IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter in response to a given situation. It could be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on who you are writing to. You have 20 minutes to write at least 150 words, but to score well, your letter needs to be well-structured, relevant, and clearly written.
1. Understand the Letter Type
There are three main types of letters you might be asked to write:
– Formal: To someone you don’t know personally, such as a company or official.
– Semi-formal: To someone you know professionally or casually (e.g., your landlord or a neighbor).
– Informal: To someone you know well, such as a friend or family member.
Tip: Identify the tone from the situation. For example, if the letter starts with “Write to the manager of a hotel,” it should be formal. If it says “Write to your friend,” it’s informal.
IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS
2. Analyze the Prompt Carefully
The question will always give you:
– The situation
– Who you are writing to
– What you need to include (usually three bullet points)
Tip: Address all three bullet points equally. If you miss one, your Task Achievement score will drop.
IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS
3. Use the Right Structure
A good structure helps the examiner follow your ideas clearly. Use this simple four-paragraph structure:
1. Opening Paragraph: State the reason for writing.
2. Paragraph 2: Cover the first bullet point.
3. Paragraph 3: Cover the second and third bullet points.
4. Closing Paragraph: End politely and appropriately.
Tip: For informal letters, you can start with “Hi [Name],” and end with “Best wishes” or “Take care.” For formal letters, use “Dear Sir/Madam” and finish with “Yours faithfully” or “Yours sincerely.”
4. Use Appropriate Language and Tone
Tone refers to how formal or informal your language is. Here’s how tone affects word choice:
– Formal: “I am writing to express my dissatisfaction…”
– Informal: “I just wanted to let you know…”
Tip: Don’t mix formal and informal language. Keep your tone consistent throughout.
5. Improve Coherence and Cohesion
Coherence means your ideas are logically organized. Cohesion refers to how well your sentences link together.
IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS
Useful linking words:
– Formal: However, Therefore, Furthermore, In addition
– Informal: Anyway, By the way, Actually, So
Tip: Don’t overuse linking words. Use them naturally to guide the reader.
6. Watch Grammar and Vocabulary
You don’t need complex grammar, but it must be accurate. Use a variety of sentence structures and avoid repetition.
Examples:
– Instead of “I like the service. The service was good,” say “I really appreciated the excellent service.”
– Use conditionals, passive voice, or modal verbs where appropriate: “I would appreciate it if…”
Tip: Learn 5–10 useful expressions for each letter type.
IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS
7. Time Management
You only have 20 minutes. Spend:
– 3 minutes planning
– 15 minutes writing
– 2 minutes reviewing
Tip: Planning helps you avoid going off-topic and saves time in the long run.
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
– Ignoring the tone
– Missing one of the bullet points
– Writing too few words
– Using contractions in formal letters (e.g., don’t instead of do not)
– Forgetting to paragraph properly
Tip: Aim for 160–180 words. Going far beyond 200 may reduce clarity and increase grammatical mistakes.
Practice writing different types of letters. Review model answers, but don’t memorize them. Focus on expressing your ideas clearly and naturally. Keep tone, structure, and relevance in mind, and you’ll improve your band score significantly.
IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS
IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 TIPS