IELTS Academic Writing — Practice Test 10
Task 1: a bar chart · Task 2: a discussion essay. Write both answers, get an indicative band estimate, then compare with three model answers (Band 9, 7 and 5–6) — each explained in Bangla — and grade yourself on the four official criteria. টাস্ক ১: বার চার্ট · টাস্ক ২: আলোচনা রচনা।
How this works — কীভাবে দেবে
- You have 60 minutes: about 20 min on Task 1 (min. 150 words) and 40 min on Task 2 (min. 250 words). Task 2 counts double. টাস্ক ১-এ ~২০ মিনিট, টাস্ক ২-এ ~৪০ মিনিট।
- With two years and five categories, compare which rose and which fell — do not just list every bar. কোনটি বেড়েছে আর কোনটি কমেছে — সেভাবে তুলনা করো।
- The band estimate is a rough computer guide — use the model answers and checklist as your main guide. স্কোর আনুমানিক; মডেল উত্তর ও চেকলিস্টই মূল ভরসা।
- Hover the red-dashed words for meaning. Your writing is saved in this browser. লাল-ড্যাশ শব্দে মাউস রাখো; লেখা সেভ থাকে।
Writing Task 1
Spend about 20 minutes · Write at least 150 words · Bar chart
The bar chart below shows the percentage of household income spent on five categories by families in one country in 2005 and 2025.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Share of household income spent (%)
💡 How to describe a bar chart with two years + useful language · গঠন ও ভাষা
Plan: Introduction (paraphrase) → Overview (food fell but stayed the largest; all other categories rose) → Body 1 (food and housing — the two biggest) → Body 2 (transport, education and leisure). বড় দুটি খাত একসাথে, ছোট তিনটি একসাথে লেখো।
- Change:
fell from… to…,rose by four percentage points,almost doubled - Ranking:
the largest share,the second-biggest expense,the smallest category - Accuracy: write
percentage pointswhen comparing two percentages
✅ Show 3 model answers (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
See how the changes are grouped and compared from Band 5 to Band 9. পরিবর্তনগুলো কীভাবে গ্রুপ করা হয় দেখো।
Band 9 170 words
The bar chart compares how families in one country divided their household income between five categories of spending in 2005 and 2025.
Overall, the share devoted to food fell considerably, although it remained the single largest expense in both years. By contrast, the proportion spent on every other category increased, with housing showing the most significant rise.
In 2005, food accounted for almost half of household spending, at 45%, more than twice the share spent on housing (20%). Twenty years later, the figure for food had dropped by 13 percentage points to 32%, while housing costs had climbed to 28%, leaving the two categories much closer than before.
The three smaller categories all grew over the period. Spending on transport rose from 8% to 12%, and the share devoted to education also increased, from 7% to 12%, so that the two were equal by 2025. Leisure remained the smallest category in both years, but it almost doubled, from 5% to 9%, suggesting that families had more money available for entertainment.
Band 7 152 words
The bar chart shows the percentage of household income that families in one country spent on five things in 2005 and 2025.
Overall, the percentage spent on food went down, but it was still the biggest category in both years. All the other categories went up, especially housing.
In 2005, families spent 45% of their income on food, which was the highest. Housing was second with 20%. In 2025, the percentage for food decreased to 32%, while housing increased to 28%. This means the difference between food and housing became much smaller than before.
The other three categories also increased. Transport went up from 8% to 12%, and education went up from 7% to 12%, so they were the same in 2025. Leisure was the lowest in both years, but it increased from 5% to 9%, which is almost double. This shows that families had more money for other things in 2025.
Band 5–6 118 words
The bar chart show the percent of money that family spend for five thing in 2005 and 2025.
Overall the food is go down but it still the biggest. Other thing is go up.
In 2005 the food is 45% and it is the most high. Housing is 20%. In 2025 food go down to 32% and housing go up to 28%. So food and housing is near now.
