IELTS General Training · Writing · W1
IELTS General Writing Task 1: The Letter
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter of at least 150 words in response to an everyday situation, such as a problem with your accommodation or a request to your employer. The prompt gives three bullet points to cover, and you choose a formal, semi-formal or informal tone to suit the reader.
- Task
- A letter responding to an everyday situation
- Length
- At least 150 words
- Suggested time
- About 20 minutes of the 60-minute Writing test
- Tone
- Formal, semi-formal or informal, depending on the reader
- Assessed on
- Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy
How it works
- 1Read the situation and the three bullet points you must cover.
- 2Decide who the reader is and which tone that calls for.
- 3Write the letter in the editor; you can switch to Task 2 at any time.
- 4Check that every bullet point is answered and the word count is at least 150.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
You recently moved to a new city for work, and the gym you joined has closed its only branch near your home without notice. Write a letter to the gym's customer services manager. In your letter: - explain why you chose this gym - describe how the closure has affected you - say what you would like the company to do
Show a strong responseHide response
Outline: Formal tone (reader unknown by name). Opening: Dear Sir or Madam; state the purpose in one line (membership at the closed branch). Paragraph 1: chose it because it was a five-minute walk from home and open early, before work. Paragraph 2: nearest branch now 40 minutes away; paid a year in advance; routine lost. Paragraph 3: request a refund for the unused months or free transfer plus travel allowance; give a reply deadline. Close: Yours faithfully, full name.
A strong answer covers all three bullets with specific details, keeps one formal tone, and ends with a clear request. Missing a bullet point limits the Task Achievement score.
Tips that work
- Decide the tone from the reader: a company or official you do not know needs formal language; a friend needs informal language.
- Give each bullet point its own paragraph so none is forgotten.
- State your purpose in the first sentence or two.
- Aim a little above 150 words, and keep Task 1 to about 20 minutes so Task 2 has enough time.
Common mistakes
- Switching tone mid-letter, for example formal opening with slang in the body.
- Covering two bullet points well and the third in half a sentence.
Questions candidates ask
How do I know whether to write formally or informally?
The reader decides it. A letter to a company, council or someone you have not met is formal. A letter to a manager or landlord you know is usually semi-formal. A letter to a friend or relative is informal.
What happens if I write fewer than 150 words?
Writing under the minimum usually means the task is not fully achieved, which lowers the Task Achievement score. Aim for a little more than 150 words, but do not pad the letter with repetition.
Can I get feedback on my practice letters?
Yes. Letters written in our practice sets and mock tests receive AI feedback on the same four areas the task is assessed on, so you can see which bullet point or tone choice needs work.
Other IELTS General Training Writing tasks
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