General Training Task 1
IELTS General Task 1 sample band 7: a semi-formal complaint letter
Below is a complete band 7 model for a common General Training letter task, followed by a bullet-by-bullet breakdown and examiner notes. You will see exactly how register is held, how each prompt point is developed, and how cohesion is built without padding.
In short
- Write at least 150 words in 20 minutes, covering all three bullets and matching the right register.
- A complaint goes to a company you do not know personally, so the register is semi-formal, not casual.
- Band 7 comes from full bullet coverage, a controlled tone, and varied linking, not from long words.
The task and the band 7 model
A typical General Training prompt looks like this. You recently bought a piece of equipment for your home, but it did not work properly. Write a letter to the shop. In your letter, describe the problem with the equipment, explain what happened when you contacted the shop, and say what you would like the shop to do. The model below answers all three bullets.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a coffee machine I purchased from your Oxford Street branch on 3 May, order number 48217.
Although the machine worked on the first morning, it has since stopped heating the water and now leaks from the base whenever it is switched on. As a result, it is unusable and has even damaged my kitchen worktop.
When I telephoned your customer service line last week, I was assured that a replacement would be sent within three working days. Unfortunately, ten days have now passed and I have received neither a replacement nor any further explanation.
I would therefore be grateful if you could either send a fully working machine or issue a complete refund of 79 pounds without further delay. I would also appreciate written confirmation of the action you intend to take.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Daniel Carter
Approximately 175 words, comfortably over the 150-word minimum.
Bullet-by-bullet coverage
Task Achievement on General Task 1 is mainly about covering every bullet and matching the register. Here is how each prompt point maps onto a paragraph, and the cohesive phrase that opens it.
| Prompt bullet | How the model covers it | Linking phrase used |
|---|---|---|
| Describe the problem | Names the fault, when it started, and the knock-on damage | Although the machine worked... it has since |
| Explain what happened when you contacted the shop | States the promise made and that it was not kept | When I telephoned... Unfortunately |
| Say what you want the shop to do | Gives two clear options and a second request | I would therefore be grateful if |
Examiner notes on register and cohesion
The opening, Dear Sir or Madam, signals that the writer does not know the recipient, so it pairs correctly with Yours faithfully at the close. This greeting and sign-off match is a small but reliable Task Achievement marker. If a name were known, the writer would use Dear Mr Khan and Yours sincerely instead.
Notice the tone. It is firm but never rude. Phrases such as I am writing to express my dissatisfaction and I would be grateful if you could carry the complaint without aggression, which is exactly what semi-formal register requires. There are no contractions, no slang, and no informal openers like Hi there.
For Coherence and Cohesion, each paragraph handles one idea and opens with a linking signal: Although, When, and I would therefore. The pronoun it consistently refers back to the machine, so the reader never loses the thread. For Lexical Resource, varied items such as dissatisfaction, replacement, refund, and confirmation avoid repetition. For Grammatical Range and Accuracy, the writer mixes a concession clause, a present perfect, and a polite conditional with few errors.
IELTS General Task 1 sample questions
What register should this complaint letter use+
Semi-formal. You are writing to a company you have dealt with but do not know personally, so you open with Dear Sir or Madam and keep a polite, businesslike tone. Avoid slang and contractions, but you do not need the stiff formality of a job application.
How long should a General Task 1 letter be+
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes. There is no upper limit, but most band 7 letters sit between 170 and 200 words. Writing under 150 words is penalised under Task Achievement, so always cover all three bullet points fully before checking your length.
Do I have to cover every bullet point+
Yes. Each of the three prompt bullets must be addressed clearly and developed with a little detail. Missing or barely touching a bullet caps your Task Achievement score, however good the language is. A band 7 letter expands each bullet into one focused idea.
How should I open and close a semi-formal letter+
Open with Dear Sir or Madam when you do not know the name, or Dear Mr Khan when you do. Close with Yours faithfully for Dear Sir or Madam, and Yours sincerely when you used a name. Matching the greeting and sign-off correctly supports your Task Achievement score.
Can I invent details for the letter+
Yes, and you should. The prompt gives only an outline, so add realistic dates, names, and specifics to develop each bullet. Examiners reward relevant invented detail because it shows you can extend ideas. Just keep the details consistent and plausible across the whole letter.