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Writing practice test 1 possible answer (General Training)

Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A family member is coming to stay with you. He/she will be arriving by train in the morning, but you won’t be home until the evening.

Write a letter to your relative. In your letter:

  • explain arrangements you have made for them to have keys and get into the house
  • tell your relative how to get from the train station to your house
  • say when you will be home and suggest what you could do together that evening

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear…

Write at least 150 words.


Dear Uncle John,

I am so excited that you’ll soon be here! I’m sorry that I won’t be there to meet you at the station – I have a work meeting I really have to go to but I’ve left the keys with David. Just go and see him so you can let yourself in. I’m sure you remember, but he’s the man living at number 21. Make yourself at home – there will be food in the fridge and your bed will be made.

The easiest way to get to the house is to jump in a taxi –it’s not expensive and the buses are so unreliable! I was thinking that when I get back we could perhaps go out for dinner? I’ll be back no later than six, so we could go to that restaurant we went to last time you came.

Well, I think that’s everything. It’s going to be great catching up!

Safe trip,

Patrick

(155 words)


Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In some countries, people who commit less serious crimes are made to undertake community service* instead of a prison sentence. Some people believe that all people who have committed a crime should be sent to prison.

Do you agree or disagree?
*compulsory work helping the community, such as decorating public facilities, which they must carry out in their spare time for a given period.\


There are certain situations in which the law has been broken where it is more appropriate to sentence the guilty party to community service rather than time in jail as the following essay explains.

Firstly, the penal system in many countries is under pressure. In many cultures, crime rates are increasing, exacerbating this problem. Funding of correctional institutions is expensive and many believe that money spent would be better utilised in other areas, such as healthcare. It would be unacceptable for some criminals who pose a risk to society, such as murderers, to retain their freedom; however, demands on the prison system can be eased if minor criminals, shoplifters for example, are punished in a different fashion.

Community service is a viable alternative to a prison sentence, not only to ease the financial burden of a country’s crime and punishment system, but also because while offenders are punished by having to sacrifice their free time, they also make a contribution to society. For example, if community service involved renovation of a youth centre in a deprived area, the local people could benefit enormously and costs of providing the facility would be decreased due to the free labour provided by those carrying out community service.

Admittedly, prison sentences for all crimes could reduce the incidence of crime over the long-term; however, many offenders may not be discouraged from breaking the law regardless of potential punishment as they may believe that they will never actually be caught.

To summarise, though prison sentences for all crimes could reduce the number of offences, there are stronger arguments for not imprisoning all offenders.

(268 words)


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Writing practice test 1 possible answer (General Training)

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Writing practice test 1 possible answer (General Training)