Cambridge IELTS 17 General Writing Practice Test 3

IELTS Cambridge Book 17 General Training Writing Practice Test 3 with Sample Answers and Free PDF Download.

IELTS 17 General Training Writing Practice Test 3, Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently booked a part-time course at a college, but now you need to cancel your booking.

Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter:

• Mention which part-time course you booked
• Explain why you need to cancel your booking
• Inquire about booking a different course

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Sample Writing Answer:

This is an answer written by a candidate who achieved a Band 6.0 score.

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is Gonzalo, and I recently booked one of your part-time courses, Business Administration. I am writing to inquire if it is possible to change my course.

I initially chose this program to enhance my knowledge in this specific area. As you may know, I have been working in my current job for 10 years. However, a great friend has recently offered me an opportunity to work as a graphic designer at his company. To be honest, this represents the biggest career change I have ever considered.

The main reason I am contacting you is that I need to switch my program to something more relevant to my new career path. Could you please let me know what arrangements are necessary for booking a different course? Will there be an extra fee to change? How does the process work to switch to a different course? I am in need of some guidance.

Best regards,
Gonzalo

Examiner’s Comments:

This is a good response that addresses all three bullet points. Details about the course and the reasons for the cancellation are provided, and several questions are asked about booking another course. The letter uses the correct format, but the tone in the closing (“Best regards!”) is too informal for this context.

Ideas are logically organized into three paragraphs, addressing each point in turn. Cohesive devices like “However” and “To be honest” are used effectively, along with clear referencing (“on that specific area,” “my course,” “his own company”). The vocabulary range is adequate, with attempts at using less common expressions like “necessary arrangements” and “in need of guidance.” However, a wider range of vocabulary would be needed for a higher score. The response includes sentences with multiple clauses and uses a variety of tenses and question forms, but there are errors (“Is there / Are there,” “I am need of / I am in need of”) that lower the overall score.

IELTS 17 General Training Writing Practice Test 3, Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

It is better to buy just a few expensive clothes rather than lots of cheaper clothes.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Writing Answer:

This is an answer written by a candidate who achieved a Band 7.0 score.

The clothing and fashion market offers a wide range of options at different price levels. It’s possible to find a variety of stores and manufacturers across cities and malls. However, the quality offered and the budget people are willing to spend are important considerations. In what situations are expensive, tailored clothing better than cheaper, mass-produced clothes?

Some argue that prioritizing quality is always better, as well as having exclusivity. Needless to say, having a good wardrobe filled with high-quality clothing is a dream for most women, as our outfits tend to be more demanding than the simplicity of male fashion. In my opinion, it is a wonderful feeling to purchase something of greater value because one can be sure of its durability and superior appearance.

The second option, buying clothes in large quantities at lower prices, has its downsides. One issue is that quality is not the main concern; in popular stores, it is common to find mass-produced pieces that lack individuality. Another issue is durability; the more clothing items are produced, the less they tend to last. Every laundry load becomes a struggle, with pieces losing color and fabric thickness. It is also worth noting that these clothes are made in large quantities, making it easy to spot others wearing the same outfit. In the long term, people might spend the same amount of money replacing low-cost clothes, which counteracts the perceived benefits of spending less.

In conclusion, good quality clothing, though higher in price, offers many advantages compared to more popular and less expensive products.

Examiner’s Comments:

This is a strong response. Both parts of the question are addressed, and it is clear that the candidate prefers buying fewer expensive clothes. The candidate emphasizes the quality, exclusivity, and durability of expensive clothing and presents the downsides of cheaper clothing. Ideas are logically organized with clear progression through paragraphs. The second paragraph discusses the benefits of buying expensive clothes, while the third paragraph discusses the benefits of cheaper clothes.

A range of cohesive devices is used appropriately, with linking phrases like “Needless to say” and “In my opinion,” and effective referencing (“our outfits,” “they,” “their”). The vocabulary is flexible and precise, with appropriate collocations like “prioritizing quality” and “having exclusivity.” However, there are some errors in word choice (“wild range / wide range,” “attires … demanding / outfits …,” “greater / higher,” “role / ?,” “objective / quality?,” “refutates / refutes?” “counteracts”) and a spelling error with the homophone “peaces / pieces.” Greater control over word choice would improve the score. A variety of complex structures are used, with many error-free sentences, but a few errors remain (“are the quality / is the quality”).