IELTS
IELTS Academic and General Training: Task Examples
The clearest way to understand the two IELTS modules is to compare what you would actually read and write. The examples below are original practice situations, not official exam questions or scored responses.
Academic Task 1: describe supplied information
Imagine a chart showing library visits increasing from 20,000 to 26,000 over five years. A useful description identifies the overall rise and supports it with figures. Do not invent a reason such as improved marketing unless the supplied information supports that explanation.
General Training Task 1: write for a reader
Imagine writing to a landlord about a broken heater. Explain the problem, describe its effect and request an appropriate next step. The purpose and relationship guide the tone. A letter to a friend would call for different choices from a formal complaint.
A paired writing exercise
For the chart, write one sentence summarizing the main feature and one giving supporting figures. For the letter, write an opening that makes the purpose clear and a specific request. Compare how the reader’s needs change the organization and vocabulary.
Task 2: develop a relevant argument
Both modules include an essay task. Read the exact prompt, plan a clear answer and support the main points. Do not paste a chart-report structure into an essay or assume a memorized introduction answers every question.
Reading practice
Use material and official tasks for your chosen module. Review whether an incorrect response came from vocabulary, a missed qualification, an unsupported inference or the instructions. The number correct on one practice set does not define a permanent cross-module conversion.
Choose the module before collecting templates
Confirm the accepted test with your receiving institution or authority. Once the requirement is clear, collect a small set of appropriate tasks and practise the reading and writing demands they actually contain. Use the linked decision guide if you are still choosing a module.
Sources and further reading
Apply what you learned
Which Task 1 asks you to describe visual information: Academic or General Training?
Show answer and explanation
Academic.
General Training Task 1 asks for a letter. Practise the task type for your booked module instead of using one model response for both.