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IELTS Writing
General Training
Task 1
20 minutes150+ words1/3 of Writing score

IELTS General Training Task 1: Letter Writing

Master formal, semi-formal, and informal letter writing. Get instant AI feedback on your tone, format, and content.

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Types of Letters in Task 1

Formal Letters

Written to:

Employers, officials, companies, organizations

Opening:

Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr/Ms [Name]

Closing:

Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely

Features:
No contractions (do not, cannot)
Formal vocabulary
Professional tone
Clear, direct language
Examples:

Job applications, Complaints to companies, Requests to authorities

Semi-Formal Letters

Written to:

Landlords, neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances

Opening:

Dear Mr/Ms [Name], Dear [First Name]

Closing:

Best regards, Kind regards

Features:
Polite but not stiff
Some contractions acceptable
Friendly but respectful
Clear purpose
Examples:

Letters to landlords, Notes to neighbors, Work-related requests

Informal Letters

Written to:

Friends, family members, close acquaintances

Opening:

Dear [Name], Hi [Name], Hello!

Closing:

Best wishes, Take care, Love

Features:
Contractions are fine
Casual vocabulary
Personal tone
Can include emotions
Examples:

Invitations to friends, Thank you letters, Sharing news

How to Structure Your Letter

1
Opening

Greet the recipient appropriately and state your purpose for writing.

Tip: Get straight to the point - don't waste words on unnecessary pleasantries.
2
Body (2-3 paragraphs)

Address all the bullet points from the prompt in a logical order.

Tip: One main topic per paragraph. Make sure every bullet point is covered.
3
Closing

Summarize if needed and sign off appropriately for the letter type.

Tip: Match your closing to your opening - don't mix formal and informal.

Common Letter Purposes

Making a Request
- I am writing to request...- I would be grateful if you could...- Would it be possible to...?- I would appreciate it if...
Making a Complaint
- I am writing to complain about...- I was disappointed to find that...- I would like to bring to your attention...- I expect a full refund/replacement...
Giving Information
- I am writing to inform you that...- I wanted to let you know...- Please be aware that...- I thought you should know...
Making Suggestions
- I would suggest that...- Perhaps you could consider...- Why don't we...?- Have you thought about...?

Letter Writing FAQ

How do I know if a letter should be formal or informal?

Look at who you're writing to: letters to friends/family are informal, letters to employers/officials are formal, and letters to neighbors/landlords are semi-formal. The prompt usually makes this clear through the relationship described.

What should I include in my letter?

Every letter should address all the bullet points in the prompt. Typically, you need to explain your situation, make a request or provide information, and include relevant details. Cover all points but don't stray off-topic.

How do I start and end different letter types?

Formal: 'Dear Sir/Madam' -> 'Yours faithfully' or 'Dear Mr/Ms X' -> 'Yours sincerely'. Semi-formal: 'Dear Mr/Ms X' -> 'Best regards'. Informal: 'Dear [Name]/Hi [Name]' -> 'Best wishes/Take care'.

What tone mistakes should I avoid?

Don't mix formal and informal language in the same letter. Avoid contractions (don't, can't) in formal letters. Don't be too casual in formal letters or too stiff in informal ones. Match your vocabulary to the register.

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