IELTS Writing Lesson 7Â For IELTS Writing Task 1, 2 & Sample Answers
TIME ALLOWED: 1 hour
WRITING TASK I
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
    You booked a Two-week holiday to Sydney with Fly-by-Night Travel. You are not happy with the holiday—the flight was delayed, the hotel was noisy, and so on.
  Write to Fly-by-Night Travel to complain about the holiday giving details about the problems. Request some compensation or refund.
You should write at least 150 words.
WRITING TASK 2
You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task.
As part of a class assignment you have been asked to write about the following topic.
   In many countries the problem of drug-taking is increasing. Governments and the general public are particularly concerned about young people using illegal drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy and heroin.
    What methods could be used to prevent young people from taking drugs? Is it appropriate to send young drug-users to prison?
    Give reasons for your answer
You should write at least 250 words.
ANSWER KEY
TASK 1: This letter makes a complaint.
Dear Mr. Jenkins,
    I am writing to complain about my recent holiday in Sydney which was organized by your company. My wife and I selected the two-week Women’s Weekly tour starting on 29 December. Your agency claimed we would be picked up at the airport, and that the hotel was three-star quality. The all-inclusive price we paid included breakfast and dinner and two excursions.
     On arrival at the airport, there was no one to meet us. We waited for half an hour and then had no choice except to take a taxi. This cost $30. The receipt is enclosed.
    The hotel was not what 1 would consider three-star. The room was ditty, the beds were small and uncomfortable. The breakfast portions were very small, and the hotel refused to provide us with dinner. We had to spend a further $500 on extra meals. Again, I enclose our restaurant receipts.
      I find it dishonest and unacceptable that your company sold us a tour which in no way resembled the description, and my wife and I expect to be compensated for all our extra expenses. The receipts which arc enclosed total 5530. In addition, we claim a refund of $100 because the room was not up to the promised standard. Wc expect to receive your cheque for $630 very soon.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. I. Rate
TASK 2
To answer this question in a relevant way you have to:
• suggest how young people could be discouraged from taking drugs
• say whether it is a good idea to send drug users co prison and give reasons.
Sample AnswerÂ
There have been several anti-drug campaigns in Europe, but they have had generally little or no success. I feel that it is very difficult to stop teenagers experimenting with illegal drugs.
Methods to educate young people about drugs are usually ineffective for a couple of reasons. First of all, these films or talks are designed and presented by authority figures such as teachers or the police. Generally, teenagers react against these people and reject their values. Secondly, the information is often inaccurate and the teenagers actually think they know more about drugs titan the ‘experts’.
In addition, anti-drug campaigns are often designed by the wrong people. In Britain recently, one anti-drug campaign featured photographs and posters of drug- users. These photographs were supposed to show how unattractive (thin and pale) drug addicts become. In fact, many teenage girls admired the boy featured and used the pester as a pin-up. They thought he was exciting and glamorous. It would be belter if anti-drug campaigns were designed by ex-addicts or teenagers with drug problems.
Another thing which is supposed to deter young dmg-users is the threat of long prison sentences. In my opinion, this is a waste of money and ineffective. Fear of arrest and imprisonment will not deter young people. Young people like to take risks. Also, if they are sent to prison they will meet serious criminals and learn more about crime. They will also develop an anti-social attitude. It is very expensive to put someone in prison and should only be used as a punishment for people who are a danger to society. Drug-use is only harm themselves, not other people.
So, I can only conclude that no current methods from campaigns to jail sentences are effective As the drug problem seems to be increasing everywhere, I think governments need to work hauler to find a realistic solution.
