IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training letter
IELTS General Training Task 1 asks you to write a letter of 150+ words in 20 minutes. The task gives you a scenario, a recipient, and three bullet points you must address. Most letters are formal complaints, semi-formal requests, or informal invitations or updates.
Two things drop scores the most: wrong tone for the relationship described, and bullet points that are addressed but not developed. This guide gives you the register system, a scored sample, and the exact vocabulary to match each letter type.
What the examiner scores
- Task Achievement -- Did you address all bullet points with enough detail? Is the purpose clear from the start?
- Coherence and Cohesion -- Does each paragraph have a clear function? Do sentences connect logically?
- Lexical Resource -- Is vocabulary appropriate to the register? Do you avoid repetition?
- Grammatical Range -- Do you use a mix of sentence structures accurately?
The fastest route to Band 7
- Identify the register from the scenario before writing a word.
- State the reason for writing in the first sentence.
- Give each bullet point its own paragraph or clearly distinct section.
- Develop each bullet point with cause, effect, or request -- not just a statement.
- Match sign-off exactly to your opening salutation.
The three-register system
Every IELTS GT letter falls into one of three registers. Choosing the right one is the single most important decision you make before writing.
Use when: writing to a company, manager, landlord, newspaper, or organization you have no personal relationship with.
Salutation: Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Mr. Chen / Dear Ms. Okonkwo
Sign-off: Yours faithfully (unknown) / Yours sincerely (named)
Avoid: contractions, colloquial phrases, personal anecdotes beyond what the task requires
Use when: writing to a known colleague, an acquaintance, or a professional contact you are on first-name terms with.
Salutation: Dear James / Dear Dr. Nguyen
Sign-off: Kind regards / Best regards
Contractions: sparingly acceptable
Use when: writing to a friend, neighbour, family member, or close acquaintance.
Salutation: Dear Sarah / Hi Tom
Sign-off: Best wishes / Take care / Looking forward to seeing you
Style: contractions expected; personal, warm, conversational
The 4-paragraph structure
Opening (1-2 sentences)
State the reason for writing immediately. Do not warm up with pleasantries for formal letters. For informal letters, a brief personal note ("I hope you're doing well") is acceptable but keep it to one sentence.
Body paragraph 1 -- first bullet point
Address the first bullet with 30-40 words. State the point, explain the context or impact, and add a specific detail. Never cover a bullet in one short sentence.
Body paragraph 2 -- remaining bullet points
If the task gives you two more bullets, group them in one paragraph (or give each its own). Make sure each one is clearly addressed and not blended into a vague paragraph.
Closing (1-2 sentences)
End with a forward-looking statement: what you hope will happen next, when you are available, or a warm closing for informal. Then add the sign-off appropriate to your register.
Scored sample: Band 6 vs Band 7
Task: "You recently ordered a product online, but it arrived damaged. Write a letter to the company. Explain what you ordered, describe the damage, and say what you want the company to do."
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing because I have a problem with an order I made. I ordered a laptop three weeks ago. The laptop arrived but it was damaged. The screen has a crack and the keyboard does not work.
I am very unhappy with this situation. I want you to send me a new laptop or give me a refund.
I am waiting for your reply.
Yours faithfully,
A. Student
- Correct register (formal) and correct sign-off -- good.
- All three bullets touched, but development is minimal: no order number, no purchase date, no specific impact of the damage.
- Final request is correct but flat: no escalation phrase, no deadline, no preferred resolution path.
- Vocabulary is basic and repeated: "laptop" appears three times in two sentences.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to report a problem with an order I placed on your website on 4 April (Order #48271). I purchased a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop at the advertised price of CA$1,250, with a confirmed delivery window of five to seven business days.
When the parcel arrived on 12 April, I discovered that the device had been significantly damaged in transit. The screen bears a visible crack across the lower left corner, which renders it partially unusable, and several keys on the keyboard are unresponsive. The outer packaging also showed clear signs of impact, suggesting the damage occurred during shipping rather than at the point of dispatch.
I would appreciate either a full replacement or a complete refund at your earliest convenience. I am available to return the damaged item once a prepaid shipping label has been provided. I hope this matter can be resolved within the next five business days.
Yours faithfully,
A. Student
- All three bullets fully developed: what was ordered (with specifics), damage described (with location and impact), request stated (with two options and a timeline).
- Formal register maintained throughout: no contractions, appropriate vocabulary ("bears a visible crack," "at your earliest convenience").
- Specific details prevent vagueness: order number, date, price, delivery window.
- Closing is active, not passive: states availability, asks for next step, sets a timeline.
