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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 Report, topic: Multiple line graph describing the percentage of students learning a second language (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2)

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 2 Academic book, Practice Test 7

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows the percentage of New Zealand primary school students learning a second language by language learned for the years 2006 to 2014.


Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

Percentage of New Zealand Primary School Students Learning a Second Language by Language Learned; 2006 – 2014

Multiple line graph describing the percentage of students learning a second language (from IELTS High Scorer's Choice series, Academic Set 2 book)

Sample Band 9 Report

The graph shows the percentages of New Zealand primary school students who were learning a second language for the years 2006 to 2014.

It can be clearly seen that the popularity of various languages amongst school children changed over the years. Even languages that started off as equally popular in 2006 experienced a change in demand by 2014.

In 2006, the most common second language students learned in New Zealand primary schools was French (29%), with Japanese (28%) following very close behind. In 2014, the most common second language learned in primary school was still French at around the same percentage, however, the second most common had switched to Spanish (23%). Japanese dropped from its 2006 high of 28% to 17% in 2014.

The two least commonly learned second languages were German and Chinese. Chinese, which in 2006 had been the least commonly learned language at under 5%, dramatically increased and reached around 12% in 2014. German, which in 2006 had been the most common of the bottom three of the results given with 12%, steadily decreased to around 6% in 2014. “Other languages” groups various languages that are not stated. These were at 7% in 2006, but became more popular over the years, reaching around 9% in 2014 after having peaked in the previous year.

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IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about some food you bought at a supermarket

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 2 General Training book, Practice Test 8

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently bought some food at a supermarket, but, when you got home, you found that the food was in bad condition. Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket.

In your letter,

– explain what happened to you
– give details of the day and time of the purchase
– ask the manager what he/she intends to do about your experience

You should write at least 150 words.

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

Dear Sir / Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am a regular customer at Nelly’s supermarket and have never experienced a lack of quality in your products. However, last week, I made a rather disappointing purchase at your store that I would like to complain about.

Last Friday, I purchased a series of products that proved to be very unacceptable in quality and condition. Firstly, a bag of mandarins were completely covered in mould. I could not see this when I was at the supermarket, as the bag was covered in advertisements and the mandarins were not visible. Furthermore, I bought three pineapples, two of which had worms in the middle when I cut them open at home. Lastly, two sets of Vanilla Yoghurt were also three weeks past their sell-by date. This did not actually cause a problem as they were still in a good condition, but I noticed this as I began to inspect everything after having detected the damaged mandarins and pineapples.

I made these purchases on Friday the 12th of October, at around 3pm in the afternoon and I would now like to know what you intend to do about this problem. Is there a possible refund or other means of compensation?

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
John Bloomsrock

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