What is IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?
In General Training Writing Task 1, you are given an everyday situation and asked to write a letter. Official IELTS guidance says the response must be at least 150 words and recommends spending about 20 minutes on it. The prompt gives you three bullet points to cover, and the appropriate style may be personal, semi-formal or formal depending on the recipient and situation.
Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to your Writing score, so a strong Task 1 strategy should help you finish accurately without using too much of the 60-minute Writing test.
Step 1: decide the relationship and tone
Before you write, identify who will receive the letter. Tone affects your greeting, vocabulary, requests and sign-off.
Someone you do not know personally, such as a company, accommodation office or service provider.
Someone you know in a professional context, such as a manager, teacher or landlord.
A friend, relative or someone you know well.
Do not force very formal phrases into a letter to a friend, and do not use casual chat language in a complaint to an organisation. The goal is an appropriate, consistent register.
A reliable five-part structure
- Greeting: choose one that matches the relationship.
- Purpose: state why you are writing in the opening paragraph.
- Bullet point 1: develop the first required detail.
- Bullet points 2 and 3: cover the remaining requirements in logical paragraphs.
- Closing and sign-off: finish in a tone consistent with the letter.
You do not need to copy the prompt's bullet-point order if another order is more logical, but every requirement needs to be covered clearly enough for the examiner to recognise it.
Useful language by purpose
I would be grateful if you could… / Could you please let me know…
I am writing to express my concern about… / Unfortunately, the problem has continued despite…
I am sorry for… / Please accept my apologies for…
It was great to hear from you. / I wanted to tell you about…
Treat these as flexible language, not a memorised template. Your letter still needs specific details that fit the task.
Original IELTS-style worked example
Situation: You recently moved into a rented apartment, but the heating has not been working properly.
Write 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.
Planning: This is formal or semi-formal because you are writing to a property manager. The purpose should be clear immediately, and each bullet point should receive enough development.
Dear Property Manager,
I am writing to report an ongoing problem with the heating in Apartment 406, which I moved into last week.
Although the thermostat is set to 22°C, the radiators remain cold for most of the day. The system briefly starts in the evening but stops again after approximately twenty minutes. I have checked the controls and reset the thermostat, but this has not solved the issue.
The apartment has become particularly uncomfortable during the early morning and at night. I work from home several days a week, so the low temperature is also affecting my ability to work comfortably.
Could you please arrange for a technician to inspect the heating system as soon as possible? I am available after 4 p.m. on weekdays and throughout Saturday if access to the apartment is required.
Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Alex Morgan
This example works because the purpose is explicit, all three task requirements are developed, and the language stays appropriately professional without sounding unnatural.
Common Task 1 mistakes
- missing or underdeveloping one of the three bullet points;
- using the wrong tone for the recipient;
- writing fewer than 150 words;
- turning the answer into notes or bullet points instead of connected text;
- memorising a generic introduction that does not match the purpose;
- spending so long on Task 1 that Task 2 is rushed;
- adding an address at the top even though IELTS does not require one.
A 20-minute practice routine
- 2–3 minutes: identify recipient, tone, purpose and one idea for each bullet point.
- 14–15 minutes: write the full letter in connected paragraphs.
- 2–3 minutes: check whether all bullet points are covered and review grammar, spelling, names and tone.
Practise General Training Writing on computer
Use timed practice to make planning, typing and checking automatic before a full mock test.
Related: IELTS General Training · Writing band scores · Writing Task 2 opinion essays
Frequently asked questions
How many words should I write for IELTS General Writing Task 1?
You must write at least 150 words. IELTS recommends spending about 20 minutes on Task 1 so that you preserve enough time for Task 2, which contributes twice as much to the Writing score.
What types of letters appear in IELTS General Training Task 1?
Depending on the situation and recipient, the required style may be personal, semi-formal or formal. The task tells you who you are writing to and gives three bullet points that your letter must address.
Do I need to write an address in IELTS General Task 1?
No. Official IELTS guidance states that you do not need to write addresses at the top of the letter.
Can I answer the three bullet points as bullet points?
No. Your response must be a connected piece of writing in full sentences. Use paragraphs rather than notes or bullet points.
Official reference
CBI Prep is an independent preparation platform and is not affiliated with IELTS. Format and scoring guidance in this article was checked against current official IELTS General Training Writing information.
IELTS General Training Writing test format