IELTS Letter Topics Formal

1. Asking for Information You live in an English speaking country and you want to do some voluntary, unpaid work in a developing country. Write a letter to a company called Cultural Expeditions, which organizes such trips. In your letter: Explain why you want to do the voluntary work. State what your skills and experience are. Indicate where you would like to volunteer and for how long. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 2. Applying for a Job You have decided to apply for a job as a Spanish instructor that was advertised in the April edition of the magazine Teaching Professional. This ad was posted by Mr John Sullivan, director of the Spanish department at The Language Institute of Great Britain in London, England. In your letter to Mr Sullivan: explain why you are writing describe your qualifications and experience explain how they can contact you Write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Kaplan IELTS 2009-2010 ) 3. Making Suggestions You eat at your college cafeteria every lunchtime. However, you think it needs some improvements. Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter: explain what you like bout the cafeteria say what is wrong suggest how it could be improved Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Instant IELTS by Guy Brook-Hart) 4. Applying for a Job You are looking for a part-time job. Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter: introduce yourself explain what sort of job you would like say what experience and skills you have Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Instant IELTS by Guy Brook-Hart) 5. Complaining to a Bank You have received a letter from your bank, asking you to acknowledge receipt of a new bank card. However, the card was missing from the envelope. Write a letter to the bank's head office. In your letter: explain why you are writing express concern about the missing card ask them what they intend to do Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________, You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Action Plan for IELTS by Vanessa Jakeman and Clare McDowell)

IELTS Letter Topics Semi-Formal

1. Arranging Accommodation You are being sent on a one month work assignment in San Francisco, California. You need a place to stay while you are there. Write a letter to the Maury Samson Real Estate Agency. In your letter: explain the situation describe the kind of accommodation you would like provide the dates you will need it Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr Samson, You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 2. Asking for Permission You are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event. Write a letter to your supervisor. In your letter: Request time off Explain why you need to leave early Reassure him / her that your studies will not suffer Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms _______ (Question taken from Action Plan for IELTS ) 3. Complaining to a Landlord You have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently a new neighbour moved in who has loud parties several times a week. Write a letter complaining about this to the landlord. In your letter: explain the situation describe why it bothers you suggest a solution Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms _____________, You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 4. Making a Suggestion You exercise regularly and have been a member of many different gyms. Recently, you moved into a new neighborhood and joined a new gym. You have noticed that people at this gym do not bother to wipe down the machines after use and often leave dirty towels on the benches in the change rooms. Write to Mr Koto, the manager. In your letter: explain who you are describe the problem exactly make suggestions to improve the gym Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr Koto, You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 5. Booking Accommodation You are going to take a short holiday in Singapore and you want to rent a holiday apartment while you are there. Write to the tourist information office. In your letter: explain what you need say when you plan to be there ask for information about prices Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms __________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 6. Explaining to a Neighbour You are having a graduation party next Saturday night. You have invited 50 people to celebrate at an outdoor barbecue evening, which may continue into late into the night. Write a letter to your elderly neighbour. In your letter: explain what will be happening

 offer your apologies in advance invite her to join the celebration Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms _________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 7. Asking for permission You are supposed to hand in a mid-term project for your psychology class by November 1st. However, your brother is getting married in Hawaii at the same time and the entire family is traveling there for the occasion. You would like an extension on the due date for submitting the project. Write to your professor. In your letter: explain the situation remind the professor of your fine academic record to date ask for an extension of the due date Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 8. Making a Suggestion You live in a high-rise building, which has a communal laundry room. There are many washers and dryers there, but even more residents. Sometimes people don't come in time to empty the machines and other residents have to wait for a washer or dryer. You think the building management should purchase 10 extra laundry baskets and make them available for such times, so the machines can be freed up. Write to the Property Manager, Mrs Williams. In your letter: explain how long you have been a resident describe the problem propose your solution Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mrs Williams You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 9. Asking for Permission You have received a job offer for a position you have wanted for a long time. You are expected to start on July 1st. However, you can only start a week later due to personal reasons. Write a letter to Mr Jackson, your new boss. In your letter: show your enthusiasm for the job offer explain the problem suggest what you can do Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr Jackson, You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

IELTS Letter Topics Informal

1. Inviting a friend You are studying English at a private language school attended by many international students. You are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend who has been feeling particularly sad and homesick. Write to another classmate and invite him / her to the party. In your letter: explain the reason for the party give the date and time of the party suggest what the classmate could bring to the party Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 2. Advising a friend about a holiday An English-speaking friend wants to spend a two-week holiday in your region and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: offer to find somewhere to stay

 give advice about what to do give information about what clothes to bring Begin your letter as follows: Dear _______ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Instant IELTS by Guy Brook-Hart) 3. Apologizing to a friend You borrowed an important textbook from a classmate last term. You now realize your classmate had returned home overseas and you still have the book. Write a letter to to him / her. In your letter: apologize for the mistake find out how important the book is to him / her say what you will do Begin your letter as follows: Dear _____________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Action Plan for IELTS by Vanessa Jakeman and Clare McDowell) 4. Thanking a friend for a holiday You have recently been to stay with an old friend for a few days. You hadn't seen each other for a long time. Write a letter to the friend. In your letter: say how you felt about the visit refer to something enjoyable that you did while staying with him / her invite your friend to visit you Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Action Plan for IELTS by Vanessa Jakeman and Clare McDowell) 5. Advising a friend about work An English-speaking friend is coming to study in your town next year and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: Offer to find a place for him / her to live Give advice about how to find a part-time job Give information on where he / she can learn your language Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. (Question taken from Instant IELTS by Guy Brook-Hart) 6. Forgetting something at a friend's You stayed at your friend's house when you participated in a conference in Australia. You left a briefcase with important documents in your room. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter: thank your friend for the stay describe the briefcase ask him/her to return it to you by post Begin your letter as follows: Dear _________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 7. Reminding a Friend A year ago, you lent your favorite book to a friend who you thought would enjoy it. Unfortunately, your friend has forgotten to return it. The book has sentimental value to you as it had been presented by your grandmother. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter: ask how he or she is doing remind him / her about the book explain why you need it back Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

