IELTS writing practice with model answers

The chart below compares how people in Riverton City travelled to work in 2015 and 2025. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The bar chart compares the ways people in Riverton City commuted to work in 2015 and 2025.

Overall, driving remained the most common method in both years, but its share fell noticeably, while all other forms of travel became more popular.

In 2015, almost two thirds of workers (64%) travelled by car. By 2025, this figure had dropped to 51%. Public transport was the second most popular option, rising from 22% to 27% over the decade.

The biggest relative change was in cycling, which more than doubled from 4% to 9%, overtaking walking to become the third most common way of getting to work. Working from home also grew, from 4% to 6%, while walking increased only slightly, from 6% to 7%. Taken together, the non-car options rose from 36% to 49% of all commuters.

In summary, although cars still dominated, commuters in Riverton City gradually shifted towards public transport, cycling and other alternatives between 2015 and 2025.

You recently moved into a rented flat, and the heating is not working. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter: explain the problem, describe how it is affecting you, and say what you would like the landlord to do.

Dear Mr Thompson,

I am writing about a problem with the heating in my flat at 14 Elm Street, which I moved into on 1 June.

Since last Monday, the heater in the living room has not turned on at all, and the one in the bedroom only produces cold air. I have checked the power switch and replaced the remote control batteries, but nothing has worked.

As the nights are now very cold, this is making it difficult to sleep, and I have had to buy a small portable heater, which is expensive to run. I am also worried that the cold and damp could damage my belongings.

I would be grateful if you could arrange for a qualified technician to inspect and repair the heating as soon as possible. I am available most afternoons and can be contacted on 0412 345 678.

Thank you for your help.

Yours sincerely,

Priya Sharma

Some people think that university students should study whatever they like. Others believe they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Universities offer a wide range of subjects, from engineering to philosophy, and there is debate about whether students should be free to choose any of them. While some argue that only practical subjects should be studied, I believe students should be able to follow their interests, within reason.

Those who favour useful subjects argue that countries need graduates with skills that support economic growth. Science and technology drive innovation in medicine, energy and communication, and these fields often lead to well-paid, secure jobs. From this perspective, limiting choice could reduce graduate unemployment and ensure public money is spent efficiently.

On the other hand, it is difficult to predict which skills will be valuable in the future. Many jobs that exist today were unimaginable twenty years ago. Subjects such as history, languages and the arts develop critical thinking, communication and creativity, which employers in almost every industry value. Moreover, students who study what they enjoy are usually more motivated and therefore more likely to succeed. A talented history student forced into engineering may struggle and even drop out, which helps no one.

In my opinion, students should be free to choose their subject, but universities and governments can guide them with clear information about employment outcomes and by offering scholarships in areas of national need. This approach respects individual choice while still supporting the economy, and it allows students to combine their passions with practical skills, for example through double degrees or elective units in data and technology.

In conclusion, although science and technology are clearly important, restricting students to these fields would be short-sighted. A balance of freedom and guidance is the best solution.