Register vocabulary comparison
| Function | Formal | Semi-formal | Informal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open the letter | "I am writing to inform you that..." | "I'm writing about..." | "Just wanted to let you know that..." |
| Make a request | "I would be grateful if you could..." | "Could you please..." | "Would you mind... / Could you..." |
| Complain | "I wish to draw your attention to..." | "I wanted to mention an issue with..." | "I was a bit annoyed because..." |
| Apologise | "I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience..." | "I'm sorry about the confusion..." | "I'm really sorry -- I should have..." |
| Suggest | "I would like to suggest that..." | "I think it might be worth..." | "Why don't we... / You could always..." |
| Close the letter | "I look forward to hearing from you." | "Please do get in touch if you need anything." | "Speak soon! / Can't wait to catch up." |
How to develop any bullet point
Every bullet point is an instruction to do one communicative act. Add three layers to make each one reach Band 7 depth.
| Layer | Question to ask yourself | Example (damaged product) |
|---|---|---|
| State | What happened? | "The screen has a crack across the lower left corner." |
| Impact | What effect does it have? | "This makes the device partially unusable for daily work tasks." |
| Context | When, how, or under what circumstances? | "The outer packaging also showed clear signs of impact, suggesting the damage occurred during shipping." |
Common mistakes and fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Formal letter that uses contractions ("I'm writing," "it's") | Reserve contractions for informal letters only. Expand all contractions in formal letters. |
| Opening sentence paraphrases the task instead of stating the purpose | "I am writing to complain about / request / inform you of..." -- purpose stated in sentence 1. |
| One bullet point covered in a single sentence while others get two full paragraphs | Each bullet should receive 30-50 words. Balance your development deliberately. |
| Tone shift mid-letter (formal opening, then suddenly casual vocabulary) | Choose the register before you write. If formal, every sentence stays formal. |
| "Yours faithfully" used with a named salutation | "Dear Sir or Madam" + "Yours faithfully" / "Dear Ms. Roberts" + "Yours sincerely" |
| Closing is passive ("I am waiting for your reply") | Add an active element: state a preferred timeline, offer next steps, or invite contact: "I look forward to hearing from you within five business days." |
Timing plan for 20 minutes
| Stage | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Read and plan | 2 minutes | Identify register, list what each bullet asks you to do, note one specific detail per bullet. |
| Opening | 2 minutes | Write salutation and purpose sentence. Keep it concise. |
| Body | 12 minutes | One paragraph per bullet or group of related bullets. Use State + Impact + Context for each. |
| Closing + review | 4 minutes | Write closing line and sign-off, then check register consistency, bullet coverage, and word count. |
Next step
FAQ
What is the main goal in IELTS General Training Task 1?
The main goal is to write a letter that achieves its stated purpose clearly. That means: the reader immediately understands why you are writing, every bullet point is addressed with enough detail, and the tone stays appropriate from salutation to sign-off. Missing one bullet point or using the wrong register will drop your Task Achievement score immediately.
How do I know if the letter should be formal or informal?
Look at the recipient and the relationship. A letter to a company, manager, landlord, or organization you have no personal connection with is formal. A letter to a colleague or someone you know professionally is semi-formal. A letter to a friend, neighbour, or relative is informal. The scenario in the task always contains enough clues to make this decision clearly.
What lowers the score in IELTS Task 1 letters?
The three most common score drops are: (1) wrong tone throughout or tone drift mid-letter, (2) one bullet point addressed in only one sentence while others get full paragraphs, and (3) a vague or indirect opening that buries the reason for writing. All three are avoidable with a structured plan before you write.
How many words does the IELTS General Training Task 1 letter need?
The minimum is 150 words. Aim for 170-190 words. Going slightly over 200 is fine, but writing 250+ words usually means some bullet points are over-developed while others are underdeveloped. The examiner rewards accurate coverage and tone more than word count.
Can I use contractions in an IELTS General Training letter?
In informal letters, yes -- contractions ('I'm writing to let you know,' 'I'd love it if') are expected and sound natural. In semi-formal letters, use them sparingly. In formal letters, avoid them entirely ('I am writing,' 'I would be grateful'). Using contractions in a formal letter is a register error that lowers your Lexical Resource score.
Do I need to give my address and date in the IELTS GT letter?
No. The IELTS examiner does not mark the letterhead. Do not write your address, the recipient's address, or the date -- they waste time and word count. Start directly with the salutation (Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Mr. Smith / Dear Sarah).
What sign-offs should I use for each register?
For formal letters: 'Yours faithfully' (when you used 'Dear Sir or Madam') or 'Yours sincerely' (when you used a name). For semi-formal: 'Kind regards' or 'Best regards.' For informal: 'Best wishes,' 'Take care,' 'Looking forward to seeing you,' or similar. Never use 'Yours faithfully' in an informal letter -- it sounds bizarre and signals a register error.
How do I develop a bullet point that seems too simple?
Every bullet point in the task is an instruction to do something: explain, ask, suggest, describe, apologise, request. If the bullet says 'explain why you are unhappy,' do not just state that you are unhappy -- explain the specific problem, describe the impact it has had, and say what you expected instead. Adding cause, effect, and expectation turns a one-sentence bullet into a paragraph.