IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: Letters Guide 2026 + Free AI Practice

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 is fundamentally different from the Academic version — instead of describing graphs and charts, you must write a formal, semi-formal or informal letter of at least 150 words in 20 minutes. It is a skill many candidates underestimate, and it is one of the fastest areas to improve with targeted practice.

This guide covers all three letter types, the structures that score Band 7+, vocabulary that impresses examiners, and how to use our free AI feedback tool to practise effectively every day.

What Is IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?

You are given a situation and asked to write a letter addressing it. The letter may require you to:

• Request information or assistance
• Make a complaint and suggest a solution
• Explain a situation or describe a problem
• Give or accept an invitation
• Apologise or express thanks

Key requirements: Minimum 150 words · 20 minutes · Formal, semi-formal or informal register (determined by who you are writing to)

The 3 Letter Types and When to Use Each

Formal Letter

Written to someone you don’t know in a professional context — a company, manager, council, or authority.

Opening: Dear Sir or Madam, (if name unknown) / Dear Mr Smith, (if name given)

Closing: Yours faithfully, (if you used “Dear Sir/Madam”) / Yours sincerely, (if you used a name)

Tone: Formal language, no contractions, no colloquial expressions

Semi-Formal Letter

Written to someone you know in a professional capacity — a colleague, neighbour, or landlord you have a polite but not personal relationship with.

Opening: Dear Mr/Ms [Surname],

Closing: Kind regards, / Best regards,

Tone: Polite and professional but not stiff; limited contractions acceptable

Informal Letter

Written to a friend or family member.

Opening: Dear [First name],

Closing: Best wishes, / Take care, / Warm regards,

Tone: Natural, friendly, contractions allowed

The Band 7+ Letter Structure (All Types)

Every Task 1 letter follows the same 4-part structure, regardless of type:

Part 1 — Opening Paragraph (purpose statement)

State clearly why you are writing. Do not bury the purpose in the middle of the letter.

Formal: “I am writing to draw your attention to a problem I recently encountered with your delivery service.”

Informal: “I’m writing because I have some really exciting news — I’ve just been offered a job in London!”

Part 2 — Development (address all bullet points)

The cue card always includes 3 bullet points. Address all three — missing even one drops your Task Achievement score significantly. Allocate roughly equal paragraph space to each.

Part 3 — Resolution or Call to Action

End with a clear statement of what you expect or hope will happen: a response, a refund, a meeting, or simply a reply.

Formal: “I would be grateful if you could investigate this matter and respond within five working days.”

Informal: “Let me know when you’re free — it would be brilliant to catch up!”

Part 4 — Closing formula

Use the correct closing for the register. Examiner’s mark this directly — Yours faithfully with a named opening, or Yours sincerely with Dear Sir/Madam, are common mistakes that cost marks.

Register: The Most Common Band-Dropping Mistake

Mixing registers within a single letter is one of the most penalised errors in Task 1. If the task specifies writing to a manager, every sentence must maintain formal register throughout:

• ❌ “It was really annoying when the package didn’t turn up.” (informal in formal context)
• ✅ “I was considerably inconvenienced when the delivery failed to arrive on the agreed date.”

Band 7+ Vocabulary by Letter Purpose

Purpose	Formal Phrases
Complaint	“I wish to draw your attention to…”, “I was deeply disappointed to find that…”, “I would like to request a full refund…”
Request	“I would be most grateful if you could…”, “I am writing to enquire whether…”, “Could you kindly provide…”
Apology	“I sincerely apologise for…”, “Please accept my unreserved apologies for…”, “I deeply regret any inconvenience caused…”
Invitation	“I would be delighted if you could attend…”, “It would be a great pleasure to have you…”
Explanation	“I am writing to clarify the situation regarding…”, “I would like to explain the circumstances that led to…”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter if my letter is slightly under 150 words?

Yes — writing under 150 words results in an automatic Task Achievement penalty. Always count your words and aim for 165–185. Going significantly over 200 words is unnecessary and risks introducing errors.

Should I write my name at the end of the letter?

Write a name only if the task specifies one (e.g., “Sign the letter as Alex Smith”). Otherwise, write only the closing formula (Yours faithfully, / Best wishes, etc.) without a name.

Can I use contractions in a formal letter?

No — formal and semi-formal letters should avoid contractions entirely. “I am” not “I’m”, “would not” not “wouldn’t”. In informal letters, contractions are acceptable and natural.