Before you read my sample essay, you can take some time to practice your listening with the audio first – take some notes while you listen too:
Writing Task 2
The roads in major cities today are often difficult to travel on.
What are the causes of this?
What are some possible solutions?
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
As world populations transition from rural to urban settings, there has been a resultant degradation of travel conditions within cities. The main causes of this are all related to overpopulation and the solution is for governments to incentivise living outside city limits.
The clearest source of crowded roads and degrading infrastructure is surging urban populations. Research has shown that now more than half the world is densely packed into cities built hundreds of years ago. Take Boston as an example. Boston was built for a population of under 100,000 people, who mainly travelled by walking or riding horses and carriages. Today the population is nearly a million and that means the narrow roads are gridlocked with traffic during rush hour. The relentless pounding of an overpopulated city also means that the roads suffer from greater wear and tear, which necessitates constant maintenance and exacerbates the average citizen’s daily commute.
In order to mitigate these issues, governments could encourage people to move outside cities. One half measure would be to lower taxes in neighboring districts. Many people could still commute to work from nearby suburbs, as is the case in most major cities already. Governments could also give special tax breaks and dispensations to companies that allow workers to work remotely. This would free people up to live outside of cities or, if they opt to remain in the city, they at least would not contribute to rush hour traffic.
In conclusion, worsening travel conditions for urban dwellers can be curbed through government intervention. The nations that take up this cause will be well placed to compete in a rapidly evolving 21st century.
Analysis
1. As world populations transition from rural to urban settings, there has been a resultant degradation of travel conditions within cities. 2. The main causes of this are all related to overpopulation and the solution is for governments to incentivise living outside city limits.
In your first sentence, you should paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
Then answer the two questions – make sure your answers are 100% clear.
1. The clearest source of crowded roads and degrading infrastructure is surging urban populations. 2. Research has shown that now more than half the world is densely packed into cities built hundreds of years ago. 3. Take Boston as an example. 4. Boston was built for a population of under 100,000 people, who mainly travelled by walking or riding horses and carriages. 5. Today the population is nearly a million and that means the narrow roads are gridlocked with traffic during rush hour. 6. The relentless pounding of an overpopulated city also means that the roads suffer from greater wear and tear, which necessitates constant maintenance and exacerbates the average citizen’s daily commute.
Your first topic sentence should be simple and contain the main idea for the whole paragraph.
Begin to develop it. Here I use some fake research – that is fine to do as long as you don’t make it too specific.
Begin a specific example – a real place, person, city, etc.
Develop that example – be specific as possible.
Keep developing the example – don’t switch to a new one.
Draw your conclusions/the result of your example.
1. In order to mitigate these issues, governments could encourage people to move outside cities. 2. One half measure would be to lower taxes in neighboring districts. 3. Many people could still commute to work from nearby suburbs, as is the case in most major cities already. 4. Governments could also give special tax breaks and dispensations to companies that allow workers to work remotely. 5. This would free people up to live outside of cities or, if they opt to remain in the city, they at least would not contribute to rush hour traffic.
For the second topic sentence, include another main idea.
Give your first solution – be specific and clear.
Develop it as much as you can.
Give a second solution – it is good if they are related so that you can develop both.
Conclude the paragraph by stating the result of your solution.
1. In conclusion, worsening travel conditions for urban dwellers can be curbed through government intervention. 2. The nations that take up this cause will be well placed to compete in a rapidly evolving 21st century.
Repeat your solution or the causes.
Add in an extra detail/final thought for full points for task achievement.
Vocabulary
As world populations transition from rural to urban settings, there has been a resultant degradation of travel conditions within cities. The main causes of this are all related to overpopulation and the solution is for governments to incentivise living outside city limits.
The clearest source of crowded roads and degrading infrastructure is surging urban populations. Research has shown that now more than half the world is densely packed into cities built hundreds of years ago. Take Boston as an example. Boston was built for a population of under 100,000 people, who mainly travelled by walking or riding horses and carriages. Today the population is nearly a million and that means the narrow roads are gridlocked with traffic during rush hour. The relentless pounding of an overpopulated city also means that the roads suffer from greater wear and tear, which necessitates constant maintenance and exacerbates the average citizen’s daily commute.
