Cambridge IELTS 18 General Writing Practice Test 3

IELTS Cambridge Book 18 General Training Writing Practice Test 3 with Sample Answers and Free PDF Download.

IELTS 18 General Training Writing Practice Test 3, Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently bought some train tickets for a journey a week in advance. When you went to the station to catch the train, you were told you could not use the tickets, and the staff were very unhelpful to you.

Write a letter to the train company. In your letter:

• Describe the problem you had with the tickets.
• Say why you were unhappy with the staff.
• Suggest what action the train company should take.

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Sample Answer:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the information on your website and the service I received at Central Station. Yesterday, my elderly uncle and I arrived at the station intending to use the tickets we had purchased online to travel to Newcastle at 5:50 p.m. Unfortunately, we were informed that our tickets were for off-peak travel, and we could not use them for our scheduled train.

When I bought the tickets, it was not made clear on the website that they were only valid for specific times. This lack of clarity caused significant inconvenience, and I believe that this information needs to be more prominently displayed to prevent others from encountering the same issue.

However, what truly upset me was the unhelpful attitude of the staff at the station. When we asked for assistance, instead of helping us pay the fare difference and catch our train, the attendant merely waved us toward a ticket machine with a long queue. As a result, we missed our train and had to wait an hour for the next one. I strongly urge you to train your personnel to be more proactive and supportive in the future.

I hope you find this feedback useful and take appropriate action to improve your service.

Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]

Examiner’s Comments:

This is a very strong response to the task: all three bullet points are addressed with a good level of detail, and the tone is appropriate for a letter of complaint. The letter demonstrates clear progression and a natural writing style.

The range of vocabulary is wide and includes several higher-level phrases [unhelpful attitude of the staff | pay the fare difference | proactive and supportive]. The response also includes a variety of complex grammatical structures [When I bought the tickets | it was not made clear], with accurate use of multi-clause sentences, past perfect, and modal forms.

This is already a high-level response. To enhance it further, the final bullet point could be developed by providing a specific suggestion on how the staff could be “more proactive.

IELTS 18 General Training Writing Practice Test 3, Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

It is increasingly common for people to hold down more than one job. Gone are the days when people could rely on one source of income to satisfy all their financial needs.

What are the reasons for this development?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having more than one job?

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

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:

It is increasingly common for people to hold more than one job. Gone are the days when people could rely on a single source of income to satisfy all their financial needs. I would like to explore the reasons for this change and outline its advantages and disadvantages.

One of the primary reasons people take on additional work is the rising cost of living. In recent years, the cost of essential goods and services has increased exponentially, making it difficult for individuals to break even at the end of the month. Moreover, advertising companies relentlessly promote the idea that wealth equates to happiness, leading many to take on freelance jobs or weekend work in the hope of improving their quality of life.

Holding multiple jobs can offer several benefits. Diversifying one’s skills and gaining more experience can enhance employability in a highly competitive job market. Additionally, having more than one job can provide financial security, as it prevents individuals from putting all their eggs in one basket; if one source of income dries up, they still have another to rely on.

However, there are also significant downsides to this trend. Juggling multiple jobs can quickly lead to burnout and exhaustion, leaving little time for family, friends, or personal hobbies. Moreover, when a person is spread too thin, the quality of their work may suffer, leading to potential professional setbacks.

Overall, it is crucial to maintain a balance. While having an additional source of income can be beneficial, it is important to keep work in its place and not compromise one’s health or relationships for the sake of a larger bank balance.

Examiner’s Comments:

This is a strong response. The candidate has effectively addressed both questions and provided a range of extended ideas. The reasons given for having more than one job include the rising cost of living and the influence of advertising that equates wealth with happiness.

The advantages and disadvantages of holding multiple jobs are well articulated. The benefits include increasing skills and experience to enhance employability and providing financial security. The drawbacks include burnout, limited time for personal life, and the potential for producing poor-quality work.

The response is logically organized with well-managed cohesion. There are effective linking expressions [Gone are the days when | Additionally | Moreover], and accurate reference and substitution. Vocabulary is accurate and wide-ranging [rising cost of living | break even | financial security], with some sophisticated phrases [putting all their eggs in one basket | burnt out | spread too thin]. Similarly, the range of grammatical structures is wide and flexible.

This is a very good example of a higher-level response.