IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training: Letter Writing Guide

Quick Answer: For IELTS Writing Task 1 General, you must write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter of at least 150 words in 20 minutes. Key to success is using the correct tone, structure (salutation, body, sign-off), and including all bullet points from the prompt. Practice with real prompts and examiner-approved vocabulary.

Table of Contents

What is IELTS Writing Task 1 General?

Letter Types & Tones

Essential Letter Structure

Band Score Comparison

Real Examples from Band 7 to 9

Common Mistakes

Pro Tips from IELTS Active

How IELTS Active Helps

FAQ

Key Takeaways

What is IELTS Writing Task 1 General?

In the IELTS General Training Writing test, Task 1 requires you to write a letter based on a given situation. You have 20 minutes to produce at least 150 words. The letter could be formal (to someone you don’t know), semi-formal (to a colleague or acquaintance), or informal (to a friend or family member). The prompt will list three bullet points you must cover.

Many test-takers lose points because they ignore the required tone or fail to address all points. The key is to read the prompt carefully, decide the relationship with the recipient, and use appropriate language. For example, a complaint letter to a manager should be formal, while a letter to a friend about a holiday can be informal.

The assessment criteria are the same as Academic Task 1: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. However, the focus in General Training is on your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations.

Letter Types & Tones

There are three main types of letter tones in IELTS General:

1. Formal Letter – For unknown recipients like a company, bank, or landlord. Use full titles (Dear Sir/Madam, Yours faithfully), no contractions, and polite requests. 2. Semi-Formal Letter – For people you know but are not close to, like a neighbour, boss, or teacher. Use Dear Mr/Ms + surname, and a respectful but friendly tone. 3. Informal Letter – For friends or family. Use first names, contractions, and casual language like “Thanks for your letter.”

Common letter purposes include:

Complaint (formal)

Request for information (formal or semi-formal)

Invitation (informal)

Apology (semi-formal or informal)

Thank you (informal)

Job application (formal)

Make sure to match the ending: “Yours faithfully” (Dear Sir/Madam), “Yours sincerely” (named recipient in formal), “Best regards” (semi-formal), “Love” or “Best wishes” (informal).

Essential Letter Structure

Every letter must follow a clear paragraph structure:

Opening: Salutation and purpose. “Dear..., I am writing to...”

Body Paragraph 1: Address bullet point 1.

Body Paragraph 2: Address bullet point 2.

Body Paragraph 3: Address bullet point 3.

Closing: Summary of next steps or polite ending. “I look forward to your reply.” Then sign-off.

Use linking words like “Firstly”, “Furthermore”, “Finally” to improve coherence. Keep paragraphs short (2-4 sentences). Do not write addresses – that wastes time.

Band Score Comparison

Band	Score	What Examiner Wants
6	6.0	The letter addresses all bullet points but may have unclear tone, limited vocabulary, or some grammatical errors.
7	7.0	Good tone consistency, covers all points, uses a range of vocabulary and sentence structures with few errors.
8	8.0	Full task achievement, precise tone, varied vocabulary and complex sentences, high accuracy.
9	9.0	Flawless letter with natural tone, sophisticated vocabulary, perfect grammar, and total coherence.

Real Examples

Band 7 Response: Prompt: You recently bought a shirt online that was the wrong size. Write a letter to the company. Explain what happened, ask for a replacement, and request faster delivery.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to complain about a shirt I ordered from your website last week (order #12345). Unfortunately, when it arrived yesterday, the size was medium, not large as I requested.

I would like to ask you to replace it with the correct size. Please send a large size as soon as possible. Since this was a birthday gift for my father, I would also appreciate faster delivery this time.

Thank you for your help. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully, John Smith

Band 8 Response: Same prompt.

Dear Customer Service Manager,

I wish to express my dissatisfaction regarding a shirt I purchased from your online store (order #12345) on 10th October. Upon receiving it yesterday, I discovered that the size delivered was medium, whereas I had clearly selected large.

Could you kindly arrange an exchange for the correct size? Given that this item was intended as a birthday present for my father, I would be grateful if you could expedite the replacement delivery.

I trust that you will rectify this error promptly. Please confirm the shipping details.

Yours faithfully, John Smith

Band 9 Response: Same prompt.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to bring to your attention an error in my recent order from your website. On 10th October, I placed order #12345 for a blue shirt in size large. However, what arrived yesterday was a medium-sized shirt.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could arrange for a replacement of the correct size at your earliest convenience. Since the shirt was purchased as a birthday gift for my father, which is next week, I would be obliged if you could dispatch the replacement using expedited shipping.

Please inform me of the next steps. I look forward to receiving the correct item soon. Thank you for your understanding and prompt action.

Yours faithfully, John Smith

Common Mistakes

❌Mistake 1: Using the wrong tone – e.g., using “Dear Sir” for a friend. Always check the relationship.

❌Mistake 2: Not covering all bullet points – you must address each one fully, or lose marks for Task Achievement.

❌Mistake 3: Writing too many paragraphs or including unnecessary details. Stay focused and within 150-180 words.

Pro Tips from IELTS Active

Tip 1: Before writing, decide the tone in 10 seconds. If the recipient is named and you know them, use semi-formal or informal. If unnamed, formal.

Tip 2: Use a variety of sentence structures: simple, compound, complex. For band 7+, include a conditional clause or relative clause.

Tip 3: Avoid copying the exact words from the prompt. Instead, paraphrase using synonyms. For example, “I want to complain” → “I wish to express my dissatisfaction”.

How IELTS Active Helps

At IELTS Active, we know that mastering letter writing requires practice and feedback. Our website ieltsactive.com offers free sample letters with detailed examiner comments, vocabulary lists for formal/informal situations, and timed writing exercises. You can also join our community to get your letters reviewed by peers and instructors. Start today and boost your score!

FAQ

Q: Is it true that I should write more than 150 words? A: Yes, write 150-180 words. Writing much less loses marks; writing much more risks errors and time loss. Q: Do I need to write addresses in the letter? A: No. The instruction says “You do not need to write any addresses.” Use that time for content. Q: How can I improve my letter writing quickly? A: Practice with 10-15 prompts, write under 20 minutes, then compare your letter with high band samples. Focus on tone and bullet points. Q: Can I use contractions in formal letters? A: No. Use “I am” not “I’m”, “do not” not “don’t”. In informal letters, contractions are fine. Q: What if I don’t know the recipient’s name? A: Use “Dear Sir or Madam” and end with “Yours faithfully”.

Key Takeaways

✅Always determine the correct tone (formal/semi-formal/informal) based on the recipient.

✅Cover all three bullet points in separate paragraphs.

✅Use appropriate salutations and sign-offs.

✅Keep the letter concise, 150-180 words, with varied vocabulary and grammar.

About IELTS Active: Trusted by 500,000+ students. Get free practice tests and letter writing guides at ieltsactive.com Related:

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