Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Writing Test 4

• Task 1: describe the chart/graph/table in your own words.
• Task 2: write an argumentative essay responding to the prompt.
• On submit, AI will score you on all 4 IELTS criteria with feedback.

Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Writing Test 4 brings together a Task 1 process diagram and a Task 2 direct-question essay, and managing the time split between them is half the challenge. Task 1 asks you to summarise the process for recycling plastic bottles. Task 2 then turns to a discursive prompt: In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless.

For a process, group the stages into two clear phases — typically input/preparation versus transformation/output — and lead the body with the phase that contains the most steps. Use the passive voice consistently and chain stages with sequencers like 'subsequently', 'once' and 'at this point' rather than counting 'firstly, secondly, thirdly'. Answer the question directly in the introduction and use each body paragraph to develop one main reason or example. Hedge sensibly with 'in many cases' or 'particularly' rather than absolutes — examiners reward measured argumentation.

Hold yourself to a hard twenty-minute Task 1 cap: planning two minutes, drafting fifteen, editing three. Move to Task 2 even if Task 1 feels unfinished, because the direct-question essay carries double the weight. Reserve the last six minutes for a single read-through across both answers — almost every band-7 candidate fixes at least two grammar slips during that final pass.

New to this skill? Read the Writing question types guide for tactics, scoring rules, and frequency analysis across Cambridge 10–20. Or browse all Writing practice tests.

Looking for written strategy? See the IELTS Blog for in-depth posts.