8. Congratulating a Friend Your best friend just had her first baby. You are currently overseas but will be returning to your hometown in a week. Write to your friend. In your letter: congratulate your friend tell her when you will be returning home ask when you could drop in to meet her and the baby Begin your letter as follows: Dear _________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 9. Requesting Help Your parents will be celebrating their 40th anniversary next month. You are planning a big celebration, but you are not sure how to make the occasion really memorable. Write to your best friend, Joan, who is a professional event planner. In your letter: explain why the occasion is special ask for her assistance set up a time to meet at your friend's convenience to discuss your plans Begin your letter as follows: Dear Joan, You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. 10. Admitting a Mistake You attended an old friend's wedding in another city, about 3 hours away, a week ago. It was an outdoor wedding held on a rainy day and you had taken along a rather expensive, elegant umbrella. When you returned, you were tired and went straight to bed. You had a very busy week.This weekend, when it started to rain, you realized you had the wrong umbrella. You must have taken someone else's umbrella, which was very similar to your own, when leaving the wedding reception. Write to your friend who got married. In your letter: congratulate him / her on the beautiful wedding explain the situation ask how you can return this umbrella and locate your own Begin your letter as follows: Dear Joan __________ You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Free IELTS Writing Sample Letters

In Task 1 of the IELTS General Writingsection, you must write a letter about a given situation. This letter will be one of the following types: Style Formal Characteristics To someone you have not met, whose name you don't know Opening Dear Sir / Madam Dear Mr Brown, Dear Ms Stone Ending Yours faithfully

Semiformal

To someone you may or may not have met, whose last name you know & use

Yours sincerely

Informal

To someone you know well, whose first name you know and use

Dear John Dear Anita

Best regards Warm wishes

Each kind of letter requires a different style of writing, a specific beginning and ending salutation, formal or informal expressions and varying types of grammatical forms. As you read through the sample IELTS letters below, take note of how they vary depending on

the level of familiarity with the person being written to. Practice writing your own letters from sample letter topics, until you can produce all three kinds of letters easily and quickly. Then, you will be able to complete this task effectively and easily on the day of your IELTS exam. Also, every General IELTS Writing Task 1 includes three bulleted points which you need to mention in your letter. Make sure you include these three points or else you will not get high marks, no matter how well you write. GENERAL IELTS WRITING TASK 1 SAMPLE LETTERS

Free Sample IELTS Letter 001 - Complaining to a Hotel

Below is a sample letter response to Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is a formal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is official, business-like and serious the use of Dear Sir / Madam the absence of contractions the use of formal expressions (I am writing in connection with...) the closing salutation ( "Yours faithfully" instead of the more informal "Yours sincerely" or "Best regards")

GENERAL WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You recently stayed in a hotel in a large city. The weather was very unusual for the time of year and the heating / cooling system in the hotel was quite inadequate. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter: give details of what went wrong explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time say what action you would like the manager to take You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your own address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________ Dear Sir / Madam I am writing in connection with my recent stay at the Four Seasons in London, England. Unfortunately, due to a malfunctioning heater in my room, I spent three miserable nights at your hotel from April 26 29, 2010. When I arrived in London, there was an unexpected snowstorm. I understand it does not usually snow inApril; however, when I got to my room, there was no heat. After complaining, a technician was sent up, who informed me they had to install a new heating unit. When I asked to be moved to another room, I was told the hotel was completely booked. Unfortunately, each night after work I returned to discover the problem had not been rectified. Eventually, I spent three horribly uncomfortable nights, wearing my coat to bed, wearing socks around the room and ending up with a bad cold from the unheated room. I had no time to complain as I had to catch a flight home right after my conference. I am shocked by this terrible service. This is not what anyone expects for $400 a night! To compensate me for this tremendous inconvenience, I ask that you refund my money right away and offer me a free, more comfortable stay in one of your finer suites in the future. If not, I am prepared to take my complaint to a higher authority. I look forward to hearing from you at the earliest, Yours faithfully, Mr John McFee (236 words)

Free Sample IELTS Letter 002 - Explaining to a Bank

Below is a sample letter response to Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is a formal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is formal and business-like and serious the use of Dear Sir / Madam the absence of contractions the use of formal expressions ("Thank you kindly in advance.") the closing salutation ( "Yours faithfully", etc.)

GENERAL WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You have received a letter from your bank, asking you to acknowledge receipt of a new bank card. However, the card was missing from the envelope. Write a letter to the bank's head office. In your letter: explain why you are writing express concern about the missing card ask them what they intend to do Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________

Dear Sir / Madam I am writing in connection with a missing or stolen debit card from your bank. This is an urgent matter as the bank card could prove dangerous in the hands of the wrong person. Just yesterday, I received a letter from your bank's head office. It stated that my new bank card was enclosed and asked me to acknowledge receipt. However, when the envelope arrived in my mailbox, it was in a tattered state. More importantly, the debit card which was supposed to be included, was missing. I checked and rechecked around the mailbox, but found nothing. I am concerned that someone has gone through my mail and possibly stolen the card. For this reason I request that you cancel the existing debit card immediately. The debit card in question is related to my account number 64729401 at your Bay and Bloor branch. After it has been cancelled, please arrange to send me a new one, as I need to travel overseas next week and will need to carry the new bank card with me. Thank you kindly in advance, Yours faithfully, Ms Brenda Holster (172 words)

Free Sample IELTS Letter 003 - Making Recommendations to a Magazine

Below is a sample letter response for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is a formal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is straightforward and direct the use of Dear Sir / Madam the absence of contractions

the use of formal expressions ("I am writing in connection with...") the closing salutation ( "Yours faithfully", etc.)

