What is Task 1 in General Training?

In the Writing Task 1 of the IELTS General Test, you are given a situation and you will have to write a letter in response.

For example, you may have to write a letter to a neighbour who often makes too much noise or a letter to your manager explaining why you failed to meet a deadline.

A good answer to Task 1 should be a letter that has a clear purpose, that is informative and that has a clear action point.

What kind of letter will I have to write?

You may have to write a formal or informal letter. It’s important that you are clear what kind of letter it is as you will be marked on tone – if you are using the kind of language which is appropriate for the kind of letter you are writing.

In either formal or informal letters, it is important that your answer does certain things.

• The opening of your letter should explain who you are and your purpose for writing. In an informal letter you won’t really have to explain who you are as you will be writing to a friend but it will still be important to explain why you are writing.
• In the main body of the letter you should make sure you cover all of the requirements of the task.

The question will probably have three bullet points of information you should include in your writing and you should make sure you explain them clearly in your letter.

Remember to be creative. If the question says ‘describe why you missed the deadline’ then make sure you give some details about the reasons why your work was late.

• In the last part of your letter make sure it is clear if you want your reader to do something. If you’re writing to your neighbour to complain about the noise, you might end your letter telling them that if they continue to disturb you, you may have to call the police.

How do I get started with Task 1?

Look at the prompt carefully.

• What kind of letter is it?
• Who are you writing to, and why?
• Write notes on the question paper, highlighting key points that you have to mention in your answer.

Plan what you are going to say and think about what details you can add to your letter.

Look at the examples of General Writing Task 1 paper questions and consider the structure, language, tone and formality you would need to use.

• You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

When you had a problem at a local supermarket recently, an employee was very helpful to you. You decide to tell the Store Manager about this. 

Write a letter to the store manager. In your letter

• explain what your problem was
• describe how the employee helped you
• say what you want the manager to do

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………… ,

A response to this prompt would be a formal letter of complaint that answers the three prompts.

There should be no contractions, informal language or slang. The tone should be friendly and descriptive. The final paragraph requires some form of appropriate persuasion. 

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to congratulate one of your employees for outstanding customer service and attention to detail. 

I visited your store on the 15th of April, intending to pick up a few things that needed that week, but somehow, I mislaid both my phone and credit cards that were in the same wallet. I only became aware of this once I was at the checkout, and ready to pay.

The counter assistant, Lindsey, once I had explained my predicament acted diligently and with great understanding. I am aware that she discreetly contacted a colleague who was able to view the CCTV of the store. All the while, Lindsey showed great sympathy and assured me that the items would be found. In addition, Lindsey reassured me that if the items have been taken by another customer then the store’s business insurance would cover my losses. I was so relieved that my possessions were found and returned and it was explained that according to the store’s cameras that I had placed my phone wallet on a shelf as I examined a product.

I would really appreciate you personally thanking Lindsey on my behalf. Would you also consider making a note in her work records of the professional and caring personal customer service that she demonstrated that afternoon. It really is a credit to your store.  

Yours sincerely,

Ritta Sue

• You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

A friend you went to school with has contacted you. He/she is organising a celebration for ex-students from your old school and has invited you to come.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

• say why you would like to come to the party
• tell him/her something about your life now
• ask some questions about other ex-students who might come to the party

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………… ,

A response to this prompt would likely be semi-formal, as it is a letter to a friend that you probably have not seen for a long time that answer the three prompts.

Contractions could be used, but there shouldn’t be any informal language or slang.

Dear Rikki

I was so surprised to receive your letter. It was so out of the blue! It was was great to read about what you are doing and where you are living. Since we last met, it seems you like you have done so much now that you’re living in Canada. I would love to come to the party you’re organising for our old class. It will be great to catch up with the others, but I am more interested in finding out more about your work and lifestyle in North America. I hope you will have time to answer some of my questions, maybe we can catch up near the end of the night when things are quietening down. 

It was lucky that I got your letter. You sent it to my old address and so my mother reposted it to where I’m living now. So, here I am in the UK, living in a small town near Liverpool. As you know, I was always interested in computing and so I managed to secure a position as a software testing engineer, and emigrated here in 2018 with Dipti, who is working as a General Nurse.

Hey, I wondered who you have managed to contact and are coming to the party. I not very good at remembering faces, so could you let me know who confirms. For example, the last thing I heard was that Depak now works in an accounts department, is married and has two kids! Is that true? You can contact me directly on my email ( [email protected] ), is that okay?

Anyway, it’s been great thinking about the past, and I’m really looking forward to our get-together. It will will be fun!

Until then….

Javi

• You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

A neighbour has damaged your car while parking his/her car in the road outside your house.  This has caused you some problems.

Write a letter to this neighbour. In your letter

• • describe the damage to your car
  • say what problems this has caused you
  • explain what you want your neighbour to do

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………… ,

A response to this prompt would likely be semi-formal, as it is a letter to a neighbour that you probably know to some degree and answers the three prompts.