In order to mitigate these issues, governments could encourage people to move outside cities. One half measure would be to lower taxes in neighboring districts. Many people could still commute to work from nearby suburbs, as is the case in most major cities already. Governments could also give special tax breaks and dispensations to companies that allow workers to work remotely. This would free people up to live outside of cities or, if they opt to remain in the city, they at least would not contribute to rush hour traffic.
In conclusion, worsening travel conditions for urban dwellers can be curbed through government intervention. The nations that take up this cause will be well placed to compete in a rapidly evolving 21st century.
Answers
transition change to
rural countryside
urban settings in cities
resultant degradation concomitant decline
overpopulation too many people
incentivise encourage
city limits the edge of the city
degrading infrastructure streets, buildings getting old
surging urban populations rising number of people in cities
densely packed filled/crowded/traffic jams
carriages old fashioned transport
nearly almost
narrow thin
gridlocked jam-packed
rush hour peak hours
relentless pounding constant wear and tear
suffer from are hurt by
greater wear and tear more degradations
necessitates requires
constant maintenance always must be cleaned, fixed, etc.
exacerbates makes worse
average citizen’s the normal person’s
daily commute getting to work everyday
mitigate lessen
half measure partial solution
neighboring districts nearby areas
commute travel to work
nearby suburbs towns outside the city
as is the case in so it is in
tax breaks reductions in taxes
dispensations special allowances
work remotely work from home
opt choose
contribute give to
worsening becoming worse
urban dwellers city residents
curbed mitigated
government intervention government regulation
take up this cause deal with this problem
well placed in a good position to
rapidly evolving 21st century the world as it is changing
As world populations _____________ from _____________ to _____________ , there has been a _____________ of travel conditions within cities. The main causes of this are all related to _____________ and the solution is for governments to _____________ living outside _____________.
The clearest source of crowded roads and _____________ is _____________. Research has shown that now more than half the world is _____________ into cities built hundreds of years ago. Take Boston as an example. Boston was built for a population of under 100,000 people, who mainly travelled by walking or riding horses and _____________. Today the population is _____________ a million and that means the _____________ roads are _____________ with traffic during _____________. The _____________ of an overpopulated city also means that the roads __________________________, which __________________________ and _____________ the __________________________.
In order to _____________ these issues, governments could encourage people to move outside cities. One _____________ would be to lower taxes in _____________. Many people could still _____________ to work from _____________, _____________ most major cities already. Governments could also give special _____________ and _____________ to companies that allow workers to _____________. This would free people up to live outside of cities or, if they _____________ to remain in the city, they at least would not _____________ to rush hour traffic.
In conclusion, _____________ travel conditions for _____________ can be _____________ through _____________ . The nations that _____________ will be _____________ to compete in a _____________.
Listening Practice
Watch the video below to learn about life in the ancient Indus civilisation:
Reading Practice
Learn more about the example in my essay, Boston, here:
Nowadays, entertainers get paid more than politicians.
What are the reasons for this?
Is this a negative or positive development?
Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams
These days entertainers invariably earn higher wages than politicians. In my opinion, this is the result of technological growth in the entertainment industry and it is a positive development because politics should not be a means to amass a fortune.
Entertainment is one of the most lucrative industries today largely due to developments in media distribution. Vaudeville actors and musicians in the early 20th century were looked down on and earned little. The birth of cinema in the 1920s and the rise of television in the 1950s allowed entertainers to reach a wider audience. From there the rise has continued not only with the diversification of television but also the invention of CDs, portable music players, the internet, and streaming websites like Netflix and YouTube. All this new media reaches the majority of the world’s population who then pay for the content by subscribing or watching paid advertisements.
