IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: A Step-by-Step Guide to Letter Writing

London IELTS

For busy professionals preparing for the IELTS General Training test, Writing Task 1 can be a challenge. It requires a different style of writing than you might be used to, and understanding the correct tone is crucial. However, with a clear, structured approach, you can master the art of letter writing and secure a high band score.

This guide will walk you through a simple, step-by-step process for writing a successful IELTS letter.

Understanding the Task

In General Training Writing Task 1, you are given a common, everyday situation and asked to write a letter about it. You need to write at least 150 words and should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Your letter must address three bullet points provided in the prompt.

First, Identify the Tone: Formal, Semi-Formal, or Informal?

Before you write a single word, you must identify the tone. This is determined by who you are writing to.

  1. Formal: Write a formal letter to someone you don’t know, or to an organisation. The purpose is often serious or official.
    • Examples: Applying for a job, complaining to a company, writing to a landlord you’ve never met.
    • Tone: Respectful, polite, and professional.
  2. Semi-Formal: Write a semi-formal letter to someone you know by name, but don’t have a close relationship with.
    • Examples: Writing to a co-worker, your university professor, or your neighbour.
    • Tone: Polite and respectful, but can be slightly warmer than a formal letter.
  3. Informal: Write an informal letter to a close friend or family member.
    • Examples: Inviting a friend to a party, apologising to a friend, asking a family member for help.
    • Tone: Relaxed, friendly, and conversational.

A Simple 4-Part Structure for Any Letter

No matter the tone, you can rely on this simple structure to ensure your letter is clear and well-organised.

1. The Opening

This is your greeting. It must match the tone.

  • Formal: Dear Sir/Madam, (if you don’t know their name) or Dear Mr. Smith,
  • Semi-Formal: Dear Mr. Brown,
  • Informal: Hi Sarah, or Dear Tom,

2. The Purpose

In your first short paragraph, state the clear reason for your letter.

  • Formal: I am writing to enquire about... or I am writing with regard to the advertisement in...
  • Informal: I'm just writing to ask if you could... or I hope you're well. I wanted to tell you about...

3. The Body Paragraphs

Address each of the three bullet points from the prompt in a separate, focused paragraph. This is the main part of your letter. Ensure you provide all the necessary information and details for each point.

4. The Closing

This is your sign-off. Like the opening, it must match the tone.

  • Formal: I look forward to hearing from you. followed by Yours faithfully, (if you started with Dear Sir/Madam,) or Yours sincerely, (if you used their name).
  • Semi-Formal: I look forward to your reply. followed by Best regards,
  • Informal: Hope to see you soon. followed by All the best, or Best wishes,

Putting It into Practice: A Sample Formal Letter

Let’s look at an example.

Prompt: You recently stayed in a hotel and you were not satisfied with the service. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter:

  • give the details of your stay
  • explain what problems you had
  • say what you want the manager to do

Model Letter:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my recent stay at your hotel. I stayed in Room 405 from the 15th to the 17th of June.

During my stay, I encountered several issues. Firstly, the air conditioning in my room was not working correctly, which made the room uncomfortably warm. Despite reporting this to reception twice, nothing was done to resolve the problem. Furthermore, on my final morning, I was overcharged for breakfast at your restaurant, which I did not have.

I have been a loyal customer of your hotel chain for many years and I am very disappointed with this level of service. I would appreciate it if you would investigate these matters and I believe a partial refund for the cost of my stay would be an appropriate compensation for the inconvenience caused.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

John Doe

Your Next Step: Focused Practice

By following this simple structure and correctly identifying the tone, you can confidently tackle any IELTS General Training letter. The best way to improve is through consistent practice.

Our IELTS mock test app offers a wide variety of GT Task 1 prompts, allowing you to practice writing different types of letters in a timed environment, just like the real exam.

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