IELTS Cambridge 20 is now out – it contains real past tests and is the newest edition of the book in 2025.

Here are all the sample answers for the writing topics:

Task 1

Task 2

Below is my full guide including sample essays and tips about how to use the book efficiently and effectively.

Consider supporting my efforts to write these essays by signing up for my exclusive IELTS Ebooks here on Patreon.

Dave

Practice Tests ≠ Practice

Taking test after test is just that: testing.
It’s like weighing yourself every day and expecting to lose weight – the scale might go up or down, but nothing changes unless you actually do the work.

That’s what most students get wrong. They think doing more tests = more progress.

But practice tests only show you where you are – they don’t help you improve.

If you finish all four tests in the book without reflecting, analyzing, or practicing productively, then you’re not studying IELTS – you’re just taking it again and again.

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How to Use Cambridge IELTS 20 Properly (So It Actually Helps You)

Here are 6 smart strategies to make the most of the book:

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1. ✅ Be Active – Not Passive

When you do the Listening and Reading sections, don’t just check your score and move on.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Why was that the right answer?
• Why did I get that wrong?
• Did I misunderstand a word or get tricked by a distractor?

Write notes next to each question or keep a mistake journal.

This is how you learn from the tests – not just take them.

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2. 🎧 Use the Tapescripts (They’re Gold)

At the back of the book, you’ll find full Listening tapescripts.

Most students ignore them. Big mistake.

The tapescripts are your best friend.

Use them to:

• Check what exactly was said and how it connects to the answer.
• Highlight unknown words or phrases.
• Notice how synonyms and paraphrasing are used.

Pro tip: Try shadowing the audio (repeating what you hear out loud) to improve pronunciation and fluency too.

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3. ✍️ Practice Writing & Speaking Multiple Times

You don’t have to do a test under timed conditions every time.

Instead, take the Writing Task 1 or 2 prompts and…

• Write multiple versions of your answer.
• Compare different ways to organize your ideas.
• Try improving vocabulary and grammar each time.

Same with Speaking:

• Record yourself answering the Speaking questions.
• Try it again with better fluency or more natural language.
• Compare yourself with band 8/9 samples.

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4. 🕒 Track Your Productive vs. Receptive Practice

Most students spend 90% of their time on passive skills like Listening and Reading.

But IELTS has four skills – and productive skills (Writing and Speaking) are harder, so they get neglected.

Be honest – how many hours have you spent writing essays this week?

Start logging your hours:

• Listening: 2 hrs
• Reading: 1.5 hrs
• Writing: 30 mins
• Speaking: 10 mins

If your productive practice is way behind, adjust your schedule. You won’t magically get better at Writing and Speaking if you avoid them.

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5. 📺 Supplement With Real English

Cambridge IELTS 20 is great – but it’s still test material.

To truly improve your vocabulary, grammar, and fluency, you need real English input from real life.

Mix in:

• YouTube videos (TED-Ed, BBC Learning English, Kurzgesagt, etc.)
• Netflix shows (with or without subtitles)
• News articles, podcasts, blogs

This makes English feel more natural – and less like a test.

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6. 📝 Review with My Sample Answers

Want to see how a band 8+ candidate would write or speak?

Check out my sample answers for every Writing Task 1 and Task 2 in Cambridge 20. Use them to:

• Compare structure and vocabulary.
• Notice how ideas are developed clearly.
• See real examples of coherence, cohesion, and paraphrasing.

Task 1

Task 2

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Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about IELTS, don’t treat Cambridge 20 like just another testing machine.

Use it as a learning tool, not just a measuring stick.

Be reflective. Be strategic. And most of all, be productive.

Now go open the book – but do it the smart way. 💪

Simple Steps for Using IELTS Cambridge 13 to Test your English

1. Start with the listening test. Do the listening test fully but don’t check your answers! Read the tapescript carefully after you finish and underline the distractors and paraphrases. This way you learn about how IELTS listening works.

2. Do the reading test. When you check your answers, figure out the reason why you got each one wrong. Because of a paraphrase? Because of vocabulary? Grammar? This way you can improve your weaknesses.

3. Do the writing tests. Time yourself and be strict. Read my samples answers for task 1 and task 2 writing.

4. Practice doing the speaking test yourself or with a partner. If you have a friend who can help, try to do a mock speaking test that feels like the real test. Read here about what will really happen in your IELTS speaking test.

Simple Steps for Using IELTS Cambridge 13 to Improve your English

1. Start with a listening test but don’t do the full test. Just listen to part 1. Listen to it at least 3 times. Repeat this for every part of the test. Read here about how this will improve your listening. Again, check your answers with the tapescript and try to figure out why you got each answer wrong. Usually it will be because of vocabulary – so learn more vocab!

2. Do the reading test. Don’t worry so much about the timing. Review the basic reading steps here and afterwards check why you got each answer wrong.

3. Do both writing tests but don’t worry about the timing. After you finish you can compare with my sample answers and do the practice activities for task 1 and task 2. The next day, do the same sample answer again but try to improve your ideas, vocabulary, and grammar. Keep doing this until you are happy with your writing.

4. Do the practice speaking test by yourself or with a friend/teacher. Don’t move on to a new test. Keep learning new vocabulary related to the same topics and od the test over and over again. If you get bored, try varying or writing slightly new questions related to the questions. Don’t try to give exactly the same answer each time. Vary it a little bit so that your speaking doesn’t become too robotic.

If you have any questions about the book, you can comment them below and I will reply as soon as possible!