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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: the letter

Task 1 asks you to write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. It can be formal, semi-formal or informal, and your first band score is free.

Start practising

Por Thanh Tran, cofundación y docencia de PTE
Actualizado en

Your band

Writing, Task 1
6.5
  • Task achievement6.5
  • Coherence and cohesion6.5
  • Lexical resource6.0
  • Grammar6.0
You wrote
I phoned the shop twice, but nobody did nothing.
Try
I phoned the shop twice, but nobody did anything.
Next step

Cover the third point: say what you want the manager to do.

Una pantalla de la app, en inglés, en una computadora portátil

Three kinds of letter

The person you write to decides how formal your letter is.

  1. 1

    Formal

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    To a company, or to someone you don't know. End with 'Yours faithfully'.

  2. 2

    Semi-formal

    Dear Mrs Barrett,

    To someone you know by name but not well, such as a neighbour or your manager. End with 'Yours sincerely'.

  3. 3

    Informal

    Dear Sam,

    To a friend. Write as you would talk to them, and end with 'Best wishes'.

What Task 1 asks for

The instruction

Write a letter about an everyday situation. The task gives you three points to cover.

Length

At least 150 words

Time

About 20 minutes of the 60-minute writing test

How much it counts

One third. Task 2 counts twice as much.

Style

Formal, semi-formal or informal, as the task asks. Write in paragraphs, with no addresses.

Questions to practise

Over 50 letters

How it is marked

Task 1 is marked on four criteria, and each one counts the same. Our engine marks all four and corrects your own sentences.

Task Achievement

All three points covered, in the right tone for your reader.

Coherence and Cohesion

How easy your writing is to follow.

Lexical Resource

The range of words you use, and how well you use them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The range of grammar you use, and how accurate it is.

Practise a letter now

Letters to try

Ten of the letter tasks in the app, from Cambridge IELTS General Training tests.

  • Formal

    You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it did not work. You phoned the shop but no action was taken. Write a letter to the shop manager. In your letter

    • describe the problem with the equipment
    • explain what happened when you phoned the shop
    • say what you would like the manager to do
  • Semi-formal

    You are working for a company. You need to take some time off work and want to ask your manager about this. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

    • explain why you want to take time off work
    • give details of the amount of time you need
    • suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
  • Informal

    You have recently moved to a different house. Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter

    • explain why you have moved
    • describe the new house
    • invite your friend to come and visit
  • Formal

    You were hurt in a minor accident inside a supermarket, and you wish to complain to the supermarket. Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter

    • say who you are
    • give details about the accident
    • suggest how the supermarket could prevent similar accidents
  • Semi-formal

    Mrs Barrett, an English-speaking woman who lives in your town, has advertised for someone to help her in her home for a few hours a day next summer. Write a letter to Mrs Barrett. In your letter

    • suggest how you could help her in her home
    • say why you would like to do this work
    • explain when you will and will not be available
  • Informal

    A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He/She has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

    • explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday
    • describe some possible disadvantages
    • say whether you would like to go camping with your friend this summer
  • Formal

    Your local council is considering closing a sports and leisure centre that it runs, in order to save money. Write a letter to the local council. In your letter

    • give details of how you and your friends or family use the centre
    • explain why the sports and leisure centre is important for the local community
    • describe the possible effects on local people if the centre closes
  • Semi-formal

    Five months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner. Write a letter to the owner of your apartment. In your letter

    • say how long you now want to rent the apartment for
    • explain why your plans have changed
    • tell the owner about a problem in the apartment
  • Informal

    A friend you made while you were studying abroad has written to ask you for help in finding a job in your country. You have heard about a job in a local company that might be suitable for him/her. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

    • tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves
    • say why you think the job would be suitable for him/her
    • explain how to apply for the job
  • Formal

    You have just read an article in an international travel magazine which contained some information about your town that is incorrect. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine. In your letter

    • correct the information in the article
    • explain why it is important for the magazine to give correct information
    • suggest what the magazine should do about this situation

A structure for the letter

  1. Read the task and find who you are writing to. That tells you how formal to be.

  2. Start with the greeting, then say in one sentence why you are writing.

  3. Write one short paragraph for each of the three points in the task.

  4. Finish with a sentence that says what you would like to happen next.

  5. End with the sign-off that matches your greeting, then your name.

Step 2 on a real question

The question

You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it did not work. You phoned the shop but no action was taken. Write a letter to the shop manager.

Your opening

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to complain about a kettle I bought from your shop last week.

Other ways to practise

Preguntas frecuentes

How many words should I write for IELTS General Training Task 1?

At least 150 words, in about 20 minutes. Task 2 counts twice as much, so don't take time from it to write a longer letter.

How do I know if my letter should be formal or informal?

Look at who you are writing to. A letter to a company, or to someone you don't know, is formal. A letter to a friend is informal. A letter to someone you know but not well, such as a neighbour or your manager, is semi-formal.

How do I start and end the letter?

Start with the greeting, such as 'Dear Sir or Madam,'. End with 'Yours faithfully' after 'Dear Sir or Madam', 'Yours sincerely' after a person's name, and a friendly ending such as 'Best wishes' to a friend.

Do I need to write addresses?

No. The task says you don't need to write any addresses. Start with the greeting.

Can I get my letter checked for free?

Yes. Your first Task 1 answer gets free feedback: a band on each of the four criteria and corrections on your own sentences. Pro gives feedback on every answer after that.

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