This is a positive development because politics should not be a profit driven profession. A good example of this would be the early American founding founders, including Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, both of whom sacrificed private wealth for public service. Hamilton was the leading lawyer in New York and when he enthusiastically joined Washington’s cabinet he took a drastic cut in salary. By the end of his term, he was mired in debt but had no regrets as he viewed public political action as far more valuable than private capital. Politicians ought to earn a good salary but this should never subvert their chief motive in serving their country.
In conclusion, entertainers make more money due to the advent of the media age and politicians should not be jealous of their wealth. Unfortunately, many politicians are selfishly compelled by economic gain when they ought to be more self-interested in terms of their role in public life.
Word count: 296
Analysis
1. These days entertainers invariably earn higher wages than politicians. 2. In my opinion, this is the result of technological growth in the entertainment industry and it is a positive development because politics should not be a means to amass a fortune.
Paraphrase the overall topic. I wrote a short sentence here – that is fine!
Give your opinion and be 100% clear – don’t sit in the middle. For this one, you must answer both questions and write a paragraph about each.
1. Entertainment is one of the most lucrative industries today largely due to developments in media distribution. 2. Vaudeville actors and musicians in the early 20th century were looked down on and earned little. 3. The birth of cinema in the 1920s and the rise of television in the 1950s allowed entertainers to reach a wider audience. 4. From there the rise has continued not only with the diversification of television but also the invention of CDs, portable music players, the internet, and streaming websites like Netflix and YouTube. 5. All this new media reaches the majority of the world’s population who then pay for the content by subscribing or watching paid advertisements.
Write a clear topic sentence with your main idea at the end of the sentence.
Begin to develop the main idea. Here I start with a comparision to the past.
Make your example specfic and detailed.
List specific details, services, etc. if possible.
Relate it back to your main idea to show how this clearly leads to more money for entertainers.
1. This is a positive development because politics should not be a profit driven profession. 2. A good example of this would be the early American founding founders, including Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, both of whom sacrificed private wealth for public service. 3. Hamilton was the leading lawyer in New York and when he enthusiastically joined Washington’s cabinet he took a drastic cut in salary. 4. By the end of his term, he was mired in debt but had no regrets as he viewed public political action as far more valuable than private capital. 5. Politicians ought to earn a good salary but this should never subvert their chief motive in serving their country.
Another topic sentence with a new main idea to answer the second question.
Make your example more general with the last sentence of your paragraph.
1. In conclusion, entertainers make more money due to the advent of the media age and politicians should not be jealous of their wealth. 2. Unfortunately, many politicians are selfishly compelled by economic gain when they ought to be more self-interested in terms of their role in public life.
Repeat your opinion. This sentence isn’t too important – the next one is more important…
Add in an extra detail or final thought to get full marks for task achievement.
Vocabulary
Try to figure out what the words in bold below mean:
These days entertainers invariably earn higher wages than politicians. In my opinion, this is the result of technological growth in the entertainment industry and it is a positive development because politics should not be a means to amass a fortune.
Entertainment is one of the most lucrative industries today largely due to developments in media distribution. Vaudeville actors and musicians in the early 20th century were looked down on and earned little. The birth of cinema in the 1920s and the rise of television in the 1950s allowed entertainers to reach a wider audience. From there the rise has continued not only with the diversification of television but also the invention of CDs, portable music players, the internet, and streaming websites like Netflix and YouTube. All this new media reaches the majority of the world’s population who then pay for the content by subscribing or watching paid advertisements.
This is a positive development because politics should not be a profit drivenprofession. A good example of this would be the early American founding founders, including Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, both of whom sacrificed private wealth for public service. Hamilton was the leading lawyer in New York and when he enthusiastically joined Washington’s cabinet he took a drastic cut in salary. By the end of his term, he was mired in debt but had no regrets as he viewed public political action as far more valuable than private capital. Politicians ought to earn a good salary but this should never subvert their chief motive in serving their country.
In conclusion, entertainers make more money due to the advent of the media age and politicians should not be jealous of their wealth. Unfortunately, many politicians are selfishly compelled by economic gain when they ought to be more self-interested in terms of their role in public life.
