IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test 2
General Training Writing in the official format: a letter to a noisy neighbour, and an essay on online shopping. 60 minutes, with model answers.
How this practice matches real IELTS use
Writing is not marked automatically. After you submit, compare your answer with a model answer and tick a self-check list based on the public IELTS marking criteria.
How to use this practice set
1. Attempt seriously
Use realistic timing, avoid random guessing, and finish the set as one focused session.
2. Review by skill gap
Separate vocabulary gaps, concentration errors, weak task strategy, and careless mistakes instead of looking only at score.
3. Repeat with purpose
After review, move to the next related IELTS section or repeat weak-question types until your accuracy becomes stable.
Writing
Before you start
- Questions
- 2
- Time
- 60 minutes
- Parts
- 2
- The timer starts when you press Start. When it reaches zero, your answers are submitted automatically.
- Use the numbered navigator to move between questions, and flag any you want to come back to.
- For typed answers, keep within the word limit. Answers over the limit are marked wrong, as in the real test.
- You can submit early. Your score, the correct answers and explanations appear straight away.
IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test 2: all 2 questions with answers
Prefer to work through the test on paper? Answer the questions, then open “Show answer” to check.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Q1.Your neighbour has been making a lot of noise late at night.
Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter:
• introduce yourself
• explain the problem
• suggest a solution
You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...,
Show answer
Model answer
Dear neighbour,
My name is Daniel and I live in flat 3B, directly below yours. We have not had a chance to meet properly yet, but I have lived in the building since last summer.
I am writing because, over the past few weeks, there has been quite a lot of noise from your flat late at night, usually music and people talking loudly after midnight. I am sure you do not realise how clearly sound travels through the floors in this building, but it has been keeping me awake, and as I start work at seven, I am finding it difficult to get enough sleep.
I would really appreciate it if you could keep the volume down after about 11 pm on weeknights. Weekends are less of a problem for me, so I do not mind the occasional party then, especially if you let me know in advance. Perhaps we could also exchange phone numbers so that we can sort out any similar issues quickly in the future.
Thank you for understanding. Please feel free to knock on my door if you would like to talk about it.
Best wishes,
Daniel
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Q2.Write about the following topic:
Many people now shop online rather than in physical shops.
What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Show answer
Model answer
In recent years, a growing share of shopping has moved from high streets and shopping centres to the internet. This essay will examine why this has happened and argue that, although it has some negative effects, it is largely a positive development.
There are several reasons for the popularity of online shopping. The first is convenience: customers can browse and buy at any time of day without travelling or queueing, and goods are delivered to their door. Secondly, the internet makes it easy to compare prices across many sellers in minutes, so shoppers often pay less. Online stores also offer a far wider range of products than any physical shop could stock, and customer reviews help people make informed decisions.
For consumers, these changes are clearly beneficial. People with little time, those living in rural areas and those who find it difficult to travel, such as elderly or disabled people, now have access to the same products as everyone else.
However, the shift is not without costs. Many local shops have closed, which can leave town centres empty and reduce jobs in some communities. The large number of deliveries also adds to traffic and packaging waste. Even so, these problems can be addressed: town centres can offer experiences the internet cannot, such as cafés, services and events, and delivery companies are increasingly using electric vans and recyclable packaging.
In conclusion, people shop online mainly because it is convenient, cheaper and offers more choice. While the decline of local shops is a real concern, the overall impact of online shopping is positive.