LanguageCert General Writing
In short
LanguageCert General Writing has two tasks in 45 minutes: a 100–150 word neutral or formal piece (a letter, email, report or review) responding to a short text, then a 150–200 word informal piece (an email to a friend, a story or an informal article). There's no essay. Task 1 is worth 40% and Task 2 60%.
General Writing tests whether you can write for real people: an official, a company, a friend. The two tasks deliberately switch register, from neutral or formal in Task 1 to informal in Task 2, and judging that switch is a big part of the marks.
If you've prepared for IELTS or for LanguageCert Academic, note that there's no discursive essay anywhere in General. Task 2 is personal and informal: a story for a college magazine, or an email giving a friend advice.
Format, part by part
45 minutes for both tasks. Task 2 is worth more (60%), so give it more of the time.
Task 1: Neutral or formal piece (100–150 words, 40%)
You read a short text, such as an advert, a notice or a survey request, and write to a named reader: a letter, email, report or review. The prompt lists three points you must cover.
How to approach it: Cover the three points in the order they're given, one paragraph each. Keep the tone polite and neutral: no slang, but no need for very formal phrases either.
Task 2: Informal piece (150–200 words, 60%)
An informal email to a friend or colleague, a story or description, or an informal article, for a stated purpose and reader. There are two content points to cover.
How to approach it: Write as you'd talk to that person: contractions, direct questions and a friendly opening and close are right here. Still cover both content points fully.
How it differs from LanguageCert Academic Writing
- Task 2 is informal: an email, a story or an informal article. Academic Task 2 is a formal discursive essay.
- Task 1 responds to a short text with three set points. Academic Task 1 starts from a chart or infographic and needs your opinion.
- It's shorter: 100–150 and 150–200 words in 45 minutes, against 150–200 and about 250 words in 50 minutes for Academic.
- The register changes between the tasks. In Academic, both tasks are formal.
Taking the other one? Read the LanguageCert Academic Writing guide
How it’s scored
Each task is marked on four criteria, each from 0 to 8. Task 1 counts for 40% of your Writing score and Task 2 for 60%.
Task Achievement
Whether you covered every content point, for the right reader, in the right tone. Under-length answers are marked down here.
Accuracy and Range of Grammar
The range, appropriacy and accuracy of your grammar.
Accuracy and Range of Vocabulary
Range, accuracy and appropriacy of your words, including spelling. Generic words like 'nice' and 'good' limit this score.
Organisation (Coherence)
How clearly your ideas link together, and how accurate your punctuation is.
Off-topic writing gets no credit. In a published C1 sample, an answer that covered all three Task 1 points still lost marks because the examiner wanted more examples and detail.
Model answer: Task 2
Our own Task 2 prompt and the opening of a strong answer. Notice the register: this is a friend, not an official.
The task
Your friend Sam is starting a new job next week and has emailed asking for advice. Write an email to Sam. In your email: • give Sam some advice for the first week • tell Sam about your own first week in a new job. Write 150–200 words.
Opening of a strong answer
Hi Sam, Great news about the job! I'm sure you'll be brilliant. My main advice is simple: ask loads of questions in the first few days. Nobody expects you to know how everything works yet, and people usually love being asked for help. Oh, and learn names as fast as you can. I used to write them down on my phone after every meeting! My own first week was a bit of a disaster, to be honest...
Why
- The tone fits a friend: contractions, an exclamation, a light personal aside. That's Task Achievement for an informal task.
- The first content point (advice) is covered in its own paragraph, and the last line clearly opens the second (your own first week).
- 'Loads of' and 'a bit of a disaster' are informal phrases used correctly. They'd be wrong in Task 1.
- Specific advice (write names down after meetings) gives the detail examiners look for, rather than a generic 'be confident'.
B2 vs C1: the same Task 1, two answers
Two answers we wrote to one Task 1 prompt: the first to match LanguageCert's B2 writing descriptors, the second to match C1. Both cover all three points and fit the word count. The difference is in how well each point is developed.
The task
Your town council plans to turn the car park behind the high street into a small public garden, and has asked residents for their views. Write an email to the council. In your email: • explain how you use the town centre now • say what you think of the plan • make one suggestion for the new garden. Write 100–150 words.
