General Training Task 1: letters

In General Training Task 1 you write a letter (at least 150 words in 20 minutes) in response to a situation with three bullet points. Task Achievement here is concrete and easy to measure: cover all three bullets, develop each one, and keep a consistent tone throughout. There is no overview to write and no data to read - the marks live in register (matching your language to the reader) and in fully developing each prompt rather than naming it in passing.

Step 1 - Decide the tone

The reader tells you the register. Read who you are writing to before anything else:

Tone must stay consistent from greeting to sign-off. Mixing "I am writing to express my dissatisfaction" with "anyway, catch you soon" wrecks both Task Achievement and Lexical Resource, because Lexical Resource in GT explicitly rewards "an awareness of style and register".

Step 2 - Turn the three bullets into three paragraphs

Each bullet becomes one developed paragraph. State the purpose in the first line so the reader knows why you have written. Then develop each bullet with a reason, a consequence or a small detail - never a bare statement.

Worked example 1 - a formal complaint

You recently stayed in a hotel and were unhappy with your room. Write to the manager. In your letter:

• explain why you were staying there • describe the problems • say what you want them to do.

Formal opening + purpose:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with Room 214, which I occupied during a recent business trip to your hotel from 3-5 May.

Bullet 2 - problems (developed, not listed):

Although the room had been booked as a quiet executive suite, I found the air-conditioning faulty and noisy, and the promised work desk was missing entirely, which made it impossible to prepare for my meetings.

Bullet 3 - request + close:

I would therefore be grateful if you could refund one night's charge and confirm that the room has been repaired.

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Yours faithfully,

James Reed

Why this scores: the first line names the purpose; Although the room had been booked… combines a concessive clause with the past perfect (Grammatical Range); express my dissatisfaction and I would be grateful if you could are correctly formal collocations (Lexical Resource / register); and all three bullets are not just touched but developed with a consequence (made it impossible to prepare).

Worked example 2 - an informal letter to a friend

Register changes everything. The same skill, a different voice:

A friend is going to visit your city. Write a letter: • say how pleased you are • suggest what to do • offer practical help.

Informal opening + warmth:

Hi Maya,

I was thrilled to hear you're finally coming to visit - it's been far too long, and I can't wait to show you around!

Suggestion + offer (contracted, chatty, still organised):

While you're here, we should definitely check out the old harbour and grab dinner at this tiny noodle place I've found. Don't bother booking a hotel, by the way - you're more than welcome to crash at mine.

Why this scores: contractions (you're, can't, I've), phrasal verbs (show you around, check out, crash at mine) and exclamation all suit an informal register - yet the three bullets are still covered in clear, separate moves. Notice it would be wrong to write "I am writing to inform you of my pleasure" to a friend: that mismatch alone caps the register mark.

Before / after - fixing weak tone

• ❌ I want my money back because the room was rubbish.
• ✅ I would be grateful if you could arrange a partial refund, as the room did not meet the standard advertised.

Same request - but the second is correctly formal, polite and exam-ready.

Formal model phrases to bank: I am writing to enquire about… · I would appreciate it if you could… · Please find enclosed… · I would be grateful for your prompt attention to this matter.

Informal model phrases: Just a quick note to… · I was wondering if you fancied… · Let me know what you think · Anyway, I'd better dash.

Common mistakes

• Covering only two bullets - an automatic Task Achievement penalty, even if those two are excellent.
• Wrong or missing sign-off (Yours faithfully with a named greeting is incorrect; pair faithfully with Sir or Madam and sincerely with a name).
• Under 150 words - count, because short letters are penalised.
• A tone that drifts between formal and casual mid-letter.
• No clear purpose in the opening line, so the reader hunts for why you wrote.

Try it

Pick a letter prompt at **/ielts/writing. Before writing, jot the three bullets** down the margin and label the tone (formal / semi-formal / informal). Write one paragraph per bullet, then check that your greeting and sign-off match the tone you chose - and that each bullet has a reason or detail attached, not just a sentence naming it.