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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 Letter, topic: Describing your visit to the museum

This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 18

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently visited a museum in your local town and you had a mixed experience. Write a letter to the museum’s manager.

In your letter,

– explain when you visited and what you saw
– explain the positive parts of your experience and what you liked
– explain the negative parts of your experience and give some advice for improvements.

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir / Dear Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir,

My name is Peter Jones and last weekend on the twenty-third of May I visited your American History Museum. Being a history enthusiast, I was looking forward very much to learning about the important events that your museum covers and looking at the displays. In general, the exhibits were well-presented and interesting. I was also impressed with the recreation of various American Revolution events that were acted out by your staff.

However, there were certain aspects of my visit that were quite unsatisfactory and I would suggest that these be improved as soon as possible. I heard that several of the tour guides I passed were giving incorrect information regarding dates, people, events and the impact of certain events. I also found the order of exhibits, though detailed, difficult to follow, for many were not in chronological order. Some exhibits had their information missing and so it was impossible to understand what I was looking at. I would also suggest improving the lighting, for it is quite harsh and creates an unwelcome atmosphere.

Your museum is very interesting, and I hope you can act on my advice to create a more worthwhile experience. I look forward to visiting again soon.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Jones

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters

IELTS Report, topic: Comparing two plans of a cinema, in 1980 and now

This is a model answer for a Writing Task 1 from the IELTS exam in Kuwait, Nigeria and Iran, shared yesterday. This response is likely to score no less than Band 8 in IELTS.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

The two plans below show the layout of a cinema in 1980 and now. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

IELTS Writing Task 1 Two Cinema Plans

Band 8 Answer

The two plans are showing the layout of a cinema in 1980 and now, including the location of the screening theatres, box office, Manager’s office, toilets and car park.

It can be seen that over time the number of screening theatres grew significantly; however, their size has shrunk.

In 1980 there were two screening theatres, Cinema 1 and 2. Cinema 1 was the closest to the entry, on the left. The box office was located on the right near the entrance, with the drinks counter to its right. Further away from the entrance on the right side there was the Manager’s office and Cinema 2. The toilets were located opposite Cinema 2 on the left side of the building, and along the back wall there was a car park.

Quite a few things have changed since 1980. The number of screening theatres grew from 2 to 5, with Cinemas 1 and 2 located to the left of the entrance and Cinemas 3, 4 and 5 – to the right. The car park had to go, to make room for the new theatres. A café opened to the left of the entrance, serving food and drinks, and the old drinks counter next to the box office was converted to a DVD shop. The only things whose locations didn’t change were the box office, the Manager’s office and the toilets.

Teacher’s comment: This response describes the two plans in great detail. The writer’s vocabulary and word choice are adequate, and the comparison of the plans is comprehensive and well-organised. Overall, this work is likely to get Band 8.

Click here to see more IELTS reports of band 8