Answers
these days nowadays
invariably always
higher wages good salary
technological growth new technologies
entertainment industry movies, TV, music, etc.
means the method
amass a fortune make a lot of money
lucrative wealthy
largely due to mainly because of
media distribution how movies, music, etc. reach people
vaudeville actors actors in plays/shows from a long time ago
early 20th century early 1900s
looked down on didn’t think highly of
reach a wider audience more people can see it
diversification more variety
portable music players iPods, walkman, mp3 players, etc.
streaming websites Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc.
content programmes
subscribing signing up for and paying monthly/weekly
watching paid advertisements watching ads
profit drivenprofession job just for the money
early American founding founders Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, etc.
Alexander Hamilton the most important founding father
George Washington the first President of the United States
sacrificed private wealth gave up personal money
public service good for all people
leading lawyer best lawyer
enthusiastically happily/with a lot of energy
cabinet advisors
drastic cut lots a lot
term period when you are president/senator
mired in debt owing a lot of money
regrets feeling bad about what you did
public political action efforts to help society/the country
____________ entertainers ____________ earn ____________ than politicians. In my opinion, this is the result of ____________ in the ____________ and it is a positive development because politics should not be a ____________ to ____________.
Entertainment is one of the most ____________ industries today ____________ developments in ____________. ____________ and musicians in the ____________ were ____________ and earned little. The birth of cinema in the 1920s and the rise of television in the 1950s allowed entertainers to ____________. From there the rise has continued not only with the ____________ of television but also the invention of CDs, ____________, the internet, and ____________ like Netflix and YouTube. All this new media reaches the majority of the world’s population who then pay for the ____________ by ____________ or ____________.
This is a positive development because politics should not be a ____________. A good example of this would be the ____________, including ____________ and ____________, both of whom ____________ for ____________. Hamilton was the ____________ in New York and when he ____________ joined Washington’s ____________ he took a ____________ in salary. By the end of his ____________, he was ____________ but had no ____________ as he viewed ____________ as ____________ than ____________ Politicians ought to earn a good salary but this should never ____________ their ____________ in ____________.
In conclusion, entertainers make more money due to the ____________ of the media age and politicians should not be ____________ of their wealth. ____________, many politicians are ____________ by ____________ when they ought to be more ____________ in terms of their ____________.
Before you read my sample answer, you can listen to the audio and make some notes (or don’t look at the graph and try to draw it from my audio):
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Working Pie Charts (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
The given pie charts compare employment sectors in towns A and B in 1960 and 2010. Overall, sales positions became less common in both towns, while manufacturing showed the reverse trend and service jobs decreased in town A but not town B. By 2010, manufacturing supplanted sales as the predominant industry in town A, while in town B sales remained top.
Manufacturing underwent the largest growth going from 29% to an overwhelming 64% in town A and more than doubling from 10% to 25% in town B. For both towns this necessitated a decline in sales positions with town A dropping from 41% to 21% and town B falling from 70% to 53%, albeit still accounting for the majority of jobs.
Services had contrasting trends, though by 2010 this sector employed the lowest proportions for both towns. In town A services nearly halved (30% down to 16%) whereas in town B it rose marginally by 2% to 22%.
Analysis
1. The given pie charts compare employment sectors in towns A and B in 1960 and 2010. 2. Overall, sales positions became less common in both towns, while manufacturing showed the reverse trend and service jobs decreased in town A but not town B. 3. By 2010, manufacturing supplanted sales as the predominant industry in town A, while in town B sales remained top.
Simply paraphrase what the graphs show for your first sentence. Don’t waste much time on this sentence.
Begin your overview – maximum two sentences.
For an overview you must full cover the trend (are the areas going up/down/staying the same) and some of the ranking or speed (which one is highest overall, maybe one of them has increased/decreased a lot). Read more about overviews here.
1. Manufacturing underwent the largest growth going from 29% to an overwhelming 64% in town A and more than doubling from 10% to 25% in town B. 2. For both towns this necessitated a decline in sales positions with town A dropping from 41% to 21% and town B falling from 70% to 53%, albeit still accounting for the majority of jobs.
