General Task One refers to Writing Task One in the IELTS General Training exam.
In this task, candidates must write a letter based on a real-life situation using an appropriate tone and clear communication style.
The task focuses on practical written English used in everyday, workplace, and social situations.
Where It Appears
General Task One is the first task in the IELTS General Training Writing test.
It comes before Writing Task Two.
Recommended time:
- 20 minutes
Minimum word count:
- 150 words
What You Must Do
You are given a situation and asked to write a letter that usually includes three bullet points.
You must respond to all bullet points clearly and appropriately.
Common Letter Types
Formal Letter
Written to someone you do not know personally.
Examples:
- Manager
- Landlord
- Company
- Government office
- School administrator
Semi-Formal Letter
Written to someone you know in a professional or less personal context.
Examples:
- Teacher
- Neighbour
- Colleague
Informal Letter
Written to someone you know well.
Examples:
- Friend
- Family member
Example Situations
You may need to write about:
- Complaint about a service
- Request for information
- Invitation
- Thank-you message
- Accommodation problem
- Job-related communication
- Travel plans
- Apology
What Examiners Assess
General Task One is marked using:
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Ideal Letter Structure
Opening Greeting
Examples:
- Dear Sir or Madam
- Dear Mr Smith
- Dear Anna
Introduction
Explain why you are writing.
Body Paragraphs
Cover all bullet points clearly.
Closing
Examples:
- Yours faithfully
- Yours sincerely
- Best wishes
Example Prompt
You recently stayed at a hotel and had a problem with your room.
Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter:
- describe the problem
- explain what happened
- request a solution
Common Problems Candidates Face
Missing Bullet Points
Ignoring one point can lower score.
Wrong Tone
Using informal language in a formal complaint.
Weak Paragraphing
Ideas become unclear.
Memorized Templates
Overused openings can sound unnatural.
Under 150 Words
Too short responses may limit score potential.
High-Scoring Strategies
1. Identify the Letter Type First
Choose correct tone.
2. Cover All Bullet Points
Give each point enough detail.
3. Keep Purpose Clear
The reader should immediately understand why you wrote.
4. Use Natural Functional Language
Requesting, apologizing, thanking, complaining.
5. Leave Time to Check
Review grammar, punctuation, names, tone.
Useful Language
Formal
- I am writing to express…
- I would appreciate…
- I would be grateful if…
Informal
- Thanks for your message.
- I’m really sorry about…
- Hope to hear from you soon.
Time Management Plan
Suggested:
- Planning: 3 minutes
- Writing: 14 minutes
- Checking: 3 minutes
Quick Tips
- Always answer all bullet points.
- Match tone to reader.
- Use paragraphs.
- Be clear and polite when needed.
Why Strong Candidates Perform Well
Top scorers understand purpose, choose the correct tone, and communicate naturally without unnecessary complexity.
