General Task 1
IELTS letter templates for formal, semi-formal, and informal tasks
A good template gives you reusable opening and closing frames and a clear plan for the body, so you can start fast and never miss a bullet point. The catch is that a template is scaffolding, not fill-in-the-blank text. Memorised wording that ignores the actual prompt is penalised, so learn the three frames below and then write every sentence about the specific situation in front of you.
In short
- Keep three frames ready: formal, semi-formal, and informal, each with its own greeting and sign-off.
- Use one body paragraph per bullet point, so all three prompts are covered in full.
- A template is scaffolding only. Memorised content that does not fit the prompt lowers your band.
The three opening and closing frames
You cannot choose the letter type; the prompt and recipient decide it. Read who you are writing to, match it to one of the three tones, and use the matching greeting and sign-off. These frames are the only part you can safely prepare in advance.
Formal (a stranger or an official)
Open: Dear Sir or Madam, then a clear purpose line such as I am writing to complain about... Close: Yours faithfully, and your full name. No contractions. If a surname is given, use Dear Mr Smith, with Yours sincerely,.
Semi-formal (someone you know but should respect)
Open: Dear Mr Brown, or Dear Dr Patel, then a polite purpose line such as I am writing to ask whether... Close: Yours sincerely, and your name. Stay courteous but you may relax the tone slightly compared with a formal letter.
Informal (a friend or close family member)
Open: Dear Sam, or Hi Anna, then a warm opener such as How are you? I thought I would write to tell you... Close: Best wishes, or Take care, and your first name. Contractions and a friendly voice are welcome here.
The bullet-coverage skeleton
Every General Task 1 prompt gives three bullet points, so the safest body plan is one short paragraph per bullet. This is the part of a template that genuinely protects your score: it stops you forgetting a bullet, which is the most common cause of an incomplete response under Task Achievement.
A simple working skeleton looks like this. Greeting, then a one-line purpose statement. Paragraph one develops the first bullet, paragraph two develops the second, paragraph three develops the third. A short closing line such as I look forward to hearing from you for formal letters, then the sign-off and your name. Across the whole letter, aim for at least 150 words, ideally 160 to 190.
Notice what the skeleton does not include: the actual content. The bullets change every time, so the sentences inside each paragraph must be written fresh for the situation. Drop in invented details freely; for General Task 1 you may make up names, dates, and reasons as long as they fit the prompt.
Template or memorised script: know the line
The difference between a helpful template and a band-lowering script is whether the language fits the task. Examiners reward writing that responds to the specific prompt across all four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Pre-learned chunks that are bolted on regardless of the question usually read as off-topic or stiff, and they get discounted.
| Safe scaffolding (use this) | Memorised script (avoid this) |
|---|---|
| A greeting and sign-off matched to the recipient | A fixed three-sentence intro pasted onto every prompt |
| One short purpose line you adapt to the task | A rehearsed paragraph about a topic the prompt never raised |
| A paragraph plan: one bullet per paragraph | Pre-written body content forced to cover unrelated bullets |
| Linking words chosen to fit your own sentences | A long list of connectives crammed in to look advanced |
| A closing line suited to the tone you are using | An identical closing regardless of formal or informal task |
A quick test before you commit a phrase to memory: could it appear, unchanged, in a letter on any topic? If yes, it is probably a script, and examiners will not credit it. Keep the frame, write the rest live.
IELTS letter templates: common questions
Are IELTS letter templates allowed in the exam?+
Yes, light structural frames are fine and sensible. What examiners penalise is fully memorised, pre-written content forced onto the prompt. Use a template for layout and signposting only, then write every sentence about the specific situation you are given.
Can a memorised template lower my band score?+
Yes. If chunks of pre-learned language do not fit the task, examiners discount them and may lower Task Achievement and Coherence & Cohesion. Memorised phrasing also tends to be stiff or off-topic, which weakens Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
How many letter templates do I need for IELTS?+
Three: one each for formal, semi-formal, and informal letters. They differ in greeting, tone, and sign-off. Knowing all three lets you match whatever recipient the prompt names, since you cannot choose the letter type yourself.
What goes in the body of an IELTS letter?+
One short paragraph per bullet point. The prompt gives three bullets, so cover each one clearly, usually in its own paragraph. This bullet-coverage skeleton keeps your letter on task and protects your Task Achievement score.
Do all three letter types need 150 words?+
Yes. Every IELTS General Task 1 letter must be at least 150 words, whatever its tone. Aim for roughly 160 to 190 words so you can develop all three bullets in full sentences without padding.