Begin to describe the data. You must describe all the data in the graphs.
Make sure that you always compare. I divided the paragraphs into sectors with the same trend and then sectors with different trends below.
1. Services had contrasting trends, though by 2010 this sector employed the lowest proportions for both towns. 2. In town A services nearly halved (30% down to 16%) whereas in town B it rose marginally by 2% to 22%.
Make sure that you have clear paragraphs and reasons for them. Here I switch to describe the smallest area which also had a differing trend for the two towns.
Double check to make sure that you have mentioned all data.
Vocabulary
The given pie charts compare employment sectors in towns A and B in 1960 and 2010. Overall, sales positions became less common in both towns, while manufacturing showed the reverse trend and service jobs decreased in town A but not town B. By 2010, manufacturing supplanted sales as the predominant industry in town A, while in town B sales remained top.
Manufacturing underwent the largest growth going from 29% to an overwhelming 64% in town A and more than doubling from 10% to 25% in town B. For both towns this necessitated a decline in sales positions with town A dropping from 41% to 21% and town B falling from 70% to 53%, albeit still accounting for the majority of jobs.
Services had contrasting trends, though by 2010 this sector employed the lowest proportions for both towns. In town A services nearly halved (30% down to 16%) whereas in town B it rose marginally by 2% to 22%.
Answers
compare contrast
sectors areas
positions rankings
showed the reverse trend went in the opposite direction
The given pie charts ___________ employment ___________ in towns A and B in 1960 and 2010. Overall, sales ___________ became less common in both towns, while manufacturing ___________ and service jobs decreased in town A but not town B. By 2010, manufacturing ___________ sales as the ___________ in town A, ___________ in town B sales remained top.
Manufacturing ___________ the largest growth going from 29% to an ___________ 64% in town A and ___________ from 10% to 25% in town B. For both towns this ___________ a decline in sales positions with town A ___________ from 41% to 21% and town B ___________ from 70% to 53%, ___________ still ___________ the ___________ of jobs.
Services had ___________, though by 2010 this sector employed the ___________ for both towns. In town A services ___________ (30% down to 16%) ___________ in town B it ___________ by 2% to 22%.
This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer essay from the real exam/test on the topic of sugary drinks.
It is a two part question that asks you to write about the causes of the problem in one paragraph and the solution in the other (read more about this structure here).
More and more people today are drinking sugar-based drinks.
What are the reasons for this?
What are the solutions?
Real Past IELTS Exams/Tests
Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the concomitant risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening up vulnerable new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more likely to decline as a proportion. This is not the case in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary drinks in the market. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit these facts to fatten their bottom line.
The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately repealed due to corporate lobbying. In its place, many states including New York and California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risks given the higher prices. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. Governments that take firm, unpopular steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
Analysis
1. Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the concomitant risks. 2. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
For your first sentence, paraphrase the overall topic of the essay.
Answer the two questions clearly and you’ll get a good mark for task achievement.
1. Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening up vulnerable new markets. 2. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more likely to decline as a proportion. 3. This is not the case in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. 4. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary drinks in the market. 5. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit these facts to fatten their bottom line.
Write a topic sentence with a clear, single main idea. This question asks for reasons so I give two related reasons so that I can develop them together and get full marks for task achievement.
Begin to develop your main ideas with specific details/examples.
The more specfiic the better – try to use a real country.
Continue with that example.
Draw out the result of your example and conclude the paragraph.
1. The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. 2. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. 3. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately repealed due to corporate lobbying. 4. In its place, many states including New York and California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. 5. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risks given the higher prices. 6. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
Write another topic sentence. Again I give two solutions but they are related so that I can develop them fully.
Use a specific example of a city/country/law (make it up if you have to).
Describe the example in detail and use strong vocabulary.
Continue developing the same example.
State the result to make your example even stronger.
Here I compare it to taxes on cigarettes (this would have also been a good way to start the paragraph).
1. In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. 2. Governments that take firm, unpopular steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
Repeat your answer to the questions.
