Understanding IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: The Letter

In the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, you are asked to write a letter in response to a given situation. The letter must be clear, appropriately toned, and cover the points required by the prompt. You may be asked to write a formal letter to a company or an informal note to a friend, or a semi-formal communication to a colleague. The key to a high score is to plan quickly, structure your message logically, and use language that matches the register of the recipient. This article provides a robust planning framework, plus ready-to-use templates you can adapt for a range of prompts and contexts.

The Planning Framework: A Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1 — Analyze the Prompt

Begin by identifying the purpose of the letter: Are you making a request, recounting an event, expressing concern, or offering congratulations? Note any time frames, numbers, or specific details that must be included. For exam practice, extract the three to four key points mentioned in the prompt and be prepared to map them to your paragraphs. Recognise cues about tone and audience from phrases such as Dear Sir/Madam (formal) or Hi there (informal).

Step 2 — Identify the Recipient and Tone

Decide whether the reader is a supervisor, a service provider, a colleague, a friend, or a family member. The recipient determines the appropriate register and greeting. An IELTS letter that lacks appropriate tone risks miscommunication and lower scores on coherence and cohesion. Native Spanish speakers often overuse formalities or, conversely, treat all letters as informal; the planning stage helps strike the right balance for each prompt.

Step 3 — Map Bullet Points to Paragraphs

Most IELTS General Training prompts contain three to four bullet points. Allocate each to a paragraph, typically three or four paragraphs total. A common layout is:

• Paragraph 1 — Purpose and opening context
• Paragraph 2 — Details and supporting information
• Paragraph 3 — Desired outcome or call to action
• Optional Paragraph 4 (if needed) — Additional details or closing remarks

By planning the points first, you ensure you respond to all parts of the task and avoid leaving questions unanswered.

Step 4 — Choose a Suitable Greeting and Closing

The greeting and closing are anchors of tone. Use Dear Sir or Madam, with Yours faithfully for formal letters, and Dear Mr/Ms [Surname], with Sincerely or Best regards when the recipient is known. For informal letters, Hi [Name], and Best wishes are common. Semi-formal letters often use a neutral closing such as Kind regards.

Step 5 — Plan Language and Register

Plan sentence-level language that suits the tone and makes your points clearly. Choose verbs and nouns that convey the precise meaning, and employ hedging for polite requests (e.g., would you mind, could you please). Pay attention to tense consistency and pronoun usage to avoid confusion in the reader’s mind.

Quick Templates You Can Adapt

The following templates are deliberately compact, with placeholders you can fill in as you practice. They cover the three main letter types in IELTS General Training: formal, informal, and semi-formal. Each template follows a three-paragraph structure typical of the IELTS task, ensuring you address the prompt efficiently while maintaining the preferred register.

Template 1 — Formal Letter: Complaint about a Service

Paragraph 1: I am writing to express dissatisfaction with [service/product] that I purchased on [date]. The item/work did not meet the expected standard because [brief reason].

Paragraph 2: On [date], I encountered [specific issue or incident], which caused [consequence]. I have attached [receipts, photographs, or other evidence] to support my claim.

Paragraph 3: I would appreciate it if you could arrange [replacement/refund/compensation] within [time frame]. Please contact me at [email/phone] to confirm the next steps. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Fill-in example:

Dear Customer Service Team,
I am writing to express dissatisfaction with the smartphone I purchased on 5 March 2026. The device stops connecting to Wi-Fi after a few minutes, which makes it unusable for work. On 12 March, I contacted your helpline but the issue persists, and I have attached the receipt and a diagnostic report from my network provider as evidence.
I would appreciate it if you could arrange a replacement or full refund within 14 days. Please contact me at iago.smith@example.com or 07700 900000 to confirm the next steps. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Template 2 — Informal Letter: Request for Help from a Friend

Paragraph 1: I hope you’re well. I’m writing to ask if you could help me with [task].

Paragraph 2: Specifically, I need [details], and if you are available on [date], that would be great. If not, could you point me to someone who could assist?

Paragraph 3: Thank you in advance for your help. I’m looking forward to catching up soon. Best wishes, [Your Name].

Fill-in example:

Hi Ana,
I hope you’re well. I’m writing to ask if you could help me with moving some furniture this weekend. Specifically, I need two people and a van, and if you’re available on Saturday, that would be perfect. If not, could you point me to someone who could assist?
Thanks in advance for your help. I’m looking forward to catching up soon. Best wishes, Luca.

Template 3 — Semi-formal Letter: Information Request to a Local Council

Paragraph 1: I am writing to request information about [issue], as I require guidance for [purpose].

Paragraph 2: Could you please advise on [specific questions or steps] and provide any relevant forms or deadlines?

Paragraph 3: I would be grateful for a reply by [date]. Thank you for your assistance. Yours faithfully, [Your Name].

Fill-in example:

Dear Council Office,
I am writing to request information about street lighting on Oak Street, as I need to plan safe evening walks. Could you please advise on when repairs will be completed and what forms are required to report ongoing issues? I would be grateful for a reply by 20 April 2026. Thank you for your assistance. Yours faithfully, Maria Chen.

Language and Grammar Tips for IELTS Letter Writing

Modal Verbs for Polite Requests

Modal verbs such as could, would, and might soften requests and are common in IELTS letters. A typical pattern is Could you please [do something] by [date], or Would you mind [doing something]. Avoid direct imperatives in formal letters where politeness is valued. Note that native Spanish speakers often translate directly from their language, leading to overuse of should or more direct imperatives; practicing modal-based requests helps maintain cultural and linguistic appropriateness.

Linking and Cohesion

Use connectors to guide the reader through your argument: Firstly, Secondly, However, Therefore, As a result. In formal letters, cohesion should be precise and restrained; in informal letters, you can be more personal and use sequential connectors to create a conversational flow.

Tense and Perspective

Maintain tense consistency within a paragraph, usually present simple or present perfect for current situations, past simple for completed events, and future forms for upcoming actions. For requests and promises, future forms or modals are common. A frequent error among Spanish speakers is shifting tenses within the letter without a clear reason, especially when recounting events and then making requests in the same paragraph.

Sample Full Letter: Formal Complaint (Completed Example)

Dear Customer Service Team,

I am writing to report an issue with the smartphone I purchased on 5 March 2026. The device ceases to maintain a Wi‑Fi connection after a few minutes, rendering it unsuitable for work. On 12 March I contacted your helpline, but the problem persists. I have attached the receipt and a diagnostic report from my network provider for your reference.

Given the persistent nature of this fault, I would appreciate it if you could arrange a replacement or provide a full refund within 14 days. Please contact me at iago.smith@example.com or 07700 900000 to confirm the next steps. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Iago Smith

Practical Next Steps

To practice more, download practice prompts and compare your answer with model letters. Consider enrolling in the IELTS General Training course at UKLT for structured lessons on planning, writing, and feedback. If you would like personalised guidance, contact us at info@uklanguageteaching.com or via WhatsApp at +44 20 8106 5581.