IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test 1

IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test

Task 2

This job should take you about 40 minutes. At least 250 words should be written.
Use the checklist to check your writing task when you’re done. After that, look at the sample answer and compare it to your task.

Write about this subject: People are spending more and more on their weddings in many countries, with expensive ceremonies, designer clothes, and big parties.

Some people think this is a good thing because it shows love and celebration, while others think it is a waste of money and time.

Talk about both of these ideas and then give your own.
Please explain why you chose that answer and give any examples from your own life or knowledge that are relevant.

Example answer

Weddings these days are big events that can cost a lot of money. Some people think this is a beautiful way to celebrate love and bring families together, while others think it’s a waste of money. I think that even though big weddings can make great memories, the pressure to spend too much has gone too far.

People who like big weddings say that a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should be special. They think that spending money on a beautiful venue, professional photography, and nice clothes will help couples start their married life with happiness and confidence. For example, in many cultures, big parties bring families and communities closer together, and guests remember these events for years. People who support the wedding industry also say that it provides jobs for caterers, musicians, florists, and many other people.

Critics, on the other hand, say that most couples could spend that money much better. A wedding now costs tens of thousands of dollars, and a lot of young people start their married lives in debt because of it. They could put their money toward a house deposit or their future children’s education instead of expensive decorations or a fancy honeymoon. Also, social media has made the pressure to have a “perfect” wedding worse, which has led to competition instead of real celebration.

I think that a simple wedding is usually the best choice. Last year, my cousin got married in a small garden ceremony with only close family and friends. They didn’t spend much, but everyone agreed that it was one of the most touching and meaningful weddings they’d ever been to. The price tag has nothing to do with love.

In conclusion, big weddings can be fun and important to culture, but the trend of spending too much money on them has become unhealthy. Couples should be able to celebrate in a way that works for them without worrying about money or what other people think.

To-do list for Task 2

Did you write at least 250 words?
Have you talked about both sides in a clear and fair way?
Did you give your own opinion and back it up with examples and reasons?
Are the paragraphs in your essay clear? (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion)
Did you use a good range of words that are related to the topic? For example, lavish, extravagant, and once-in-a-lifetime?
Have you used linking words well, like “although,” “on the other hand,” “for example,” and “moreover”?
Have you used different sentence structures and used complicated grammar correctly?
Have you looked for mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar?