A good IELTS General Training Task 1 letter tells the reader why you are writing, covers every requested point and uses a suitable tone. Before searching for advanced vocabulary, decide who the reader is and what you want them to do or understand.

The official IELTS General Training writing format requires a letter of at least 150 words. IELTS preparation guidance recommends about 20 minutes for this task. Check the instructions carefully, and do not confuse this letter with Academic Task 1 chart writing.

Start with three decisions

1. Reader: Is this a friend, someone you know professionally, or an unfamiliar organisation?
2. Purpose: Are you requesting help, explaining a problem, apologising or giving information?
3. Coverage: What does each bullet point require you to explain?

These decisions guide the opening, detail and ending. If you are unsure which test you need, read our Academic versus General Training guide and confirm requirements with the organisation receiving your result.

Choose tone to match the relationship

For an unfamiliar manager, use a polite, direct style: “I am writing to ask about…” For a friend, a warmer opening such as “Thanks for your message” may fit. A letter to someone you know professionally can remain courteous without sounding overly distant.

Tone is not just the greeting. Requests, explanations and the closing should all feel appropriate for the same reader. Avoid switching from a formal complaint to slang halfway through the letter.

Turn the bullet points into a short plan

Use one opening sentence to establish the purpose. Then give each requested point enough space to be clear. You do not need three identical paragraphs, but you should be able to point to where each requirement is answered.

Useful detail explains a situation rather than padding it. Instead of “It was very bad,” describe what happened, why it affected you, and what reasonable action you are requesting.

Original practice prompt

This is an original classroom exercise, not a recalled or predicted IELTS question.

You recently borrowed a book from a local library and noticed some pages were missing. Write to the library manager. Explain which book you borrowed, describe the problem and how it affected you, and say what you would like the library to do.

Example letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing about a book I borrowed from your library last Saturday. The title is Everyday Gardening, and I collected it from the practical skills section using my library membership card.

When I reached the chapter on growing vegetables, I discovered that several pages were missing. Unfortunately, the missing section includes the instructions for preparing soil and planting seedlings. I had planned to follow those instructions during the weekend, so I could not complete the activity safely or confidently. The rest of the book appears to be in good condition.

Could you please let me know whether another copy is available? If it is, I would appreciate being able to exchange this copy without losing the remaining borrowing period. I can bring the damaged book to the desk tomorrow afternoon. Please also record the existing damage so that it is not attributed to my account.

Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,
Aman Singh

The example identifies the book, explains the effect of the damage and requests a practical solution. The name and situation are fictional. Use it to study organisation, not as a memorised answer for a different prompt.

A final checking routine

• Underline the sentence that explains your purpose.
• Match your details against all three bullet points.
• Check that the request or explanation is clear.
• Check paragraphing, sentence endings and verb forms.
• Confirm that the greeting and sign-off suit the relationship.

Frequently asked questions

Should every letter use the same opening?

No. Choose an opening that matches the purpose and reader. A friendly invitation and a formal request need different wording.

Does complicated vocabulary improve a letter automatically?

No. Accurate, natural language helps the reader follow your message. Unfamiliar expressions can weaken clarity if used incorrectly.

Get focused writing practice

Our Task 2 paragraph guide covers a different writing skill, while the demo class checklist helps you ask useful questions about feedback. Explore IELTS classes in Zirakpur and ask about current writing support.