IELTS General Training Writing

IELTS General Training test is the best fit for you if you want to study below degree level, which includes studying at an English-speaking school or college. IELTS General Training can also be taken for work experience or other employment training.  

What’s in the IELTS General Training Writing test?

The General Training Writing test is made up of two tasks, Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. The topics in each task are of general interest.  

How long is the IELTS General Training Writing test?

The total duration of the IELTS General Training Writing test is 60 minutes. In Task 1, you have to write a letter in 20 minutes while in Task 2 you must write an essay in 40 minutes. 

IELTS General Training Writing test format and question types

The General Training Writing test includes two tasks that are based on topics of general interest.   

Task 1: 

You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style.    

Task 2: 

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style compared to an Academic Writing task. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.  

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1

In Task 1 in the General Training Writing test, you are asked to write a letter, where you demonstrate your ability to communicate using English letter-writing conventions.  

You will be given a common, everyday situation such as writing to apologise for missing a friend’s party, or complaining to a company about bad service, writing to give advice to a friend about where to go on holiday, or writing to express your interest in a new job.  

In addition to being given the situation, three bullet points will outline exactly what information you need to include in your letter. You might, for example, have to describe details, give reasons, express likes and dislikes, or make suggestions or recommendations.  

You will need to use the correct tone in your letter. Tone is the way you communicate with people showing the kind of relationship you have with them. In letters, the tone you use is clearly indicated by a proper salutation and closing and it should also be conveyed by your choice of words or phrasing.  

Letters are usually written in a formal or informal tone. Generally, if the letter is to friends, people you know well or family, and the reason for writing is positive, the tone is informal. Letters to everyone else and for all complaints or negative messages, should be more formal. 

IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 

In Task 2 of the General Training Writing test, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, an argument, or a problem. Topics are of general interest such as whether it is better to homeschool children, whether the drinking age should be raised, who is responsible for the care of the elderly or how families could be brought closer together.  

The task instructions give you information about the question telling you how to discuss the topic in your essay. You may be asked to provide factual information, outline and present solutions, justify an opinion or evaluate evidence and ideas. It is important that you complete the task carefully using relevant ideas and examples to support your position. Your ideas should be organised clearly, using paragraphs for each main idea. You must write a minimum of 250 words.   

You are assessed on your ability to follow English essay-writing conventions to organise and link information in a coherent way using language accurately and appropriately to express your ideas and opinions. 

IELTS General Training Writing Practice

If you understand what each task requires you to do and follow the steps we have outlined in this article, you will soon be on your way to achieving a higher band score in your IELTS Writing test. Practise IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 by writing letters and only allow yourself 20 minutes to write. Then practise answering a Task 2 essay and again time yourself and stop writing at 40 minutes. Check out these free IELTS General Training practice questions to help you become better prepared. 

If you feel you are ready to practise a General Training Writing test, why not try an IELTS Progress Check General Training practice test?