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You eat at your college cafeteria at lunch time every day.. However, you think it needs some improvements. Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter: explain what you like about the cafeteria say what is wrong with it suggest how it could be improved Write at least 150 words. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________ Dear Sir / Madam I am writing in connection with our college cafeteria. Since almost every student spends some time here every day, I believe it is in everyone's best interest to find ways to improve the quality of this central eatery. The cafeteria itself is modern, spacious and attractive. The newly painted murals of the seaside give the seating area an open, airy, outdoor feeling which makes it very pleasant to eat meals there. This is further enhanced by the large green plants and flowing water fountains. The main problem with the cafeteria is in the food served! First of all, there is a very limited selection available. Each day offers up only standard North American fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and french fries. Not only is this selection unhealthy, but also uninteresting day in and day out. We have so many international students on campus, it would be wonderful to have some curries, burritos and falafel added to the menu. Secondly, since this is a student cafeteria, prices need to stay low. We have unfortunately seen two price hikes in the last two years. I am sure if we offer a wider range of foods, at better prices, the cafeteria will continue to run profitably as more students choose to eat there. Yours faithfully, Daniel Bernard

Free Sample IELTS Letter 004 - Requesting a Letter of Reference

Below is a sample letter for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is asemiformal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is a mix of politeness and warmth the use of the last names (Dear Mrs Sweeney) the absence of contractions the use of formal expressions (I would appreciate it if...) the closing salutation (Yours sincerely)

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at school. Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference. In your letter: say what job you have applied for explain why you want this job suggest what information the teacher should include

Write at least 150 words. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________ Dear Mrs Sweeney How are you? I hope everything is fine at the school and that you have been well. I still remember the dynamic way in which you taught grammar to me and all of the teacher trainees in your English class. Thanks again for those important lessons. I am writing in connection with a letter of reference that I need for a job that I have applied for recently. As I am due to graduate next month, I have applied for a position as an ESL teacher at a private language school in Tokyo, Japan. You might remember my telling you how very much I looked forward to teaching and traveling around the world. Now I have the chance. I am confident that I can make a difference in the lives of students who need to learn English. In the letter of reference, I would appreciate it if you could include information related to my trustworthiness, my enthusiasm and my cross-cultural awareness while in teacher training college. As the job is in Japan, they do not have the chance to interview me and will base their decision largely on my letters of reference. I would need to have the letter in two weeks, by July 1st. Thank you kindly in advance, Yours sincerely, Grace Smith

Free Sample IELTS Letter 005 - Requesting Accommodation

Below is a sample letter for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is asemiformal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is a mix of formality plus warmth the use of the last names (Dear Ms Walker) the absence of contractions the use of formal expressions (I would appreciate it if...) the closing salutation (Yours sincerely)

WRITING TASK 1

You are going on a short training course at a college in Sydney, Australia. You need somewhere to live while you are there. Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In your letter: Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In your letter: explain your situation describe the accommodation you require say when you will need it Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________

Dear Mrs Walker I am writing in connection with my upcoming training course at your college in Sydney, Australia. I will be there to attend the Brain- Based Learning program at Victoria College for a period of three weeks from July 2st to July 22st, 2010. I am hoping that you will be able to assist me with my accommodation arrangements.

As I am slightly older than most of the other participants, I would appreciate it if you could find a private studio apartment for me, close to the college. It would be ideal if I could walk to school each day, but if not, I would need access to public transportation. I understand some of the events on campus finish quite late so I would prefer not to walk in an unfamiliar neighbourhood after dark. In terms of the apartment, all I require is a bed, a desk, a TV, an Internet connection, a kitchen and a bathroom. My budget is around US $1000 for 3 weeks. As I will be arriving on July 1st, I would need the apartment to be available from that night until the day of my departure, which is July 23rd. My last night in the apartment would be July 22nd. Please let me know if you are able to find such an apartment and if not, please suggest other suitable arrangements. I look forward to hearing from you, Yours sincerely, Jane Goodwin (236 words)

Free Sample IELTS Letter 006 - Complaining to a Landlord

Below is a sample letter for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is asemiformal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is a mix of formality plus warmth the use of the last names (Dear Mr Shah) the absence of contractions the use of formal expressions (I would appreciate it if...) the closing salutation (Yours sincerely)

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently a new neighbour moved in and has been making a lot of noise, which disturbs you. Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter: explain the situation describe why it bothers you suggest a solution Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________

Dear Mr Shah I hope you and your family are all well. I am writing in connection with a problem I have with the new tenant, Jack, who has moved in downstairs. Unfortunately, his habits and needs appear to be quite different from my own. The issue is that Jack is a professional musician who plays his electric guitar late into the night. I understand he is in a band and needs to practice; however, I think he cannot do so in a residential building such as ours. As I mentioned to you when I signed the lease to the apartment, I am a full-time writer who works from home. For me, it is essential to have silence so I can concentrate on my work. With Jack playing at all hours, I have been unable to get any of my writing done, except when he is out. In some cases, I have even been forced to leave the apartment and work at a nearby coffee shop or library as the guitar playing was causing such a disturbance.

I would appreciate it if you could speak to Jack and ask him to turn down the volume on his guitar or else to use headphones. I have spoken to him about it, but to no avail. I will let you know as soon as the situation improves. Thank you kindly in advance and please give my best regards to your family, Yours sincerely, Meg Snyder (234 words)

Free Sample IELTS Letter 007 - Thanking & Inviting a Friend

Below is a sample letter for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is aninformal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is warm, easy-going and conversational the use of first names (Ajay, Sunita, Carol) the use of contractions (I've, don't, can't) the use of informal expressions ("Thanks", instead of "Thank you") the closing salutation ( "Warm wishes", instead of the more formal "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully")

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday. Write a letter to your friends. In your letter: thank them for the photos and for the holiday explain why you didn't write earlier invite them to come and stay with you Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________

