General Training Task 1: writing a letter (formal vs informal)

In IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1 is a letter. You have about 20 minutes and must write at least 150 words. The task describes a situation and gives you three bullet points to cover. The biggest decision you make is the tone: formal, semi-formal or informal. Get the tone right and the rest of the letter becomes much easier.

How the letter is assessed

Task 1 is marked on four criteria, each carrying equal weight:

• Task Achievement: Did you cover all three bullet points fully, with a clear purpose and the right tone?
• Coherence and Cohesion: Is the letter logically organised, with clear paragraphs and linking?
• Lexical Resource: Is your vocabulary accurate and suitable for the situation?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Do you use a variety of sentence structures correctly?

Task 2 counts for more of your Writing band than Task 1, so aim to finish the letter in about 20 minutes and move on.

Choosing the tone

Read the prompt and ask: Who am I writing to, and do I know them?

You do not need to write addresses or dates in the IELTS letter. Start directly with the greeting.

A clear four-part structure

1. Greeting and opening line. State your purpose immediately. Formal: "I am writing to complain about..." Informal: "Thanks so much for your letter. I've got some exciting news..."
2. Bullet point 1. One paragraph.
3. Bullet point 2. One paragraph.
4. Bullet point 3 and closing. One paragraph, then a closing sentence ("I look forward to hearing from you." / "Write back soon!") and a sign-off with your name.

Using one paragraph per bullet point makes it easy for the examiner to see that you covered everything.

Worked example (formal)

You recently moved into a rented room in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, and the air conditioner does not work. Write a letter to the property manager. In your letter: describe the problem; explain how it is affecting you; say what you would like the manager to do.

Opening: "Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to report a problem with the air conditioning unit in Room 4B, which I have been renting since 1 March."

Bullet 2: "As temperatures regularly exceed 33 degrees in the afternoon, the room becomes extremely uncomfortable, and I have been unable to sleep or study properly."

Bullet 3: "I would be grateful if you could arrange for a technician to inspect the unit this week."

Closing: "I look forward to your prompt reply. Yours faithfully, Arif Chowdhury"

The same idea in an informal letter

If you were telling a friend about this, you might write: "You won't believe it, the air con in my new room in PJ is completely dead! It's boiling hot every afternoon and I can hardly sleep. I've asked the manager to send someone, so fingers crossed."

Notice the differences: contractions (won't, I've), phrasal verbs and friendly expressions, and exclamations. These are good in an informal letter and wrong in a formal one.

Useful phrases by tone

Formal: I am writing to enquire about... / I would appreciate it if... / Please find attached... / I would be grateful for your assistance.

Informal: It was great to hear from you. / Guess what? / I was wondering if you'd like to... / Can't wait to see you!

Common mistakes

• Mixing tones. "Dear Sir or Madam, how are you doing?" or "Hey, I am writing to formally request..." sounds unnatural.
• Missing a bullet point. Skipping or barely touching one bullet limits your Task Achievement score.
• Not stating the purpose early. The reader should know why you are writing after the first sentence or two.
• Writing under 150 words. Short letters usually fail to develop the bullet points.
• Memorised openings that do not fit. Examiners recognise long learned paragraphs. Use flexible phrases, not whole templates.
• Wrong sign-off. "Yours faithfully" with a named person, or "Love" to a manager.

Quick tip

Before you write, spend one minute noting two or three ideas for each bullet point and circle the tone you have chosen. That quick plan keeps the letter complete, balanced and consistent from the first word to the last.