Transport is go up from 8% to 12% and education go up from 7% to 12%. So both is same in 2025. Leisure is the lowest, it is 5% in 2005 and 9% in 2025. So family have more money for leisure and other thing in 2025 than 2005.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | brief | clear | clear, with main contrast |
| Grouping | bar by bar | logical | big vs small categories |
| Grammar | many errors | mostly correct | error-free, varied |
| Length | below 150 (penalised) | meets 150+ | ideal 160–190 |
Writing Task 2
Spend about 40 minutes · Write at least 250 words · Discussion (both views + your opinion)
Write about the following topic:
Some people think that university education should be free for all students. Others believe that students should pay tuition fees. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
💡 How to structure a discussion essay + useful language · গঠন ও ভাষা
Plan: Introduction (paraphrase + say you will discuss both and give your opinion) → Body 1 (view 1, fairly) → Body 2 (view 2, fairly) → Conclusion (your opinion clearly). দুই পক্ষকেই ন্যায্য গুরুত্ব দাও, তারপর নিজের মত।
- Views:
Supporters of free education argue that…,Opponents, however, maintain that… - Linking:
On the one hand,On the other hand,Moreover, - Opinion:
Personally, I believe…,On balance,
✅ Show 3 model essays (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
Notice how both sides are explained fairly before the writer gives a clear opinion. নিজের মত দেওয়ার আগে দুই পক্ষ ন্যায্যভাবে ব্যাখ্যা।
Band 9 275 words
Whether university education should be free or paid for by students is a question that divides opinion in many countries. Both positions have merit, but on balance I believe that a system combining low fees with generous support for poorer students is the fairest approach.
Supporters of free higher education argue that it is the best way to give everyone an equal chance in life. When there are no fees, talented young people from poor families are not prevented from studying simply because they cannot afford it. Furthermore, society as a whole benefits from a well-educated population: doctors, engineers and teachers trained at public expense go on to serve the whole community and to pay taxes throughout their careers.
On the other hand, those who favour tuition fees point out that university education is extremely expensive to provide, and that graduates usually earn considerably more than non-graduates. In their view, it is unfair to ask taxpayers, many of whom never attended university, to pay for others to gain such a valuable personal advantage. Fees may also encourage students to take their studies seriously and to choose courses that lead to useful careers.
Personally, I find the argument for equal opportunity the most persuasive, yet I accept that completely free education places a heavy burden on public finances. A balanced solution would be to charge modest fees while offering scholarships and loans that are repaid only once a graduate’s income reaches a certain level.
In conclusion, although both views are understandable, I believe universities should remain accessible to all talented students, and a combination of low fees and targeted financial support would achieve this most fairly.
Band 7 262 words
Some people think that university education should be free for everyone, while others think students should pay fees. In this essay, I will discuss both views and give my own opinion.
On the one hand, many people believe university should be free because it gives everyone the same chance. If students do not have to pay, poor students can also go to university and get a good education. Also, the country gets more educated people, like doctors and engineers, who help society and pay taxes when they start working. For example, many doctors in Bangladesh studied at public universities with very low fees.
On the other hand, some people think students should pay fees because universities need a lot of money. Graduates usually get better jobs and higher salaries, so they can pay back the cost later. In addition, it is not fair for all taxpayers to pay for something that mainly helps the student. Moreover, if students pay fees, they may study harder and choose their subject more carefully, because they do not want to waste their money.
In my opinion, education should be available for everyone, but the government cannot pay for everything. I think universities should have low fees, and poor students should get scholarships or loans. They can pay back the loans when they get a good job after graduation.
In conclusion, both views have good points. However, I believe a mix of low fees and help for poor students is the best way, because talented students can study and the government does not spend too much money.
Band 5–6 204 words
Some people think the university should be free for all student and some people think student should pay the fee. I will discuss both and give my opinion.
In one hand people say university should be free because everybody get same chance. If no fee the poor student can also go university. And the country get more educated people like doctor and engineer and they help the society.
In other hand some people think student should pay fee because university need lot of money. Also after study the student get good job and big salary so they can pay. It is not fair the all people pay tax for the student. And if student pay the fee they study more hard and they do not waste the time in university.
In my opinion university is important for everyone but government can not pay all thing. So the fee should be low and poor student should get scholarship or loan. They can pay back when they get job, and the government also save the money for other thing like hospital.
In conclusion both opinion is good. But i think low fee and help the poor student is the best way for everybody in the country.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both views | covered but thin | both explained | both explored in depth |
| Opinion | present, simple | clear | clear, balanced, reasoned |
| Grammar | frequent errors | mostly accurate | error-free, varied |
| Vocabulary | simple, repeated | good range | wide, precise |
Grade yourself — the 4 official criteria
Tick each statement that is true of your writing. Task 2 counts double. প্রতিটি সত্য বাক্যে টিক দাও।