Dear Ajay and Sunita, Thanks so much for your kind letter and the lovely photos of my holiday in Mumbai. Sorry for the delay in acknowledging your mail, but your package arrived just as I was about to leave town on a business trip. I've just returned to Toronto today. Looking at the photos brings back so many happy memories of the times we spent together and the wonderful hospitality you extended to me. I felt completely pampered by both of you! You surrounded me with warm friends, good food, amazing sights, great shopping, unforgettable cultural events and laughter-filled evenings. I would have been lost without you. I can't thank you enough. These good memories gave me an idea. I know you've always wanted to visit Canada. Why don't you plan a holiday and stay with me this summer? The weather is great at that time of year, all tourist sites are open and I could take two weeks off from work. Aside from seeing Toronto, we could drive to Niagara Falls, Thousand Islands, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City. I would be thrilled if you could make it. Thank you both again for the beautiful holiday and the photos which are already up on my wall. Now, I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Warm wishes, Carol

(216 words)

Free Sample IELTS Letter 008 - Describing a New Job

Below is a sample letter for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is aninformal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is warm, friendly and conversational the use of first names (Eva, Brenda) the use of contractions (you've, wasn't) the use of informal expressions ("Sorry, but...", "how about you?") the closing salutation ( "Warm wishes", instead of the more formal "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully")

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You have recently started work in a new company. Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter, explain why you changed jobs describe your new job tell him / her your other news Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________,

Dear Eva, How are you? I hope you've been well. Sorry for having been out of touch for a short while. There have been some changes in my life and I wanted to let you know the latest from my side. The big news is that I have finally changed my job! Do you remember when you were here on holiday, I always talked about how I hated my boring bank job? Well, it was clear I needed a change. So, finally, I took a part-time TESL course and trained to be an ESL teacher. Now I'm working full-time in a private language school. I teach General English, Business English and IELTS. Each day, I look forward to going to work. My students come from all over the world and I love teaching them as well as learning from them. Aside from that, I also moved to a new apartment near the school where I work. It's small, but downtown, so I am right in the heart of the city, instead of way out in the suburbs. Suddenly, there's so many fun things to do, in the evenings too. I am a much happier person today because of these recent changes. So, how about you? I hope you'll have a chance to visit Canada again soon. In the meantime, please write and let me know what's new with you. Warm wishes Kim (226 words)

Free Sample IELTS Letter 009 - Advising a Friend

Below is a sample letter for Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is aninformal letter, which can be identified in several ways: the tone, which is very warm, personal and friendly the use of first names ( Julie, Irene) the use of contractions (I'm, you're, can't) the use of informal expressions (Thanks, Write soon) the closing salutation ( Warm wishes, instead of the more formal "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully")

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. An English-speaking friend wants to spend a two-week holiday in your region and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, offer to find somewhere to stay give advice about what to do give information about what clothes to bring Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________,

Dear Julie Thanks so much for your latest letter. I'm really excited to hear that you're planning to visit Toronto. It will give me a chance to take you around, as you did so kindly for me when I was in Amsterdam last year. Regarding your visit, I would be happy to help in any way possible. First, unless you really like freezing weather, I suggest you come in the summer months of July or August. Though most hotels are expensive at that time, we have some wonderful guest suites available in our high-rise building, for only about $50 per night. They are fully furnished studio apartments, with a kitchen, so you can have the option of eating in. Just let me know your dates and I can make a reservation for you. Summer is also the time when all the tourist sites are open. We can visit Centre Island, Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Science Centre and Thousand Islands. The weather should be warm and comfortable, around 25 30 degrees Celsius, so bring your informal summer clothes, a swinsuit and an umbrella too. We do get summer showers quite often. I can't wait for you to come! Write soon with more details, Warm wishes Irene (207 words)

IELTS Letter Writing Tips 10 Ways to Get Higher Marks on the IELTS Letter Writing Task
1. Identify the type of letter you are being asked to write. Is it a formal, semi-formal or informal letter? The entire tone of your letter is based on your answer to this question. Adjust your style and choice of words according to the type of letter you have been asked to write. 2. Open and close the letter correctly.Remember that each type of letter requires a different opening and closing. The chart below will help you remember this: Style Characteristics To someone you have not met, whose name you don't know To someone you may or may not have met, whose last name you know & use To someone you know well, whose first name you know and use Opening Ending

Formal

Dear Sir / Madam

Yours faithfully

Semiformal

Dear Mr Brown, Dear Ms Stone

Yours sincerely

Informal

Dear John Dear Anita

Best regards Warm wishes

3. Open a formal and semi-formal letter with a formal sentence. Don't try to be friendly, as you do not know the person you are writing to. Get right down to business and indicate the reason you are writing, as shown below: Dear Sir / Madam, I am writing to inquire about / I am writing in connection with... Dear Mr Jones, I am writing to inform you ... / I am writing in connection with... 4. Open an informal letter with a general, friendly paragraph. With friends whom we know, we care about the whole person. We have a broader relationship in the context of which this communication is taking place. So it is best to acknowledge that friendship first, before getting down to the reason for your letter. In fact, the first paragraph could be purely friendly small talk, unrelated to the reason for your writing. Look at the example below: Dear Jane I hope you and your family are all well. It was such a pleasure to see you again last summer. We sure had a great time catching up with each other after so many years. You have always been a cherished friend, no matter how much of a gap there has been since we met. Anyway, the reason I'm writing is that I have some good news - I am getting married this summer...

5. Identify the main purpose of the letter. Are you asking for help, apologizing, inviting someone, complaining or thanking someone? Learn appropriate and polite expressions that will support what you need to say. 6. Learn and use standard written phrases. Students sometimes struggle to finish their writing in time. This happens when you are trying to write every sentence from scratch. The fact is, in conventional letter writing in English, we use a number of standard expressions and phrases and add on to them the specific information we wish to communicate. By learning how to use these expressions, you will find the letter writing task much easier and will never have to fight for time. 7. Make sure you write at least 150 words. Practice writing letters till you know what 150 words feels like and looks like. You will lose marks if you write less. You will not lose marks if you write more; the only restriction on writing more is in terms of time, not the number of words. 8. Learn the correct spelling of commonly used words. It is surprising how many IELTS students make a mistake when spelling words such as "sincerely", "faithfully", "in connection with" and so on. You can prevent yourself from losing marks by learning the correct spelling of these words and expressions which you are highly likely to use on your exam. 9. Stay on topic. In order to complete your letter within 20 minutes or less, practice writing letters where you stick to the point. The General IELTS Task 1 does require you to make up a bit of a story to complete your letter, but don't make your story so complicated that you run out of time. 10. Include all three bulleted points. If you exclude even one of the points given to you in the question prompt, you will lose valuable marks. Practice writing letters that include the three points and go back and check that you have included them in each practice exercise you do.