Add in an extra detail/final thought.
Vocabulary
Try to figure out the words in bold below:
Health experts have warned against a rise in addictions to sugary drinks and the concomitant risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and encroachment in developing markets and the solution is to enact various restrictions.
Over-consumption of sugary drinks can be directly attributed to advertising and opening up vulnerable new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more health conscious and while consumption may increase as a total number, it is more likely to decline as a proportion. This is not the case in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. A burgeoning middle-class in the last two decades coupled with unregulated ad campaigns from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a pandemic of sugary drinks in the market. Consumers now have more disposable income and are generally less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are eager to exploit these facts to fatten their bottom line.
The only proven solutions for any public health crisis are regulation. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the ban on large sugary drinks in New York City. It prohibited only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was ultimately repealed due to corporate lobbying. In its place, many states including New York and California enacted taxes that have driven up the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the associated health risksgiven the higher prices. If federal governments tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the ubiquity of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be curbed through thoughtful regulation. Governments that take firm, unpopular steps towards these reforms will later save money in medical care.
Answers
health experts nutritionists
addictions hooked on
concomitant related/resultant
encroachment moving in on
developing markets opening up business in new countries
enact various restrictions pass regulatory laws
over-consumption have too much
directly attributed to clearly the result of
opening up starting in
vulnerable weak
health conscious care about your health
total number complete amount
proportion percentage
this is not the case this is not the situation
burgeoning growing/starting
coupled with combined with
unregulated ad campaigns no restrictions on advertisements
pandemic spreading across a large area
disposable income money to burn
generally overall
eager excited for
exploit take advantage of
fatten their bottom line make more money
public health crisis health problems for lots of people
regulation law/restriction
ban prohibit
prohibited ban
ultimately repealed in the end reversed
corporate lobbying companies influencing government
in its place instead
driven up increase
associated health risksgiven related health problems considering
_____________ have warned against a rise in _____________ to sugary drinks and the _____________ risks. In my opinion, this is due to both advertising and _____________ in _____________ and the solution is to _____________.
_____________ of sugary drinks can be _____________ advertising and _____________ new markets. In much of the developed world, people are becoming more _____________ and while consumption may increase as a _____________, it is more likely to decline as a _____________. _____________ in the developing world in countries such as Vietnam. A _____________ middle-class in the last two decades __________________________ from Pepsi and Coca Cola have led to a _____________ of sugary drinks in the market. Consumers now have more _____________ and are _____________ less educated about the long-term effects of sugar while companies are _____________ to _____________ these facts to _____________.
The only proven solutions for any _____________ is _____________. One of the most famously successful laws in this area was the _____________ on large sugary drinks in New York City. It _____________ only the largest sizes but had a large impact before it was _____________ due to _____________. _____________, many states including New York and California _____________ that have _____________ the cost of sugar-heavy drinks. The result is that fewer people are willing to take on the _____________ the higher prices. If _____________ tax these drinks similarly to cigarettes, then their popularity will decline even faster.
In conclusion, the _____________ of sugary drinks is down to exploitation of developing nations and can be _____________ through _____________ regulation. Governments that take _____________, _____________ towards these _____________ will later save money in _____________.
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Review the topic with a video from one of my favourite channels, ASAP Science:
And you can learn more about my Patreon resources here.
Good luck on your exam!
-Dave
Before you read my answer, you can listen to it first to practice your listenin – make sure you take some notes:
IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training Letter: Letter to an Editor (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)
Write a letter to the editor to give your opinion about a magazine that you purchased. Include
Why you bought it
What you liked and disliked about it
Suggestions for improvement
Reported IELTS Exam/Test on February 1st
Dear editor,
I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my local newsstand and I’m writing to give you some background and feedback. I’m not a professional gardener but I have a keen interest in the field. I retired from my job as a production assistant 2 years ago and gardening has become my daily pursuit.