B2 answer
60–74 on the LanguageCert scale
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing about the plan to change the car park behind the high street into a garden. I live near the town centre and I go there two or three times a week for shopping. Usually I walk, but sometimes I use the car park when I need to buy a lot of things. I think the plan is good, because the town centre doesn't have many green places and people need somewhere to relax. However, I am worried that it will be more difficult to park, specially for older people. My suggestion is to put some benches and a small playground for children, so families can stay there more time. Thank you for reading my email. Yours faithfully, Ana Silva
C1 answer
75–89 on the LanguageCert scale
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing in response to your request for residents' views on the proposed garden behind the high street. As someone who lives within walking distance of the centre, I visit two or three times a week, mainly on foot, although I rely on the car park for larger shopping trips. On the whole, I welcome the plan. The centre has very little green space, and a garden would give shoppers and office workers somewhere to sit rather than simply pass through. My one reservation concerns parking: unless alternative spaces are provided nearby, older residents in particular may find the centre harder to reach. As for the garden itself, I would suggest shaded seating and a small play area, which would encourage families to stay longer and, in turn, benefit local shops. Yours faithfully, Ana Silva
What separates them, criterion by criterion
Task Achievement
B2
All three points are there, each in a sentence or two: the plan is 'good', parking will be 'more difficult'.
C1
The same three points, each developed: why a garden helps ('somewhere to sit rather than simply pass through'), what would fix the concern ('unless alternative spaces are provided'), who benefits ('local shops'). LanguageCert's examiners ask for exactly this kind of detail at C1.
Accuracy and Range of Grammar
B2
Accurate, but built from simple sentences joined with 'and', 'but' and 'so'.
C1
A wider range, all controlled: 'As someone who lives within walking distance…', a condition with 'unless', a non-defining clause ('which would encourage families…').
Accuracy and Range of Vocabulary
B2
Two slips: 'specially' should be 'especially', and 'stay there more time' should be 'stay longer'. 'Doesn't' is too informal for an email to a council.
C1
Precise and consistently neutral-formal: 'I welcome the plan', 'my one reservation concerns', 'in turn'.
Organisation (Coherence)
B2
One point per paragraph, which is right, but it ends on a filler line ('Thank you for reading my email').
C1
Opens by referring to the council's request, and each paragraph is signposted ('On the whole', 'As for the garden itself').
Covering the three points gets you to B2. Getting to C1 means developing each one with a reason, a condition or a consequence, in a register that stays formal from greeting to sign-off.
Common mistakes that cost marks
Missing a content point
LanguageCert's tips say to cover every point, one by one and in order, or you will lose marks under Task Achievement. Task 1 has three points and Task 2 has two.
Writing Task 2 like an essay
There's no essay in General. A formal, argued essay in answer to an informal prompt misses the task.
The wrong tone for the reader
Task 1 is neutral or formal; Task 2 is informal. Using the same register for both costs marks under Task Achievement and Vocabulary.
Going under the word count
Less than 100 words in Task 1 or 150 in Task 2 is marked down. Going far over earns nothing and adds mistakes.
Repeating 'good', 'nice' and 'and then'
LanguageCert's tips warn against generic words and say to vary linking words. Both affect the Vocabulary and Organisation scores.
On the day
- Typed on computer at a test centre, after Listening and Reading.
- Writing is marked by trained LanguageCert examiners.
- British and American spelling are both accepted. Just be consistent.
- Official results arrive in 5 working days.
Try a practice task
A real practice task in the exam’s format. Sign up to write a response and get AI feedback on every criterion.
A faulty laptop
Read the advertisement below. Write an email of 100–150 words to the shop's customer service manager. In your email you must: explain when and where you bought the laptop, describe the problem you are having, and say what you want the shop to do about it.
CITY TECH — CLEARANCE WEEKEND All laptops reduced. 12-month warranty included on every machine. Questions after purchase? Email our customer service manager, Mr Whitfield.
Target length: 100–150 words.
FAQ
How many words is LanguageCert General Writing?
100–150 words for Task 1 and 150–200 words for Task 2, in 45 minutes.
Is there an essay in LanguageCert General Writing?
No. Task 1 is a short letter, email, report or review; Task 2 is an informal email, a story or description, or an informal article.
Can I use contractions in General Writing?
In Task 2, yes: it's informal, and contractions suit an email to a friend. In Task 1, keep to a neutral or formal style.
How is LanguageCert General Writing marked?
Each task on Task Achievement, Grammar, Vocabulary and Organisation, 0–8 each. Task 1 is weighted at 40% and Task 2 at 60%.
What's the difference between a B2 and a C1 answer in General Writing?
Both cover every content point. A C1 answer develops each one with a reason, condition or consequence, uses more precise vocabulary, and keeps the register right from greeting to sign-off.
Does the word count change with my level?
No. General is one test for every level from A2 to C1, and the word counts are the same for everyone.
Related guides
Practise it: LanguageCert Writing practice test with instant marking
Practise LanguageCert General Writing
Your first Writing task is marked free, with a comment on each criterion.
Sources
Checked against LanguageCert’s own handbooks and exam pages in October 2026.