IELTS Letter Writing - Useful Words & Expressions

To complete your IELTS letter writing task within 20 minutes, it is helpful to know some common phrases and set expressions. Being able to use these will allow you to express your ideas quickly and effectively, without thinking about each and every word. While you're learning their meaning, also make sure you can spell them perfectly. Finally, try the quiz at the bottom of the page to see how well you know these important expression.

Apologizing
I'm sorry about... I am sorry that... I'm very sorry about... I'm very sorry for... Please forgive me for... I'd like to apologize for... Please accept my apologies. Please accept my sincere apologies. (very formal)

Asking for Help

I'd be grateful if you could... I would be grateful if you could... I would appreciate it if you could... Could you please... I was wondering of you could help me.(informal) I would like to know...

Asking for Information

I am writing to enquire about... I am writing to find out about...

What I am looking for is... I would like to know about/if...

Closing
I look forward to seeing you. I look forward to hearing from you. I look forward to meeting you. Complaining / expressing dissatisfaction I'm writing to express my dissatisfaction with... I'm writing to express my annoyance with... I am not happy about... ...was very disappointing. Conveying regards Please give my best regards to your family. Please pass on my best wishes to your wife and children. Please give my regards to your parents. Expressing satisfaction I was delighted to hear that... I was very happy to learn that... I was thrilled to find out that... I was glad to hear that... ...was very enjoyable. Expressing concern / sympathy I was sorry to hear about... (your accident/ illness) I am writing to express my concern about... Giving bad news I regret to inform you that...(semi-formal) I am sorry to tell you that...(informal) I regret to advise you that...(formal) I am afraid I have some bad news.(informal) Giving good news I am pleased to inform you that...(semi-formal) I am delighted to tell you that...(informal) I am happy to advise you that...(formal) I thought you might like to know that... Giving reasons This is because... This is because of... This is due to... (formal) This is as a result of...(formal) This is owing to...(formal) Making suggestions Would it be a good idea to... Perhaps it would be a good idea to... Thanking Thanks. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you kindly. I can't thank you enough. No words can express my gratitude. I am extremely grateful for... I very much appreciate your ______ing

QUIZ Match the following: 1. Thank you kindly. 2. I am pleased to inform you that... 3. Please give my best wishes to... 4. This is due to... 5. I look forward to hearing from you. 6. I would like to know... 7. I'd like to apologize for... 8. I regret to inform you... a. Apologizing b. Conveying regards c. Giving bad news d. Giving reasons e. Closing f. Thanking g. Giving good news h. Asking for information Answers: 1-f, 2-g, 3-b. 4-d, 5-e, 6-h, 7-a, 8-c

IELTS Writing Key Words & Expressions

By learning to use common phrases and set expressions, you can add variety and interest to your writing. You will also be able to write more quickly and effectively during exams, when time is limited. Of course, you won't need to use all of the expressions on the IELTS . Ideally, you should be comfortable using at least three or four expressions from each group below, so they come to mind easily during the IELTS. It is also helpful to have someone call them out so you can test your spelling. Unfortunately, students sometimes make spelling errors even in these commonly occurring expressions. Practice sufficiently so you don't lose points unnecessarily on something that's within your control. KEY WORDS for IELTS WRITING Stating Your Opinion In my opinion, In my view, From my point of view, It seems to me that From my perspective It appears that I realize According to me, To me, I think I believe To my way of thinking I suppose I understand

I imagine Giving Examples For example, such as as that is To illustrate Comparing Similar to in common Either...or Neither...nor Just as Contrasting However, On the contrary, Differ from Although Otherwise Alternatively, Generalizing Generally, Overall, In general, It seems to me that But As...as also

I feel

For instance, In other words, like namely To paraphrase

In the same way, At the same time resemble

On the other hand, Nevertheless Though Instead Even though

Generally speaking, On the whole, By and large, I believe

All in all, Essentially, All things considered Expressing Certainty Certainly, Doubtless, Definitely, Expressing Partial Agreement More or less, Up to a point, In a way, Showing cause Due to Because of Showing effect Therefore, Consequently, Thus, thereby Hence, Marking time First, Second, Third, Firstly,

Basically, As a rule, For the most part

Undoubtedly, No doubt, Of course,

To some extent, Almost, So to speak,

Because Owing to

As a result, For this reason, So, Eventually, The reason why

Last Lastly, Then, First of all,

Secondly, Thirdly, During To begin with Simultaneously Since Afterwards When Adding Information Furthermore Also Moreover Likewise Besides Even Expressing condition If In case Provided that Concluding To summarize Lastly, To conclude with,

Before After While At the same time After this / that Meanwhile Following this As soon as

In addition And Similarly As well as Too Whats more

Whether Unless So that

In conclusion Finally, In short,

Sample IELTS Essay Topics

In both the Academic and General IELTS Writing sections, you need to write an essay of at least 250 words. This means that your essay will be about 4-5 paragraphs long. Below are several sample IELTS essay topics, organized under eight broad categories. You should plan to write at least one essay from each category to gain some experience in handling various types of subjects. Ideally, you should write several such essays so you can do so effectively and within 40 minutes. Government (14 topics) Modern Society (21 topics) Technology (8 topics) Employment (3 topics) Environment (4 topics) Education (17 topics) Parents / Children (2 topics) Gender Issues (2 topics)

