IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test 9

Write your own response before opening this example. This is a sample from the book, not a score or assessment of your writing.

Dear Rosa,

Thank you so much for offering to stay at my flat while I'm away. You've really taken a weight off my mind!

As you know, my company is opening a new office in Singapore, and they've asked me to go out and help train the new staff. I'll be leaving on 3 June and should be back at the beginning of September.

There isn't much to do, but there are a few things you should know. Could you water the plants on the balcony every couple of days, especially if it's hot? The boiler is a bit temperamental, so if the hot water stops, just press the red reset button underneath it. Bins go out on Tuesday evenings, and recycling is collected every other week. I'll leave a list of useful numbers on the fridge, including the landlord's, in case anything goes wrong.

Please make yourself at home and enjoy the area while you're here. The market by the river on Saturday mornings is well worth a visit, and there's an excellent Thai restaurant on the corner of my street. If you like walking, the path along the canal takes you all the way out to the countryside.

I'll drop the keys round next week.

Best wishes,

Ines

Commentary

• TA: All three bullet points are covered with clear, relevant detail: the reason for the trip and its dates, practical instructions (plants, boiler, bins, contacts) and specific suggestions for things to do. The friendly, informal tone suits a letter to a friend, and the purpose is clear from the opening lines.
• CC: Each paragraph deals with one bullet point, and the letter flows naturally from thanks, to explanation, to instructions and suggestions. Linking is informal but effective ("As you know", "so if...", "If you like walking").
• LR: The vocabulary is natural and idiomatic for an informal letter ("taken a weight off my mind", "temperamental", "make yourself at home", "well worth a visit", "drop the keys round").
• GRA: The writer uses a good range of structures accurately, including polite requests ("Could you water..."), conditionals ("if the hot water stops") and future forms ("I'll be leaving", "should be back").

Write your own response before opening this example. This is a sample from the book, not a score or assessment of your writing.

When choosing a job, many people consider not only the work itself but also the size of the organisation. Some prefer large companies, while others are happier in small ones. Both have clear advantages, but in my view, a large company is usually the better choice early in a career, while a small company may suit people with more experience.

Those who prefer large companies often point to security and opportunities. Big organisations are generally more stable, so employees are less likely to lose their jobs if the economy slows down. They also tend to offer higher salaries, better pensions and formal training programmes. In addition, there is often a clear career path, and employees may be able to move between departments or even work in other countries without changing employer.

On the other hand, many people find that small companies offer a more satisfying working life. Because there are fewer staff, each employee usually has a wider range of responsibilities, and their contribution is more visible. Decisions can be made quickly, without layers of management, and relationships with colleagues and managers tend to be closer and more informal. For some people, this sense of belonging matters more than a higher salary.

In my opinion, the best choice depends partly on the stage of a person's career. A young graduate can benefit greatly from the structured training and wide range of contacts that a large company provides. Later, when they have developed their skills and confidence, the variety and independence of a smaller firm may be more rewarding. For example, a friend of mine spent five years at a large bank before joining a small financial consultancy, and she feels she could not have done her current job without that earlier experience.

In conclusion, both large and small companies have much to offer. Large organisations provide security and training, while small ones offer variety and a closer working environment, and the right choice depends on what a person needs at a particular point in their working life.

Commentary

• TR: Both views are discussed fully and fairly, and the writer gives a clear, nuanced opinion in the introduction (the better choice depends on the stage of a career) which is developed in the fourth paragraph and repeated in the conclusion. The personal example is relevant and supports the writer's position.
• CC: The essay follows a clear structure (first view, second view, own opinion, conclusion), and each paragraph opens with a clear topic sentence. Cohesive devices are varied and used naturally ("Those who prefer", "On the other hand", "Later", "For example").
• LR: The vocabulary is precise and appropriate to the topic ("a clear career path", "layers of management", "a sense of belonging", "structured training", "rewarding"), and the writer avoids repetition by using synonyms such as "firm" and "organisation".
• GRA: A wide range of structures is used accurately, including comparatives ("less likely", "more satisfying"), conditional and time clauses ("if the economy slows down", "when they have developed their skills") and a modal perfect ("could not have done").