IELTS Academic Writing — Practice Test 14
Task 1: two maps (change over time) · Task 2: a positive or negative development 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: দুটি ম্যাপ · টাস্ক ২: ইতিবাচক না নেতিবাচক পরিবর্তন।
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।
- For maps, describe what was replaced, added or kept, using the passive (was replaced by, was built) and location words. কী বদলেছে, কী যোগ হয়েছে, কী আগের মতো — passive ও অবস্থানবাচক শব্দে।
- 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 · Maps (change over time)
The maps below show the village of Millbrook in 1995 and in 2025.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Millbrook, 1995
Millbrook, 2025
💡 How to describe two maps + useful language · গঠন ও ভাষা
Plan: Introduction (paraphrase) → Overview (the village became more developed and residential; the river, road and houses stayed) → Body 1 (north: forest, shop) → Body 2 (south and east: farmland, school, park, bridge). অঞ্চল (উত্তর/দক্ষিণ) অনুযায়ী পরিবর্তনগুলো সাজাও।
- Changes:
was replaced by,was converted into,was extended,was demolished - Additions:
a new… was built,was constructed across - Location:
to the north of the main road,in the south-west,next to
✅ Show 3 model answers (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
See how location language and the passive make the changes clear at higher bands. অবস্থানবাচক শব্দ ও passive দেখো।
Band 9 177 words
The maps illustrate the changes that took place in the village of Millbrook between 1995 and 2025.
Overall, the village was transformed from a small farming community into a more developed residential area, with new housing and facilities. Despite this, the main road, the river and the row of houses north of the road remained unchanged.
In the north of the village, the large forest that once stretched almost the entire width of the map was reduced to roughly half its original size, and the eastern section was cleared to make way for a car park. Just north of the main road, the small shop was replaced by a much larger supermarket.
The most dramatic change occurred in the south-west, where the farmland was completely replaced by a housing estate. To the east of this, the school was extended, and a park was created on the land directly south of it. Finally, a bridge was constructed across the river at the eastern end of the main road, connecting the village to the land on the far side.
Band 7 155 words
The maps show how the village of Millbrook changed between 1995 and 2025.
Overall, the village became more modern, with more houses and new facilities. However, the main road, the river and the houses along the road stayed the same.
In 1995, there was a big forest in the north of the village. By 2025, half of the forest was cut down and a car park was built there. Also, the small shop next to the main road was replaced by a large supermarket, which shows that more people were living in the village.
In the south-west, the farmland disappeared, and a large housing estate was built in its place. The school, which was in the middle of the village, became bigger. A new park was also made just below the school. In addition, a bridge was built across the river at the end of the main road, so people could cross the river easily.
Band 5–6 125 words
The map show the village Millbrook in 1995 and 2025.
Overall the village change a lot and there is more house and building now. The main road, the river and the old house near the road is same.
In 1995 there is big forest in north. In 2025 half of forest is cut and they make car park. The shop is change to supermarket and it is very big. So more people come to the village for shopping now.
In 1995 there is farm land in the south but in 2025 there is many house. The school become more big and there is park near the school. Also they make a bridge on the river in the east so people can go other side easy.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changes covered | some, vague | all main ones | all, precisely located |
| Passive | often wrong | mostly correct | accurate & varied |
| 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 · Positive or negative development
Write about the following topic:
In many countries, an increasing number of people are choosing to live alone. Is this a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
💡 How to structure a positive / negative essay + useful language · গঠন ও ভাষা
Plan: Introduction (paraphrase + your view, e.g. mainly negative / mainly positive) → Body 1 (the side you agree with less, briefly and fairly) → Body 2 (your main view, developed) → Conclusion. দুই দিক দেখাও, কিন্তু তোমার মূল মত স্পষ্ট রাখো।
- Evaluating:
This trend has clear benefits…,The drawbacks, however, are more serious. - Weighing:
On balance,outweigh,more significant - Examples:
For instance,A case in point is…
✅ Show 3 model essays (Band 9 / 7 / 5–6) + Bangla explanations try your own first!
Notice how the essay weighs both sides before reaching a clear judgement. দুই দিক বিবেচনা করে স্পষ্ট সিদ্ধান্ত।
Band 9 267 words
In many parts of the world, the number of one-person households has risen sharply, as young professionals, divorced adults and older people increasingly live on their own. Although this trend reflects greater personal freedom, I believe that its negative consequences for both individuals and society are more significant.
There are undeniable advantages to living alone. It gives people complete control over their own space and routine, allowing them to concentrate on their careers or interests without compromise. For many young adults, it is also an important step towards independence, teaching them to manage money, cook and take responsibility for a home. Moreover, the trend often reflects rising incomes, since only those who can afford it are able to rent or buy a property by themselves.
Nevertheless, the drawbacks are, in my view, more serious. The most worrying is loneliness, which research has linked to depression and even physical illness. This is particularly true for elderly people living alone, who may go days without speaking to anyone and have nobody to help them in an emergency. In addition, one-person households use land, energy and resources far less efficiently than larger ones, adding to housing shortages in crowded cities. In countries such as Bangladesh, where extended families have traditionally supported one another, this shift may also weaken the bonds between generations.
In conclusion, while living alone offers freedom and independence, I believe it is largely a negative development because of the loneliness it can cause and the pressure it places on housing and resources. Communities and governments should therefore find ways to keep people who live alone socially connected.
Band 7 257 words
Nowadays, more and more people are living alone in many countries. Some people think this is a good change, but I believe it is mostly a negative development.
On the one hand, living alone has some advantages. People have more freedom, because they can decide everything themselves, such as when to eat, sleep or invite friends. Young people also learn to be independent. For example, they learn how to cook, clean and manage their money. In addition, living alone can be quieter, so people can focus on their studies or work without being disturbed. It also shows that people have more money, because they can pay rent by themselves.
On the other hand, there are more serious disadvantages. The biggest problem is loneliness. People who live alone may feel sad and isolated, especially old people, who often have no one to talk to or to help them when they are sick. This can cause mental health problems like depression. Another problem is that when many people live alone, cities need more houses and flats, so housing becomes more expensive and there is more pressure on land and energy. In Bangladesh, families usually live together, and living alone may make family relationships weaker.
In conclusion, although living alone gives people freedom and independence, I think it is a negative development overall, because it can cause loneliness and increase housing problems. People who live alone should try to stay connected with their family and friends, and the government should also create community centres where they can meet other people.
Band 5–6 205 words
Now a days many people live alone in many country. Some people think it is good but I think it is mostly bad.
First the good side. When people live alone they have more freedom, they can do anything when they want. Young people learn to be independent, like cooking, cleaning and manage money. Also it is quiet so they can study or work well and nobody disturb them. It also show people have more money now.
But the bad side is more. The biggest problem is lonely. People who live alone feel sad and alone, specially old people because nobody talk with them or help when they are sick. This make depression. Another problem is the city need more house and flat for all people so the house price go up. In Bangladesh family live together for long time, grandparent, parent and children in one house. But if people live alone the family relation become weak and children do not learn from old people.
In conclusion living alone give freedom but i think it is negative because it make lonely and house problem. People who live alone should keep connect with family and friend, and visit them every week so they are not lonely.
| Criterion | Band 5–6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judgement | stated, simple | clear | clear, carefully weighed |
| Development | listed points | explained with examples | fully developed |
| 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।