GOVERNMENT Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves? What should a government do for a country to become successful? Should money be spent on space exploration? Should rich countries forgive all debts for poor countries? Does foreign aid help donor countries more than the recipients? Should rich countries pay more for environmental damage Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women? Should developing countries concentrate on improving industrial skills or should they promote education first? Safety standards are important when building people's homes. Who should be responsible for enforcing strict building codes - the government or the people who build the homes? Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of giving international aid to poor countries. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and rehabilitated using community service programs for instance, before being reintroduced to society? In most countries disabled people are not catered for adequately, e.g. buildings are often inappropriately designed. Governments rely too heavily on charities and voluntary organizations to provide assistance and funding. What further measures could be taken to assist disabled people? In your opinion should government intervene in the rights of the individual with regard to family planning? The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young drivers complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive. MODERN SOCIETY Nowadays doctors can become very rich. Maybe they should not focus on profitable activities such as plastic surgery or looking after rich patients and concentrate more on patients health, no matter how rich they are? Does travel help to promote understanding and communication between countries?

In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie? Are famous people treated unfairly by the media ? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives? Is animal testing necessary? Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable? Human beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because they can get all their food needs from meatless products and meatless substances. A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat. Argue for or against the opinion above. Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world's forests amounts to death of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Are our zoos cruel to wild animals? Discuss. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos. To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? In Britain, when someone gets old, they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the government has to pay for this care. Who should be responsible for our old people? Give reasons. The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as many as 29 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership and use. What do you think? The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young drivers complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive. News editors decide what to broadcast on TV and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence their decisions? Have we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported? TV: could you be without it? Discuss. To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many countries but its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the problems of tourism? The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer TECHNOLOGY Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when technology was simpler? Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information? We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in future?.Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?Use specific details and examples in your answer. In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years?

Technology is making communication easier in today's world, but at the expense of personal contact as many people choose to work at home in front of a computer screen. What dangers are there for a society which depends on computer screens rather than face-to-face contact for its main means of communication? Will the Internet bring people of the world closer together? The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as many as 29 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership and use. What do you think? The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people's ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer. EMPLOYMENT Should retirement be compulsory at 65 years of age? Telecommuting' refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in many countries and is expected to be common for most office workers in the coming decades. How do you think society will be affected by the growth of telecommuting? In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others people can work until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give reasons for your answer. ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY To what extent should economic planning be influenced by the need of environmental conservation? Damage of the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living. Discuss. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport. The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. EDUCATION Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do you agree? What are factors which are related to academic success in high-school students? Do the benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties? What advice would you offer to a prospective student? The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer. Education is recognized as vital to the future of any society in today's world. Governments throughout the world should make education compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 15. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss. Should sports classes be sacrificed in High School so students can concentrate on academic subjects?

To what extent should universities function as training grounds for employment? To what extent should university courses be geared to the economic needs of society? Should children be taught sex education in schools? Computers can translate all kinds of languages well. Do our children need to learn more languages in the future? Are zoos necessary for education? PARENTS & CHILDREN Children should never be educated at home by their parents. Do you agree or disagree? Children learn best by observing behavior of adults and copying it. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? GENDER ISSUES - ESSAY TOPICS To what extent has the traditional male role changed in the last 20 years? Many people believe that women make better parents than men and that this is why they have the greater role in raising children in most societies. Others claim that men are just as good as women at parenting Write an essay expressing your point of view. Give reasons for your answer.

IELTS Speaking
The Speaking Module of the IELTS rates your ability to communicate clearly, correctly and meaningfully in English in a variety of situations. You are interviewed alone by an examiner and the conversation is recorded. The Speaking Module always follows the same three-part structure, though the topics vary from one candidate to the next. You can achieve a higher score by: understanding the structure so there are few if any surprises familiarizing yourself with the common topics practicing extensively with a teacher /tutor so you can get feedback rehearsing till you can speak comfortably and confidently receiving tips, advice and guidance provided online and in IELTS guidebooks IELTS SPEAKING - STRUCTURE Part Time Category

1 2

4-5 minutes 3-4 minutes

Introduction & Interview on Familiar Topics Individual or or Monologue Long Extended Turn Speaking

4-5 minutes

Two-Way or Topic Discussion

Discussion

IELTS SPEAKING MODULE PART 1 In the first part of the speaking section you will usually be asked to give: your full name your identification answers to basic questions about yourself, for example your hometown what kind of place it is, what is interesting there, what kind of jobs people do, whether it's a good place to live what you do if working: what your job is, why you chose that kind of work, how long you've been doing it, what you like / dislike about your job. if studying: what subjects, why you chose them, if you enjoy them and why Usually, two other topics, which might include the following topics: your family, learning English, your hobbies, your food preferences, your daily routine, national festivals, what tourists do in your country, etc. IELTS SPEAKING MODULE PART 2 In this part, you will be handed a card with a topic. You will be given one minute to think about it and make notes if you like. Then you need to speak about it for about one or two minutes. Examples include: Describe someone who has influenced you in your life. Say how long you have known the person, why he / she is special and how he / she influenced you. Describe a book, story or movie which had a major impact on you. Tell the story, and why you think it impacted you so greatly. Describe a person you would like to meet, explain why you chose this person and what effect such a meeting would have on you. Describe a difficult time in your life, the problem, your solution, and what you learned. Describe a place that had a major impact in you, how it affected you and why. IELTS SPEAKING MODULE PART 3 In this section, you will participate in a two-way discussion with your examiner. The topic will be an extension of a subject you spoke about in Part 2. However, in Part 2, the question related more to your personal experience, and in Part 3, you will be asked more general, extended or in-depth questions to test your ability to expand on a topic and express your opinions. This is shown below: Part 2 Describe a teacher Describe a person Describe a problem Part 3 Education in your country, learning styles, etc. Role of the family in modern life, parents responsibilities, etc. Modern life, is it easier or harder than before?