Contractions should not be used and there should not be any very informal language or slang. The last paragraph requires you to persuade the neighbour to do something.  

Dear Mr Hubard

I’m writing this note to make you aware of the damage caused to my car when you accidentally reversed into it on Sunday morning on your way to church. 

As you remember, we discussed the matter before you left with your wife and daughter to go to church. However, it has been  nearly seven days since the incident and I have been unable to use the car since then. Although the damage was not extensive, you know that the rear brake light and indicator was cracked and is now illegal to use on the road. As I do not want to be issued with a traffic penalty notice, I have not been using the car for work and thankfully, a work colleague has been collecting me in the mornings.

I would like to get this matter settled as soon as possible so I can start using the car for transport again. The quotation for replacement and fitting of the rear light is $67.99 which I would like you to pay in cash. You can drop it through my door anytime. Alternatively, if you can find a cheaper quote at a garage nearby, I am happy to go there but I need your answer within three days, or I will have to take the matter further.

Yours faithfully,

Levi Smaith 

• You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

You bought a ticket for a music concert, but now you are unable to go.  You decide to offer the ticket to a friend.

Write a letter to this friend.  In your letter

• give details of the concert
• explain why you are unable to go
• suggest how this friend can get the ticket from you

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………… ,

A response to this prompt would likely be semi-formal, as it is a letter to a friend that you probably know quite well. There are three prompts, the final prompt requires a suggestion.

Contractions could be used, but there shouldn’t be any very informal language or slang (as you are writing a letter) but informal language and collocations used by friends may be suitable. 

Dear Eva

I bought a ticket for a concert a few months ago to see the British band, Little Mix. You know that’s the very famous all-girl band from the UK I am always going on about. I was really lucky to get the tickets as they sold out in the first few hours but I’m really sad as I’m not going to be able to see them.

My cousin from the city is getting married and Dad is insisting that we all go to stay in the city for the whole week of the wedding. He says it will be a good experience for all of us, almost like a holiday so to speak. Guess what, the concert is the same day as my cousin’s wedding so there is absolutely no chance that I can go to see my favorite band.

So, I thought of you! You live only a few miles from the stadium, and I’ve got two tickets, so if you can think of anyone to invite , then you can. Let me know if you want them. I can post them to you, but I am in the city on the 28th for the wedding, so I thought we could meet for a coffee, catch up and I can give you the tickets then. Let me know asap. If you can’t go, I ‘ll try and think of someone else, or try to sell them.

All the best,

Elsa

• You took your family to a nearby restaurant. You were dissatisfied with the meal and wish to complain to the manager.

Write a letter to the manager of the restaurant. In the letter:

• Explain why you were at the restaurant
• Describe the problem
• Write about the action you want the manager to take.

You do not need to write your own address

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………………,

A response to this prompt would be formal, as it is a letter of complaint that answers the three prompts.

There should be no contractions used, not informal language or slang. The tone should be friendly and descriptive. The final paragraph requires some form of appropriate persuasion as you require the manager to react to you wishes.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to complain about the undercooked and poorly presented food we received on the 7^th of November, 2020 at your restaurant.

We visited your restaurant for my mother’s 70^th birthday because of the fine reputation you seem to have on Trip Advisor. We also read a further review and chose Truffle Pasta for my mother as it was one of the recommended dishes that had received good reviews. However, we very disappointed that when the food arrived it did not have enough sauce and when my mother tried the dish, she commented that it also seemed to be undercooked.

As it was my mother’s birthday and the service, we received was good, we did not want to complain at the time, therefore I am writing this letter of complaint before I leave an on-line review.

 I would appreciate if you would refund the difference for the disappointing meal and please advise your staff that your reputation is based on both the quality of the food and service.

Yours sincerely,

Len Cudal

• You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

When you had a problem at a train station recently, a station employee was very helpful to you. You decide to tell the station manager about this.

Write a letter to the station manager.

In your letter

• explain what your problem was
• describe how the employee helped you
• say what you want the manager to do

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………… ,

A response to this prompt would be a formal letter of complaint that answers the three prompts.

There should be no contractions, informal language or slang. The tone should be friendly and descriptive. The final paragraph requires some form of appropriate persuasion.  

I am writing to thank your member of staff who helped me with my luggage this month, on the 2nd of May. 

I was travelling to Peterborough from Manchester and was really tired after such a long journey. To get to my final destination, I needed to change trains, but unfortunately, I left a small bag on the train that continued to London. The ticket inspector was very helpful and reassuring. We had a lovely chat and once I had explained my mistake, he radioed his colleagues and a few days later I was able to collect my bag from the lost luggage department in Peterborough. 

The ticket inspector’s name was Bruce. Please would you thank him in person and say that Claire picked up her lost baggage on the day she returned to Manchester.

Yours sincerely, 

Clarie Masey

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

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