Guide · Last updated 1 October 2026
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: The Letter
In General Training, Task 1 is a letter. Here is what the task asks for, how the examiner marks purpose, bullet points and tone, how to choose the right style, and three sample letters you can model yours on.
What does General Training Task 1 ask you to do?
You are given an everyday situation and asked to write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. The task tells you what to include as three bullet points, and depending on who the letter is for, it is “personal, semi-formal or formal in style”. You do not need to write any addresses.
IELTS gives these as typical situations: writing to a college accommodation officer about problems with your accommodation, to a new employer about managing your time, to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport, or to a renting agency about the heating in your house. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score, so keep the letter to its 20 minutes.
How is the letter marked?
On the same four criteria as every IELTS Writing task. The one that is particular to the letter is Task Achievement, which assesses whether you explain the purpose of the letter, fully address the three bullet points, extend them, use a suitable letter format and keep a tone that fits the task. This is how the band descriptors put the step from 6 to 7:
| Band 6 | Band 7 |
|---|---|
| “All bullet points are covered and adequately highlighted.” | “All bullet points are covered and clearly highlighted but could be more fully or more appropriately illustrated or extended.” |
| “The purpose is generally clear.” | “It presents a clear purpose.” |
| “There may be minor inconsistencies in tone.” | “The tone is consistent and appropriate to the task. Any lapses are minimal.” |
Two features are printed in bold at band 4, which means they limit the rating whatever else the letter does well: “Not all bullet points are presented” and “The tone may be inappropriate”. So the two checks that matter most are simple. Have you answered all three points, and does the letter sound right for its reader all the way through? The band 6 to 7 guide covers the other three criteria.
Should the letter be formal, semi-formal or informal?
It depends on who you are writing to and how well you are supposed to know them. The task ends by telling you how to begin, and that greeting shows you the style.
| You are writing to | Style | Begin and end |
|---|---|---|
| A company or official you do not know | Formal | Dear Sir or Madam, … Yours faithfully, |
| Someone you know by name but not personally: a manager, a landlord, a teacher | Semi-formal | Dear Mr Hossain, … Yours sincerely, |
| A friend or relative | Informal | Dear Sam, … Best wishes, |
The style then runs through every sentence. A formal letter uses full forms and polite, indirect requests: I would be grateful if you could. A letter to a friend uses contractions and direct, warm language: I’m so glad you’re coming. Mixing the two, such as ending a complaint to a company with “Take care”, is the inconsistency in tone that keeps a letter at band 6.
How should I structure the letter?
- The greeting the task gives you, on its own line.
- One opening sentence that says why you are writing. A formal letter states it directly: I am writing to complain about, to ask whether, to apply for.
- One paragraph for each bullet point, in the order they are given. Add a detail or a reason to each one; a point answered in a single short sentence is covered but not extended.
- A closing line that fits the purpose: what you expect to happen next, or a friendly goodbye.
- The sign-off that matches the greeting, then a name.
Sample 1: a formal letter of complaint
You recently bought a laptop from an online shop. When it arrived, it did not work properly.
Write a letter to the shop’s customer service manager. In your letter:
- describe what you ordered and when
- explain what is wrong with it
- say what you would like the shop to do
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Sample letter · 167 words
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to complain about a laptop I ordered from your website on 3 March, order number 48213, which was delivered last Friday.
The laptop looks undamaged, but it has two serious faults. The battery will not charge beyond 20%, even when it is left plugged in overnight, and the screen flickers whenever the brightness is turned up. I have followed the steps in the manual and updated the software, and neither problem has gone away. As I need the laptop for a course that starts next week, this is causing me real difficulty.
I would like you to replace it with a new one of the same model and to arrange for the faulty one to be collected at your expense. If a replacement cannot be delivered within seven days, I would prefer a full refund.
I have attached a copy of the receipt and two photographs of the screen. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Nadia Rahman
Each bullet point has its own paragraph, the purpose is in the first sentence, and the request is specific: a replacement, by a date, or a refund. There are no contractions, and the letter ends “Yours faithfully” because it began “Dear Sir or Madam”.
