In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, you write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. The task describes an everyday situation and gives you three bullet points to cover. Depending on who you’re writing to, the letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal.

Below are three sample letters, one in each style, with notes on what makes them work. Then try the 15 questions to check what you know.

All prompts and sample letters here are original practice written in the IELTS format. They are not official IELTS material, and they don’t come with an official band score.

What the examiner looks for

Task 1 is marked on four criteria, each worth the same:

• Task Achievement: does the letter cover all three bullet points, with a clear purpose and the right tone for the reader?
• Coherence and Cohesion: are ideas in a logical order, in paragraphs, with linking words used well?
• Lexical Resource: is the vocabulary varied, precise and suitable?
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: do you use a range of structures, mostly without errors?

You don’t need to write any addresses. You must write in full sentences and paragraphs, not notes or bullet points.

Choosing the right style

These are the traditional British conventions, and they’re a safe choice. What matters most is that your tone fits the reader and stays consistent from start to finish.

Sample 1: formal letter

Prompt: The bus route you take to work has been changed, and the new timetable causes problems for you. Write a letter to the city transit office. In your letter:

• describe the change to the route
• explain the problems it causes you
• suggest what the transit office could do

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing about the recent changes to the Number 14 bus route, which I have used to travel to work every weekday for the past three years.

Since September 1, the bus no longer stops on Maple Avenue. The nearest stop is now on Grant Street, almost a kilometre from my home. In addition, the first morning bus now leaves at 6:45 a.m. instead of 6:15 a.m.

These changes have caused me serious difficulties. My shift at the hospital starts at 7:00 a.m., so with the later departure I now arrive at least ten minutes late. My manager has been understanding so far, but this cannot continue. The longer walk is also a concern in winter, when the sidewalks are often icy and poorly lit early in the morning.

I would therefore like to suggest that the 6:15 a.m. service be restored, at least on weekdays. Alternatively, a single stop on Maple Avenue during peak hours would solve the problem for many residents in my area.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Daniel Okafor

Why it works: the first paragraph states the purpose at once, and each bullet point gets its own paragraph. Specific details (the route number, the times, the shift start) make the problem easy to follow, and the tone stays polite and firm throughout.

Sample 2: semi-formal letter

Prompt: You would like to take an evening course, but it clashes with your work schedule. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

• explain what course you want to take
• describe how it clashes with your schedule
• suggest a solution

Dear Ms Chen,

I am writing to ask whether it would be possible to make a small change to my work schedule for the next few months.

I have been offered a place on a project management certificate at Lakeshore College. The course runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from January to April, and I believe it would help me take on more responsibility in our team, particularly with the warehouse expansion next year.

Unfortunately, classes start at 5:30 p.m., and my shift on those days currently finishes at 6:00 p.m. The college is about twenty minutes from the office, so I would need to leave by 5:00 p.m. to arrive on time.

Would it be possible for me to start at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays instead of 8:30 a.m.? That way, I would still work my full hours. I would also be happy to cover Friday afternoons, which I know are often short-staffed.

Thank you for considering my request. I would be glad to discuss it at a time that suits you.

Yours sincerely,

Marco Silva

Why it works: the writer is respectful but not stiff, explains why the course benefits the team as well as himself, and offers a concrete solution that keeps his hours the same.

Sample 3: informal letter

Prompt: A friend has invited you to their wedding, but you can’t attend. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• congratulate your friend
• explain why you can’t attend
• suggest another way to celebrate together

Dear Priya,

Thank you so much for the wedding invitation. I was thrilled to hear that you and Sam are finally getting married. You’ve been together for so long that it feels like you’re family to me, and I couldn’t be happier for you both.

I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to come. The date is the same weekend as my citizenship ceremony in Calgary, which I’ve been waiting for since I arrived in Canada. I tried to change it, but the office told me the next available date would be months away, and I don’t want to delay it any longer.

I’d still love to celebrate with you, though. Why don’t I take you both out for dinner when you’re back from your honeymoon? There’s a new Lebanese restaurant near my place that I think you’d love. Or, if you’d prefer, we could have a quiet evening at my apartment and you could show me all the photos.

Have a wonderful day, and give Sam my best.

Love,

Ana

Why it works: the tone is warm and natural, with contractions and friendly phrases, but the letter still covers all three points clearly, in order.

A simple plan for every letter

1. Read the prompt twice and decide who the reader is. That decides the style.
2. Plan one paragraph per bullet point, plus a short opening and closing.
3. Add a detail to each point: a date, a reason, an example.
4. Aim for about 160 to 190 words. You won’t be penalized for going over 150, but a long letter can eat into the time you need for Task 2, which counts twice as much.
5. Save two minutes to check spelling, verb tenses and the closing.

Check your letter-writing skills

Next, try the Task 2 essay guide, or read the IELTS General Training test guide for the full format. For pacing across the hour, see the time management tips.