A Letter Writing Task in IELTS refers to Writing Task One in IELTS General Training, where candidates must write a letter based on a real-life situation.
The task tests your ability to communicate clearly, appropriately, and effectively in written English.
Where It Appears
The Letter Writing Task appears in:
- IELTS General Training Writing Task One
It does not apply to IELTS Academic Task One, which usually requires a report based on charts or diagrams.
Time and Word Count
Recommended time:
- 20 minutes
Minimum word count:
- 150 words
What You Must Do
You are given a situation and asked to write a letter.
The prompt usually includes three bullet points that you must cover fully.
Your letter should be:
- Clear
- Well-organized
- Appropriate in tone
- Relevant to the situation
Common Letter Types
Formal Letter
To someone you do not know personally.
Examples:
- Hotel manager
- Company representative
- Landlord
- Government office
- School administrator
Semi-Formal Letter
To someone you know in a less personal relationship.
Examples:
- Teacher
- Neighbour
- Supervisor
- Colleague
Informal Letter
To someone you know well.
Examples:
- Friend
- Relative
- Classmate
Common Situations
You may need to write about:
- Making a complaint
- Requesting information
- Giving an apology
- Thanking someone
- Inviting a friend
- Explaining a problem
- Asking for help
- Giving updates
Ideal Structure
Greeting
Examples:
- Dear Sir or Madam
- Dear Mr Brown
- Dear Sarah
Introduction
Explain why you are writing.
Body Paragraphs
Cover all bullet points clearly.
Closing
Examples:
- Yours faithfully
- Yours sincerely
- Kind regards
- Best wishes
Example Prompt
You recently bought a product that was damaged.
Write a letter to the store manager. In your letter:
- explain what you bought
- describe the problem
- request a solution
What Examiners Assess
Your letter is marked using:
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Common Problems Candidates Face
Wrong Tone
Using casual language in a formal complaint.
Missing Bullet Points
Ignoring one point lowers score.
Weak Paragraphing
Ideas become unclear.
Memorized Templates
Overused openings may sound unnatural.
Under 150 Words
Too short responses may reduce scoring potential.
High-Scoring Strategies
Identify the Relationship
Know who you are writing to.
Choose Correct Tone
Formal, semi-formal, or informal.
Cover Every Bullet Point
Give enough detail for each.
Keep Purpose Clear
Reader should understand your goal quickly.
Use Natural Functional Language
Requesting, apologizing, thanking, complaining.
Useful Language
Formal
- I am writing to inform you…
- I would appreciate it if…
- I would be grateful if…
Informal
- Just wanted to let you know…
- Thanks so much for…
- Hope to see you soon.
Time Plan
Suggested:
- Planning: 3 minutes
- Writing: 14 minutes
- Checking: 3 minutes
Quick Tips
- Write at least 150 words.
- Match tone to reader.
- Use clear paragraphs.
- Stay polite when complaining.
Why Strong Candidates Perform Well
Top scorers communicate naturally, stay on task, and use the correct tone throughout the letter.
