Hi, I’m Sarah Thompson, IELTS Writing tutor and examiner.
If you’re preparing for the IELTS General Training Writing test, you’ll face two tasks:
Task 1 is worth one-third of your total writing score, so understanding the Task 1 Format & Assessment can make the difference between Band 6.5 and Band 8.
In this guide, you’ll learn how Task 1 works, how letters are marked, and how to write a clear, well-structured response that impresses examiners.
You are asked to write a letter of 150 words minimum in about 20 minutes.
You’ll be given a situation and a few bullet points describing what to include.
Typical letter types:
1️⃣ Formal – to an official or organisation (e.g. a bank manager, employer)
2️⃣ Semi-formal – to someone you know professionally (e.g. a landlord or colleague)
3️⃣ Informal – to a friend or relative
Your tone, vocabulary, and structure must suit the situation.
Feature | Details |
Word limit | 150 words minimum (under-length is penalised) |
Time limit | 20 minutes (recommend 2 min plan + 15 min write + 3 min check) |
Input | Short situation + 3 bullet points to cover |
Output | Letter with appropriate tone and language |
Task weighting | 1/3 of Writing score (Task 2 counts more) |
Letter Type | Purpose | Tone & Style | Example Openings |
Formal | Complain, request, apply | Polite, professional | Dear Sir or Madam, |
Semi-Formal | Explain a situation to someone you know slightly | Respectful but friendly | Dear Mr Smith, |
Informal | Personal communication with a friend | Warm and natural | Hi John, / Dear Emma, |
Band 8 Tip: Match your tone to the relationship in the task — don’t start a complaint letter with Hi there!
The same four criteria apply as for Task 2, but they’re interpreted for letter writing:
Criterion | What Examiners Look For | Weight |
Task Achievement | All bullet points covered; tone and purpose appropriate | 25% |
Coherence & Cohesion | Logical paragraphing; clear progression of ideas | 25% |
Lexical Resource | Range of vocabulary suitable for context | 25% |
Grammar Range & Accuracy | Correct tenses, sentence variety, accurate punctuation | 25% |
✅ Band 8 Tip: Use paragraphs to separate introduction, main points, and closing. One giant block of text lowers coherence.
Part | Purpose | Example Phrases |
Opening Salutation | Begin appropriately based on tone | Dear Sir or Madam, / Hi Anna, |
Opening Sentence | State why you’re writing | I am writing to inquire about… |
Body Paragraph 1 | Address first bullet point in detail | Regarding the first issue mentioned… |
Body Paragraph 2 | Address remaining points | In addition, I would like to request… |
Closing Line | Polite ending consistent with tone | I look forward to your reply. / See you soon! |
Sign-off | Finish appropriately | Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, Best wishes |
Mistake | Why It Lowers Score | Fix |
Using the wrong tone | Shows lack of register control | Identify relationship in the task before writing |
Missing a bullet point | Reduces Task Achievement | Tick off each point as you write |
Under 150 words | Automatic penalty | Write ≈ 160–170 words |
No paragraphs | Hurts Coherence | Use 2–3 short paragraphs |
Grammar errors in tenses or articles | Reduce Grammar Accuracy | Proofread last 2 minutes |
Question:
You are moving to a new city for work and need some advice from a friend who lives there. Write a letter to your friend.
✅ Band 9 Model Answer:
Dear Emma,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m excited to tell you that I’ve accepted a new position at an architecture firm in Manchester and will be moving there next month.
Since you’ve been living in Manchester for a few years, I’d really appreciate some advice about where to rent a flat and which areas are safe and affordable. Do you know of any local markets or gyms near the city centre?
I’ll arrive on the 15th of June and would love to catch up over dinner if you’re free that weekend. Let me know what works best for you.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Criterion | Performance |
Task Achievement | All three bullet points covered in natural detail. |
Coherence & Cohesion | Clear paragraph structure and logical progression. |
Vocabulary | Accurate range (affordable, catch up, position). |
Grammar | Error-free tenses and polite modal forms (would love to, I’d appreciate). |
✅ Band 9 Tip: Note how the tone is friendly yet controlled — perfect for an informal letter.
Situation | Formal Example | Informal Example |
Complaint | I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service provided. | N/A – complaints are never informal. |
Request | I would be grateful if you could send me the details. | Could you please let me know the details? |
Invitation | N/A – usually semi-formal or informal. | I’d love you to come to my housewarming party! |
Identify the tone:
1️⃣ I am writing to request information about your online course. → Formal
2️⃣ Could you recommend any good restaurants near your office? → Semi-formal
3️⃣ Hope you’re doing well! Let’s go out when I arrive. → Informal
Before you finish Task 1, ask yourself:
If yes, you’ve met the criteria for Band 7 or above.
Understanding the Task 1 Format & Assessment is the foundation for successful letter writing. Always adapt tone to context and cover each bullet point clearly.
Next, move to Letter Types: Formal, Semi-Formal & Informal to learn how to adjust tone and language for different situations.
You can also revisit the IELTS Writing Overview: Format, Scoring & Key Skills or explore official examples on IELTS.org.
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