IELTS General Training
The IELTS General Training Task 1 letter
General Training Task 1 asks you to write a 150-word letter that responds to a situation and covers three bullet points. The skill that separates a band 6 from a band 7 is choosing the right register and sustaining it from greeting to sign-off.
In short
- Write at least 150 words and cover all three bullet points, developing at least one of them.
- Identify the register from the reader: formal, semi-formal or informal, then keep it consistent.
- Match your opening and closing to the register; the wrong sign-off signals a tone mismatch.
What the task asks you to do
Every General Training Task 1 prompt has the same shape: a short scenario followed by three bullet points beginning with phrases such as "explain", "describe", "say" or "suggest". Your job is to write a letter of at least 150 words, in about 20 minutes, that addresses all three.
Treat each bullet as a paragraph or a developed sentence. A common reason for a Task Achievement score of 6 rather than 7 is covering all three bullets but only at surface level. Extend at least one bullet with a concrete detail, for example a date, an amount, or a specific consequence.
The bullets also tell you the purpose of the letter: complaining, requesting, apologising, inviting, thanking or informing. Name that purpose in your opening line so the reader knows immediately why you are writing.
The three registers
Register is decided by who reads the letter, not by the topic. Identify the recipient first, then lock your greeting, contractions and sign-off to that level. Mixing levels, for example "Dear Sir or Madam" followed by "Catch you soon", is the single most visible register error.
| Register | Typical reader | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | A company, a manager or an official you do not know by name | Dear Sir or Madam, | Yours faithfully, |
| Semi-formal | A named person you do not know well, such as a landlord or neighbour | Dear Mr Brown, | Yours sincerely, |
| Informal | A friend or family member you know well | Dear Sam, | Best wishes, / Take care, |
Beyond the greeting, register shapes your whole vocabulary. Formal letters avoid contractions and use phrases such as "I am writing to enquire". Informal letters use contractions and warmer openers such as "It's been ages since we caught up". Lexical Resource rewards you for sustaining the right tone, not for showing off rare words in the wrong place.
Choose your letter type
Each guide below covers the openings, set phrases and sign-offs for one register, plus templates and a marked band 7 sample you can study line by line.
General Training Task 1 letter — common questions
What is the IELTS General Training Task 1 letter?+
It is a letter of at least 150 words responding to an everyday situation. The prompt gives you a scenario and three bullet points you must cover. You write it in about 20 minutes, and it is worth one third of your Writing band.
How do I know if the letter is formal, semi-formal or informal?+
Read who the recipient is. An unknown person or organisation means formal. A named person you do not know well, such as a landlord, means semi-formal. A friend or family member means informal. Match your greeting, tone and sign-off to that register.
How many words should the General Training letter be?+
At least 150 words. Writing under 150 is penalised under Task Achievement. Aim for roughly 160 to 190 words, which is enough to cover all three bullet points fully without padding or repetition.
What happens if I miss one of the three bullet points?+
Your Task Achievement score drops because you have not fully addressed the task. Each bullet should get its own developed sentence or short paragraph. Cover all three, and extend at least one with a relevant detail or example.
Does the letter type change how it is marked?+
No. All three letter types are marked on the same four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Register affects Task Achievement and Lexical Resource because the wrong tone signals a mismatch with the reader.