Writing

Welcome back to IELTS TIME! I’m your host, Archer. Today we’re exploring a Part 1 topic: writing. At first, it might seem simple, but there’s a lot you can say about how you write, what you like or dislike, and how your writing habits have changed over time. In this episode, you’ll hear a dialogue with our regular contributor Joseph, who answers eight common questions on writing in a natural and grounded way. After the dialogue, I’ll go over each answer and share an alternative perspective so you can respond confidently based on your own experience. Let’s jump in.

Do you write a lot?

Not really, no. My writing is mostly functional, so it’s all about what I need to do for work or for my studies. I spend a lot of time typing up reports, emails, or taking notes in class. Outside of that, I don’t really do much writing for fun.

What kinds of things do you like to write, and why?

I guess the only thing I truly enjoy writing is a good to-do list. I know it sounds simple, but I find it really satisfying to organize my thoughts and plan out my day on paper. It helps me stay on top of things and makes me feel more in control. Other than that, I don’t really have a passion for writing anything else.

When writing, do you prefer typing or handwriting?

I definitely prefer typing. It’s just so much quicker and more practical for me, especially for longer tasks like essays or reports. My handwriting isn’t the neatest, so being able to type things out makes my work look more professional and easier to read. Handwriting is really only for quick notes or signing documents.

Did you enjoy writing when you were a child?

I was never really a fan of it, to be honest. I was much more into things like drawing or playing sports. I mean, I would do my homework, of course, but I never kept a diary or wrote stories for fun. I just didn’t find it as engaging as other activities.

Do you think the things you write will change in the future?

I think so, yeah. As I get further into my career, I’m sure my writing will become more specialized. It’ll probably be focused on things like professional correspondence, project proposals, and technical documents. It won’t be creative, but it will be important for what I do every day.

How important do you think handwriting is nowadays?

I think it’s a skill that’s becoming less and less important. Most of our daily communication is digital, so we’re typing on our phones and computers more than we’re writing by hand. I still think it has its place for personal things like cards or letters, but for day-to-day life, it’s not as crucial as it used to be.

In your opinion, will emails replace letter writing?

They pretty much already have in the professional world, but I don’t think they’ll completely replace traditional letters. Emails are fast and efficient for business, but there’s a certain feeling you get from a handwritten letter or card that an email can’t replicate. So, for special occasions, I think letter writing will always stick around.

Do you prefer speaking to people by phone or communicating by email?

I definitely prefer speaking on the phone, especially if it’s a quick question or something that needs a discussion. It’s so much easier to get your point across and avoid miscommunications. Emails are great for keeping records or for things that aren’t urgent, but for getting things done quickly, a phone call is always better.

That was a fantastic example of a solid Part 1 performance. Joseph kept his answers natural and grounded, even without having a passion for the topic. Now, let’s go over each answer and give you a different perspective to work with.

For the first question, “Do you write a lot?”, Joseph answered honestly, saying he doesn’t do it much for fun. This is relatable and grounded. An alternative answer, for someone who enjoys writing, could be: “Oh yes, I do. I’m a bit of a writer, actually. I love writing short stories and poetry in my spare time, so I’m almost always jotting things down in my notebook or on my laptop.” This shows passion and gives you a lot to talk about.

Moving on to “What kinds of things do you like to write, and why?”, Joseph focused on to-do lists, which is realistic for many people who don’t enjoy creative writing. If you’re more of an academic or professional type, you could say: “I’m not much of a creative writer, but I enjoy writing well-structured reports and summaries. I like the challenge of taking a lot of information and making it clear and concise for others to understand. It’s a very practical kind of writing.”

Next up, “When writing, do you prefer typing or handwriting?”. Joseph’s answer was practical and to the point. For those who prefer handwriting, a good response might be: “I definitely prefer handwriting. I find it more personal and it helps me think more deeply. Typing is great for speed, but when I want to really connect with my thoughts, nothing beats a pen and paper.”

For “How important do you think handwriting is nowadays?”, Joseph offered a balanced view. If you feel it’s still very important, you could say: “I think it’s still very important, especially for younger people. Research shows that writing things down by hand helps you remember things better and improves cognitive skills. It’s a fundamental skill, even in a digital age.”

“Did you enjoy writing when you were a child?” is a great way to talk about the past. Joseph said no, and that’s perfectly fine. If you did enjoy it, a good answer would be: “Yes, I did. I used to be a huge fan of writing in my diary. I would write about my day, my friends, and my dreams. It was a private space for me to express myself, and I have some of those old diaries to this day.”

For “Do you think the things you write will change in the future?”, Joseph talked about his career path. Another solid option for this future-focused question is: “I really hope so. Right now, most of my writing is for my university classes, but in the future, I want to start a blog about my travels. It’s a completely different style of writing, and I’m excited to try it out.”

“In your opinion, will emails replace letter writing?” is an opinion question. Joseph’s answer was a great example of showing a nuanced view. If you think emails have mostly replaced them, you could say: “I think for the most part, yes, they already have. Emails are just too fast and convenient for daily communication. It’s hard to imagine a world where we’d go back to only writing letters for things like job applications or business inquiries.”

Finally, for “Do you prefer speaking to people by phone or communicating by email?”, the best way to answer is by explaining when you use each. Joseph’s answer was a great example of this. If you prefer email, a response could be: “I prefer email, actually. I like having a written record of my conversations, especially for work or school. It’s also nice to have the time to think about what I want to say and make sure it’s clear before I hit send. I find phone calls can be a bit more chaotic.”

And that’s a wrap on today’s episode all about writing. Whether you enjoy putting pen to paper or mostly write because it’s required for work or study, the key is to answer naturally and confidently. Joseph’s responses showed how you can talk about writing in a grounded, relatable way, and the alternative perspectives give you options to adapt to your own experience. Keep practicing, and you’ll feel much more comfortable discussing writing in any IELTS context. Thanks for listening to IELTS TIME, and I’ll catch you in the next episode.