IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter in response to an everyday situation: a complaint, a request, an apology, an invitation, or a mix of these. It is the most predictable task in the test, so a clear method pays off quickly.
What the task looks like
You get a short situation and three bullet points. For example:
You recently stayed at a hotel and left a personal item in your room. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter:
- describe the item you left behind
- explain where you think you left it
- say how you would like it returned to you
You must address all three points, and the prompt tells you how to begin (for example, "Dear Sir or Madam," or "Dear ...,").
Step 1: choose the right tone
| Tone | Reader | Greeting | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Someone you don't know, or an organisation | Dear Sir or Madam, / Dear Mr Patel, | Yours faithfully, (if no name) / Yours sincerely, (with a name) |
| Semi-formal | Someone you know, but not closely (landlord, manager, neighbour) | Dear Ms Chen, / Dear Tom, | Kind regards, / Best regards, |
| Informal | A friend or family member | Hi Anna, / Dear Anna, | Best wishes, / See you soon, / Love, |
Tone runs through the whole letter, not just the greeting. An informal letter uses contractions ("I'm", "can't") and friendly phrasing. A formal letter avoids contractions and slang.
One common mistake: mixing tones, such as "Dear Sir or Madam" followed by "Hope you're doing great!".
Step 2: use a simple four-part structure
- Opening (1–2 sentences): state why you are writing.
- Bullet point 1: one paragraph.
- Bullet point 2: one paragraph.
- Bullet point 3: one paragraph, then a brief closing line and sign-off.
For the hotel example:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing regarding a personal item I left behind after staying at your hotel from 12 to 14 March.
The item is a silver wristwatch with a black leather strap. It has sentimental value, as it was a gift from my late grandfather, and the back is engraved with my initials.
I believe I left it on the bedside table in room 314, as I remember taking it off before going to sleep on my final night. It is also possible that it fell behind the table.
If the watch has been found, I would be grateful if you could send it to me by registered post. I am happy to cover any postage costs. Please contact me at this email address or by phone on the number below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully, Daniel Okafor
That is about 160 words, covers every bullet point, and adds realistic detail to each.
Step 3: develop each bullet point
Task Achievement rewards letters that fully cover the points, not just mention them. A quick test: can you add a reason, a detail or an example to each paragraph?
| Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|
| "I left my watch." | "The item is a silver wristwatch with a black leather strap, engraved with my initials." |
| "Please send it back." | "I would be grateful if you could send it by registered post; I am happy to cover the cost." |
Useful phrases by purpose
Complaining (formal):
- I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
- I would appreciate it if this matter could be resolved promptly.
Requesting (semi-formal):
- I was wondering whether it would be possible to...
- Could you please let me know...
Apologising (informal):
- I'm really sorry I couldn't make it to...
- I hope you can forgive me; I'll make it up to you.
Inviting (informal):
- I'd love it if you could come to...
- Let me know if you can make it.
Use these as starting points, not memorised blocks. Examiners notice long memorised passages that do not fit the task.
An informal example
Task (illustrative): A friend has invited you to stay with them next month, but you cannot go. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: thank them for the invitation; explain why you cannot come; suggest another time to meet.
Dear Sofia,
Thanks so much for inviting me to stay with you in June. It was really kind of you, and I was excited to finally see your new flat and meet your family.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. My company has just asked me to lead a training course for new staff, and it runs for the whole of June, including some weekends. I'm really disappointed, but I can't turn it down, as it's a great opportunity for my career.
How about meeting in August instead? I'll have two weeks off at the start of the month, so I could come to you, or you'd be very welcome to stay with me. Let me know what suits you best.
Lots of love, Elena
Compare its features with the formal letter above: contractions, a friendly and personal tone, and phrases like "Thanks so much" and "How about...?". The structure, however, is exactly the same: opening, one paragraph per bullet point, closing.
Semi-formal letters: the in-between tone
Semi-formal letters cause the most confusion. They go to people you know but are not close to: a landlord, a manager, a teacher, a neighbour. The tone is polite and respectful, but warmer than a letter to a company.
| Formal | Semi-formal | Informal |
|---|---|---|
| I am writing to inform you that... | I'm writing to let you know that... | Just wanted to tell you that... |
| I would be grateful if you could... | Would it be possible for you to...? | Could you...? |
| I apologise for any inconvenience. | I'm sorry for any trouble this may cause. | Sorry about that! |
Contractions are acceptable in semi-formal letters if used consistently, but avoid slang.
Mistakes that cost bands
- Missing or thin bullet points. This is the most common reason for a low Task Achievement score.
- Wrong purpose. If the task asks you to apologise, the apology needs to be clear, not implied.
- Unclear opening. The reader should know why you are writing from the first sentence.
- Under 150 words. Count your words in practice until you can judge length by sight.
- One long paragraph. Paragraphs are part of Coherence and Cohesion.
- Overlong letters. Writing 280 words for Task 1 often means less time for Task 2, which is worth twice as much.
A 20-minute plan
| Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Read the task, decide the tone, jot one detail for each bullet |
| 3–17 | Write the letter paragraph by paragraph |
| 17–20 | Check greeting/closing match, tense, spelling and word count |
Practise with feedback
The fastest way to improve a letter is to write several different types (complaint, request, apology, invitation) and get feedback on whether you fully covered the task and held the right tone.
EnglishHub's IELTS General Training simulator includes 50 full mock tests and 200 practice sets in the real format, with AI feedback on Writing Task 1 and Task 2. Your first mock is free: start an IELTS General mock, or explore the IELTS General hub. If you are still deciding between versions, read IELTS General vs Academic.
EnglishHub is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with IELTS, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should an IELTS General Task 1 letter be?
At least 150 words. Responses under 150 words are penalised. Most strong letters are around 160 to 200 words, which leaves time for Task 2.
How do I know whether the letter should be formal or informal?
Look at who you are writing to. A company, official or someone you have never met needs a formal letter. A friend needs an informal letter. Someone you know but not closely, such as a landlord or manager, usually needs a semi-formal tone.
Do I need to write addresses in the IELTS letter?
No. You do not need to include addresses or a date. Start with a suitable greeting and go straight into your opening sentence.
Can I invent details in my IELTS letter?
Yes. You are expected to add realistic details, such as dates, names or reasons, to develop each bullet point. They do not need to be true, but they should fit the situation.
How much time should I spend on Task 1?
About 20 minutes. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1, so avoid spending more than 20 minutes on the letter.