IELTS Tips - Speaking

1. Give a full answer. Don't just give one word answers. Include more information. For example, when asked where you're from, instead of just saying the name of the place, speak in a sentence which states the name, the location, and how long you've been there. This shows the examiner you are confident speaking in English. But don't speak too long or the examiner will think you've misunderstood the question! 2. Speak clearly and don't worry about your accent. Everyone has an accent when they speak English. The important point is that you enunciate the best you can so the

examiner can understand you. Rehearse in advance to overcome any obvious pronunciation problems. If you make a mistake, don't worry, just correct yourself and keep going. 3. Use descriptive words. Don't use boring words like good, bad, nice, or okay.Use exciting words that covey emotion. Practice using higher level words for every simple word you know such as thrilled instead of happy, or depressed instead of sad. 4. Speak up. Sometimes, students mumble and speak very softly because they are nervous or unsure of their words. Use simple, correct language rather than complicated vocabulary and speak loudly enough that the examiner does not have to strain to hear you. This indicates self-confidence and command of the language. 5. Don't use slang. You have 11 minutes to display the best English you know in all the years that you have been learning English! Choose to be formal rather than informal. 6. Keep a steady pace. Don't speak too fast or too slow. 7. Don't try to memorize answers to sample subjects. The examiner has enough experience to recognize that you are not speaking naturally and spontaneously and will change the subject or give you a lower score. Use the sample subjects to give you practice speaking on a variety of topics, but not to memorize. 8. Explain names or words which are in another language. For instance, if you are asked to speak about a festival, which involves using words in your language, say the words clearly and give the meaning if any afterwards, so the examiner can follow your explanation. 9. Ask questions, if necessary, in Part 3 only. You cannot ask questions in Parts 1 and 2, but you can do so, if necessary in Part 3. 10. Practice speaking with a watch. Get an idea of how long two minutes is and approximately how much content you will have to cover. 11. Stay on topic. Don't change the subject or the examiner will think you have misunderstood and may give you a lower mark. 12. Have daily discussions with friends.Take turns asking each other questions about current events and develop your ability to speak about various topics, using varied sentence structure and vocabulary.

Sample IELTS Speaking Topics

Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking Moduleconsists of personal questions about you, your family, your work, your education or other familiar topics. A categorized list of such topics and questions is given below. You can use these sample questions to rehearse for this part of the oral interview. Make sure you can speak correctly, clearly, and with ease and confidence in response to each question. Remember to make your answer interesting by providing more than the most basic information. Some of these sample questions are highly likely to appear on your exam, so review them well. YOU Describe yourself. FAMILY Describe your family? Do you have a large or small family? How much time do you spend with your family? What do you like to do together as a family? Do you get along well with your family? Are people in your country generally close to their families? WORK What do you do? What are your responsibilities? How many hours do you work each day?

 Do you enjoy your work? Is there some other kind of work you would rather do? If you could change your job or profession, what would you do? Describe the process of getting a job in your country. Describe the company or organization you work for. What is your position? What do you like about your job? What do you dislike about your job? EDUCATION Describe your education. What kind of school did you go to as a child? Did you go to a co-educational school? What was your favourite subject as a child? Who was your favourite teacher? What is the education system like in your country? Do you think your country has an effective education system? STUDIES What are you studying now? What is your area of specialization? HOMETOWN Describe your hometown. Whats special about it? Where is your hometown located? Is it easy to travel around your hometown? What is it known for? What do people in your town do? What are the main industries in your hometown? What problems face your hometown? What languages are spoken in your hometown? What are the advantages of living in your hometown? What are some problems faced by your hometown? Compare your hometown with another city. What are some environmental problems faced by your hometown? WEATHER Whats the weather like in your country? Does the weather affect your mood? How do rainy days make you feel? Whats your favourite season of the year? What do you like to do when its hot? What do you usually do in the winter? How many seasons does your country have? HOME Describe your home. What kind of building do you live in? How long have you lived there? WEDDING Have you ever been to a wedding? Whose wedding was it? Where was it held? What clothes do people wear? Describe the wedding ceremony. What sort if gifts do people buy for the bridal couple? What kind of clothes did the bride and groom wear?

TRAVEL Do you like to travel? What kind of places have you visited in your life? Which place would you really like to visit? Why? Whats the best place youve ever visited? COMPUTERS Do you think computers help society? Do you think computers are bad for health? How do you think computers have changed the world? INTERNET Do you use the Internet much during the day? What do you usually do on the Internet? What are some advantages of the Internet? What are some disadvantages? Do people in your country use the Internet a lot? Do you do any shopping on the Internet? EMAIL Do you send and receive email regularly? Who do you usually communicate with? How often do you check your email? Do you think writing email has strengthened or weakened peoples writing skills? What are some disadvantages of email? FRIEND Describe a friend. How long have you known each other? What do usually do together? What do you like the most about him / her? How often do you see each other? PLACE Describe a place you like to go. Why is this place special to you? When did you first visit this place? Where is this place located? What language is spoken here? Do you speak this language? SMOKING What do you feel about smoking in public places? Do you think smoking should be banned in peoples homes? MARRIAGE What is the attitude toward marriage in your country? Do most young people plan on getting married in your country? What are some of the advantages of marriage? What are some of the disadvantages? Is the divorce rate high in your country? Do you think people should be allowed to get divorced? HOBBIES Do you have any hobbies? What are some of your hobbies? When did you first develop tis hobby? What are some of the advantages of having a hobby? How much time do you spend on your hobby? FILMS Do you enjoy watching movies? Whats your favourite film?