Sample 2: a semi-formal request to a manager
You work for a company and would like to attend a training course that would help you in your job.
Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
- describe the course
- explain how it would help you in your work
- suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr Hossain,
Sample letter · 174 words
Dear Mr Hossain,
I am writing to ask whether I could attend a three-day course on data analysis next month.
The course is run by the City Business School from 14 to 16 May. It covers spreadsheets, charts and writing short reports from sales figures, and it is designed for people who already use these tools but have never been trained in them.
I think it would make a real difference to my work. At the moment the monthly sales report takes me almost two days, mostly because I build every table by hand. The course teaches ways of automating that, so I could finish the report in a morning and give the rest of the time to customer accounts.
As for my absence, I have spoken to Farah, who is happy to take my customers’ calls on those three days, and I would finish the April report before I leave so that nothing is delayed.
I would be grateful if you could let me know whether this is possible.
Yours sincerely,
Imran Ali
The writer knows the reader by name, so the letter is polite without being stiff, and it closes “Yours sincerely”. The second and third points are extended with figures and a named colleague, which is what “clearly highlighted” and “extended” mean in practice.
Sample 3: an informal letter to a friend
A friend from another country is coming to stay with you next month. You will be at work when your friend arrives.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- explain why you cannot meet your friend at the airport
- give directions to your home
- say what you have planned for the visit
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sam,
Sample letter · 173 words
Dear Sam,
I’m so glad you’re finally coming! There’s one small problem, though. Your flight lands at two on Thursday afternoon and I’ll be stuck at work until six, so I won’t be able to meet you at the airport. I did ask for the day off, but two people in my team are away that week.
Getting to my flat is easy. Take the express train from the airport to Central Station, which takes about half an hour, then the number 12 bus from the stop outside the main entrance. Get off at the library, and my building is the white one directly opposite. My neighbour Mrs Lee in flat 3 has a spare key and is expecting you, so just ring her bell.
Have a rest when you get in, because I’ve got plenty planned. On Friday evening we’re going to the night market, and on Saturday I’ve booked a boat trip round the bay. Sunday is free, so bring your walking shoes.
See you on Thursday evening!
Best wishes,
Maya
Contractions, an exclamation and short direct sentences make the tone personal, and it stays personal to the last line. The directions are given as steps in order, which is what the second bullet point asks for.
Frequently asked questions
What is IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?
A letter. You are given an everyday situation and three bullet points, and you write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. Depending on who you are writing to, the letter is personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Do I need to write addresses or the date?
No. IELTS states that you do not need to write any addresses at the top of your letter, and the task instructions repeat it. Start with the greeting.
What happens if I miss one of the three bullet points?
It limits your Task Achievement band. In the band descriptors, “Not all bullet points are presented” is printed in bold at band 4, and bold marks features that limit a rating. Covering all three points, each in its own paragraph, is the first thing to check.
How do I know whether the letter should be formal or informal?
From who you are writing to. A company or official you do not know is formal; someone you know by name but not personally, such as a manager or landlord, is semi-formal; a friend or relative is informal. The task also tells you how to begin, and the greeting it gives shows the style.
Can I use contractions in the letter?
In a letter to a friend, yes: they are part of the personal style. In a formal or semi-formal letter, write the full forms. What the examiner looks for is a tone that suits the reader and stays the same from the greeting to the sign-off.
How many words should the letter be?
At least 150. IELTS says you are not penalised for writing more, but a longer Task 1 leaves less time for Task 2, which contributes twice as much to your Writing band. Around 160 to 190 words covers three bullet points comfortably.
Is Task 1 different in the Academic test?
Yes. Academic Task 1 asks you to describe a graph, chart, table, process or map. Task 2, the essay, is the same kind of task in both tests.
Write a letter and see your band
Practise General Training Task 1 and get a band for each of the four criteria, with the reasons. Free to start.
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