In the IELTS General Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter based on a real life situation. You may need to file a complaint, request information, apologize, make arrangements, or explain a situation. Your task is to write a clear, well structured letter that suits the purpose and tone of the prompt.

You must write at least 150 words and you are advised to spend around 20 minutes on this task. Since Task 1 contributes to your overall Writing band score, writing effectively can give you a solid boost.

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Types of Letters in IELTS Sure General Writing Task 1

Choosing the right tone is crucial. The examiner will assess whether your style matches the situation. Here are the three main letter types:

Letter Type	When to Use	Tone and Style
Formal	Writing to a company, official, or someone you do not know	Polite, professional, respectful
Semi formal	Writing to someone you know, but in a professional context	Courteous, clear, slightly warm
Informal	Writing to a friend or family member	Friendly, relaxed, personal

Using the right greeting, language, and sign-off based on the letter type will help you score higher.

ALSO READ: From Confusion to Band 9 – The IELTS Writing Task 2 Strategy That Finally Makes Sense

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Simple and Effective Letter Structure

Your letter should be well organized, easy to follow, and cover all the bullet points in the question. The ideal structure looks like this:

1. Greeting
2. Opening purpose sentence
3. Body Paragraph 1
4. Body Paragraph 2
5. Body Paragraph 3
6. Closing sentence and sign-off

Each body paragraph usually explains one bullet point from the prompt. This keeps your writing clear and focused.

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What the Examiner Looks For

Your letter is marked using four criteria, each worth 25 percent:

• Task Achievement – Did you fully answer the task and cover all bullet points?
• Coherence and Cohesion – Is your writing well organized, clear, and logically connected?
• Lexical Resource – Do you use a wide range of appropriate and accurate vocabulary?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy – Do you use different sentence types with correct grammar?

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Practical Writing Tips from IELTS Sure

• Spend two to three minutes planning before writing
• Identify the letter type and adjust the tone accordingly
• Use linking phrases such as moreover, however, on the other hand, as a result
• Avoid overly complex language that sounds unnatural
• Aim for around 160 to 180 words to stay safe above the minimum
• Leave one minute to proofread for spelling or grammar mistakes

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How to Break Down a Sample Prompt

Imagine you are writing to your landlord because your apartment is too noisy and making it hard to study. The prompt may ask you to:

1. Describe the problem
2. Explain its impact on you
3. Suggest what you want to be done

You could structure your letter like this:

• Greeting
• State why you are writing
• Describe the noise problem
• Explain how it affects your studies
• Suggest a solution such as changing rooms or setting rules
• Close politely and sign off

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Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS General Writing Task 1

Mistake	Why It Hurts Your Score
Ignoring bullet points	You lose marks for incomplete coverage
Mixing formal and informal tone	Shows weak awareness of context
Using repetitive words	Reduces lexical range score
Writing fewer than 150 words	Leads to penalty
Writing without paragraphs	Affects coherence and cohesion

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Conclusion

IELTS General Writing Task 1 is not just about writing correct English, it is about understanding the purpose and context of the letter. Once you learn how to choose the right tone, organize your ideas, and write naturally, the task becomes much easier. Practice different letter types, build useful vocabulary, and focus on clarity rather than trying to sound overly complicated. With these simple strategies from IELTS Sure, you can write confidently and score higher.

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IELTS General Writing Task 1 — FAQs

Answers to common questions about letters for IELTS General Training, Task 1.

1. What is IELTS General Writing Task 1? +

In this task, you write a letter in response to a situation described in the prompt. You must address all bullet-points, use an appropriate tone (formal, semi-formal or informal), and write at least 150 words.

2. How much time should I spend on this task? +

Aim for about 20 minutes. This allows enough time to plan your letter, write clearly, and include all required points.

3. How many words do I need to write? +

You need to write a **minimum of 150 words**. Writing fewer than this can negatively affect your mark for Task Achievement.

4. What types of letters might I have to write? +

You might write an informal letter (to a friend or family), a semi-formal letter (to someone you know but is not a close friend), or a formal letter (to a company or someone in a position of authority).

5. How do I choose the right tone? +

Check the prompt carefully: who you are writing to and why will guide the tone. Use formal language (no contractions, polite modals) for business-type letters, and more conversational style (contractions, personal touch) for friends or family. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

6. What is the structure of the letter? +

Your letter should have:
– A greeting (“Dear …”)
– An opening paragraph that states your purpose
– Body paragraphs that address each bullet point
– A closing paragraph and sign-off (“Yours sincerely / Best wishes …” depending on tone) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

7. Do I need to write addresses in the letter? +

No, you **do not need to include addresses**. The task instructions usually explicitly say this. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

8. How do I cover all the bullet-points in the task? +

Plan before you write: identify each bullet point, make quick notes, and ensure each one is addressed in a separate paragraph or part of a paragraph so nothing is missed.

9. What kind of vocabulary should I use? +

Use vocabulary and structures appropriate for the tone:
– Formal: “request,” “could you,” “would you”
– Informal: “ask,” “can you,” “will you”
Also use polite expressions and linking phrases. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

10. How should I close the letter? +

Use a closing that matches the tone:
– Formal: “Yours faithfully” or “Yours sincerely”
– Semi-formal: “Kind regards,” “Best regards”
– Informal: “Best wishes,” “Love” etc. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

11. What are common mistakes to avoid? +

Some common errors include:
• Not addressing **all** the bullet-points
• Using the wrong tone for the letter
• Writing less than 150 words
• Weak structure or poor paragraphing
• Inappropriate or careless use of vocabulary or grammar. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

12. How can I improve my score for Task 1? +

To improve your score:
• Practice different types of letters (formal, informal, semi-formal)
• Learn and use useful expressions and polite phrases
• Plan your letter quickly before writing
• Check that you have covered all bullet-points
• Use a range of grammar and sentence structures while keeping clarity.

13. How is Task 1 scored? +

Scoring is based on:
• Task Achievement — How well you address each bullet point and purpose
• Coherence & Cohesion — How well your letter is organized and linked
• Lexical Resource — Vocabulary range and appropriateness
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy — Variety and correctness of sentence structures. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}