 Who are your favourite actors? How often do you watch films? SHOPPING Do you enjoy shopping? How do you feel about shopping? Do you like shopping on the Internet? Do you have any favourite stores? What dont you like about shopping? Which is the most popular place to shop in your hometown? SPORTS Do you like sports? Do you enjoy watching sports? Do you enjoy participating in any sports? Which sports are most popular in your country? Whats your favourite sport/ When did you first become interested in sports? How often do you participate in sports? What equipment do you need for your favourite sport? FOOD What are some of your favourite foods? What foods are popular in your country? What are some of the famous dishes of your country? Do you enjoy cooking? FESTIVAL Whats the most important festival in your country? How do people celebrate this festival? What special food is associated with this festival? What special activities are associated with this festival? What do you enjoy most about this festival? Do you think festivals are important for a society? TELEVISION Do you watch television a lot? What do you usually watch on television? How many hours of television do you usually watch? What are the most popular shows in your country? What kind of shows do you like to watch? What are some advantages of television? What are someof the disadvantages of television? What did you last watch on television? Why do you think certain TV shows are so popular? TOURISM Which places would you recommend to a visitor to your country? Do a lot of tourists visit your country? What do they usually do there? How has tourism changed your country? Is your country expensive for most tourists? What are some famous landmarks in your country? DAILY ROUTINE Describe your daily routine. What do you usually do? What do you do on the weekend? What is you typical weekday like? Does your life change much from week to week?

 Do you have any free time during the week? YOUR COUNTRY Which country are you from? Where is this country located? Which part of the country do most people live in? What are the main industries in your country? Is it easy to travel around your country? CLOTHES What type of clothes do you like to wear? What kind of clothes do people in your country usually wear? How important is fashion to you? What kind of clothes do you dislike? Do you think people behave differently in different kinds of clothes? What kind of clothes do people wear to work in your country? Are clothes expensive in your country? GOING OUT Do you like going out or staying at home? What do you like to do when you go out? How often do you go out? Do people in your country go our a lot? How and where do people in your country usually socialize? What kind of entertainment is popular in your country? GAMES Do you enjoy playing any games? What kind of games do you play? Do you think adults should play games? What do children learn from games? What kind of games did you play when you were a child? What games are popular in your country today? What kind of games were popular when you were young? Do you think mental games like chess are good for you? COLOURS Do you have a favourite colour? What are your countrys colours? Do you think colours affect our moods? Can you learn anything about a person from the colours he / she likes? Do you like the same colours now as you did when you were a child? MUSIC Do you like music? What kind of music do you like? When do you usually listen to music? What kind of music did you like when you were younger? What kind of music is popular in your country? Do you play any musical instruments? Do you wish you could play any musical instruments? Which is your favourite instrument?

IELTS Speaking Module - Part 2 - Sample Topics

In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Module, you need to give a short talk, of about 1-2 minutes, on a simple topic. The questions do not require any specific knowledge, but are based on personal experience. You are handed a card with the topic and you have one minute to prepare your talk. You can make notes and use these notes during your monologue. The examiner will not ask you any questions during this part of the test, so you

must know how to answer all parts of the question you are given and speak fluently for a few minutes by yourself. Sample IELTS Speaking Module topics (for Part 2) are given below. It is quite likely that you will be given one of these topics or something very similar, so make sure you can speak confidently and clearly on each one. Describe an artist or entertainer you admire. You should say: Who they are and what they do How they became successful How you found out about them And explain why you admire them Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school. You should say: When and where you started studying it What lessons were like What made the subject different from other subjects And explain why you enjoyed the subject Describe an important choice you had to make in your life. You should say: When you had this choice What you had to choose between Whether you made a good choice And explain how you felt when you were making this choice Describe a job you have done. You should say: How you got doing the job What the job involved How long the job lasted Describe how well you did the job Describe an area of countryside you know and like. You should say: Where it is What its special features are What you and other people do in this area And explain why you like it Describe an object you particularly like. You should say: What it is and what it looks like What it is made of What it is for And explain why it is special for you Describe a newspaper or magazine you enjoy reading. You should say: What kind of newspaper / magazine it is Which parts of it you read regularly When and where you read it Explain why you enjoy reading it Describe something healthy you enjoy doing. You should say: What you do Where you do it Who you do it with

 And explain why you think doing this is healthy Describe a game or sport you enjoy playing. You should say: What kind of sport it is Who you play it with Where you play it And explain why you enjoy playing it Describe someone in your family who you like. You should say: How this person is related to you What this person looks like What kind of person he/she is And explain why you like this person Describe a museum or art gallery that you have visited. You should say: Where it is Why you went there What you particularly remember about the place. Describe an enjoyable event that you experienced when you were at school. You should say: When it happened What was good about it Why you particularly remember this event. Describe a song or piece of music you like. You should say: What the song or music is What kind of song or music it is Where you first heard it And explain why you like it Describe a festival that is important in your country. You should say: When the festival occurs What you did during it What you like or dislike about it And explain why this festival is important

IELTS Speaking Samples

The following IELTS speaking samples will give you an idea of how to get a high score on Part 2 of your IELTS speaking test. This part of the test is also known as the long turn. This is where you need to speak by yourself for 1-2 minutes on a given topic. Make sure you cover all the points mentioned on the card you are given. In addition, you should develop the topic into a well-structured answer. Please look over our list of free IELTS speaking topics for parts 1 and 2. Then, familiarize yourself with the type of topics, and practice as many of them as you can. This way you will be more comfortable, relaxed and confident on the day of the exam. Sample IELTS Speaking Describe a game or sport you enjoy playing. You should say: What kind of sport it is Who you play it with Where you play it and explain why you enjoy playing it Topic 1:

Sample IELTS Speaking Response: I enjoy playing various kinds of brain games online. There are a number of different websites I visit on a regular basis in order to play these games by myself. The objective of the games is to exercise different areas of your brain so that you preserve and enhance your memory and also expand and develop your brain capacity. The games are of various kinds. Some enable you to practice your verbal skills. Others test logical reasoning, spatial skills and visual memory. I can keep track of my scores, so that each time I play, my goal is to do better than in the past to outdo myself, so to speak. In addition, if I want, I can compare my scores to others who play online. This aspect is intriguing, but frankly it doesn't interest me much. I don&'t regard this as a competition with anyone else. It is something I do simply to sharpen my mental abilities and improve myself. In fact, one of my favorite games is supposed to be the best for brain fitness. It involves solving a number of simple math problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as quickly as possible. I really hope these games will enable me to preserve my intellect and my memory into old age.