General Training Task 1: Letter Writing

General Training Task 1: Letter Writing

In General Training IELTS Writing Task 1, you must write a letter of at least 150 words in response to a given situation. The key to success is understanding the three letter types and matching your tone accordingly.

Understanding the Three Letter Types

Formal Letters

Used when you do not know the recipient personally or when the situation is official.

• Job applications, complaint letters, requests to authorities
• Tone: Polite, professional, and impersonal
• Opening: "I am writing to express my concern regarding..." / "I am writing to apply for the position of..."
• Closing: "Yours faithfully," (if you don't know the name) / "Yours sincerely," (if you know the name)

Semi-Formal Letters

Used when you have some familiarity with the recipient — a colleague, neighbor, or acquaintance.

• Requests to a landlord, complaints to a business, invitations to a professional contact
• Tone: respectful but more personal than formal
• Opening: "Dear Mr. Johnson," / "Dear Sir/Madam,"
• Closing: "Yours sincerely,"

Informal Letters

Used when you know the recipient well — a friend, family member, or close acquaintance.

• Letters to a friend describing an experience, giving advice, or sharing news
• Tone: Warm, friendly, conversational
• Opening: "Hi Tom," / "Dear Sarah,"
• Closing: "Best wishes," / "Love," / "Take care,"

Essential Letter Structure

• Opening (1 sentence): State the purpose of the letter immediately
• Body (2-3 paragraphs): Provide details, make requests, or explain the situation. Use separate paragraphs for separate points.
• Closing (1 sentence): End with a call to action, expression of thanks, or expectation

Key Expressions by Function

Making a Request

• I am writing to request...
• I would be grateful if you could...
• Could you please...
• I wonder if you could...

Making a Complaint

• I am writing to express my disappointment with...
• I regret to inform you that the service I received was...
• I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter...
• I expect this situation to be resolved by...

Giving Information

• I am pleased to inform you that...
• As you may already know,...
• Following our recent conversation,...

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't use informal language in formal letters ("Hey," "cool," "stuff")
• Don't write less than 150 words — aim for 170-180
• Don't forget to include ALL bullet points from the prompt
• Don't use contractions in formal letters (can't → cannot, won't → will not)
• Don't use emotional or aggressive language even in complaints — stay professional
• Don't mix tones — keep your letter consistent throughout