I really appreciate your in-depth step-by-step tutorials for everyday gardening techniques. The visuals on them, and throughout the magazine, are stunning and inspirational for home gardeners. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend fixes for: first, the magazine is too short. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. Just looking at the first article from the last edition, I can spot 8 mistakes.
To round out your magazine I would recommend hiring a new editor or better supervising them to ensure they are thorough. As for the length of the magazine, have you considered a bi-monthly format? I hope that demand would justify this. I would surely read it!
Thanks for hearing me out,
Dave
Word count: 193
Analysis
1. Dear editor,
2. I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my local newsstand and I’m writing to give you some background and feedback. 3. I’m not a professional gardener but I have a keen interest in the field. 4. I retired from my job as a production assistant 2 years ago and gardening has become my daily pursuit.
Write dear at the beginning of formal letters and sometimes for informal letters.
State your purpose for writing. Don’t waste any time getting to it.
Add more detail.
More detail – the more detail for each point, the higher your task achievement score. Aim for 3 details for each point.
1. I really appreciate your in-depth step-by-step tutorials for everyday gardening techniques. 2. The visuals on them, and throughout the magazine, are stunning and inspirational for home gardeners. 3. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend fixes for: first, the magazine is too short. 4. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. 5. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. 6. Just looking at the first article from the last edition, I can spot 8 mistakes.
Begin to detail the second point – here it is what I like/don’t like about the magazine.
I develop the point before moving on to what I don’t like.
Move on to the areas that you don’t like.
I include two areas I don’t like but you could just include one and develop it more fully.
Be as specific as possible.
The more development – the better!
1. To round out your magazine I would recommend hiring a new editor or better supervising them to ensure they are thorough. 2. As for the length of the magazine, have you considered a bi-monthly format? 3. I hope that demand would justify this. 4. I would surely read it!
Address the last point – suggestions.
Make sure that you have at least 1 suggestion to fully answer that point.
Here I put in some strong vocabulary and finish developing my point.
Some informality towards the end in a letter to an editor is fine.
1. Thanks for hearing me out,
2. Dave
Conclude with ‘sincerely’ ‘regards’ or a short phrase like ‘thanks for hearing me out.’
Write your name – real or fake is ok!
Vocabulary
Try to figure out what the words in below mean based on the sentences:
Dear editor,
I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my local newsstand and I’m writing to give you some background and feedback. I’m not a professional gardener but I have a keen interest in the field. I retired from my job as a production assistant 2 years ago and gardening has become my daily pursuit.
I really appreciate your in-depth step-by-step tutorials for everyday gardening techniques. The visuals on them, and throughout the magazine, are stunning and inspirational for home gardeners. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend fixes for: first, the magazine is too short. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. Just looking at the first article from the last edition, I can spot 8 mistakes.
To round out your magazine I would recommend hiring a new editor or better supervising them to ensure they are thorough. As for the length of the magazine, have you considered a bi-monthly format? I hope that demand would justify this. I would surely read it!
Thanks for hearing me out,
Dave
Answers
local newsstand neighborhood shop
background reason for writing
feedback criticism
professional gardener seriously care about your garden
keen interest really into
field area/hobby
production assistant someone who helps on movies or other productions
I recently purchased a copy of Gardening Monthly from my _____________ and I’m writing to give you some _____________ and _____________. I’m not a _____________ but I have a _____________ in the the _____________. I retired from my job as a _____________ 2 years ago and gardening has become my _____________.
I really _____________ your __________________________ for _____________. The _____________ on them, and _____________ the magazine, are _____________ and _____________ for _____________. There are just a couple of areas I would recommend _____________ for: first, the magazine is too short. It only comes out once a month and a 20 page magazine is not long enough. Also, your writers make a lot of grammatical mistakes. Just looking at the first article from the last _____________, I can _____________ 8 mistakes.
To _____________ your magazine I would recommend _____________ a new editor or _____________ them to _____________ they are _____________. As for the length of the magazine, have you _____________ a __________________________? I hope that _____________ would _____________ this. I would _____________ read it!
Thanks for _____________,
Dave
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Some of these magazines could be useful as examples on your IELTS exam:
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