company?

Dear Mr. Collins,

My name is Lisa Prior and I have been working as a pharmacist assistant in Publix for over 11 months. I am writing to you with reference to the full-time position of principal pharmacist that I have recently seen advertised.

I would like to for this position since I finished my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree last month, and am able to work full time. Additionally, the vast experience I have gained by working with Dr. Loon makes me adequate for this position. Dr Loon is willing to provide you with all the necessary references regarding my performance at work.

Moreover, I am going to start a Master of Pharmacy degree next semester which will not affect my current working schedules at the pharmacy; however, having a better prepared staff member may increase the sales through my providing professional advice to patients on a daily basis. As I prefer this pharmacy over the rest, I would like to continue my professional growth here.

Thank you for your attention, and I hope to receive a positive response to my application.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Faithfully yours,

Lisa Prior

This letter covers all the requirements of the task; all the bullet points are addressed. The information is organised well and the writer progresses from one idea to the next smoothly. The vocabulary is adequate for the purpose of this letter, with just a few instances of inaccurate word choice. Overall this letter seems to be worthy of IELTS Band 8.

Click here to see more IELTS letters of band 8

‘apply’ is a better word choice here
‘closely’ is a more formal word choice