IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING TOP TIPS
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 requires you to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter based on a given situation. You must complete the task in 150 words in about 20 minutes. Your response is assessed on four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
1. Understand the Purpose and Tone of the Letter
One of the most important steps is to identify the purpose and tone (formal, semi-formal, or informal) from the question prompt.
– Formal: Writing to someone you don’t know personally (e.g. a company manager, landlord).
> Use polite, professional language.
> Do not use contractions (e.g. use “I am” instead of “I’m”).
– Semi-formal: Writing to someone you know in a professional context.
> Use a respectful but friendly tone.
– Informal: Writing to a friend or someone you know well.
> Use conversational language and contractions.
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
Tip: Use an appropriate salutation:
– Formal: Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Mr. Smith
– Informal: Dear John
2. Cover All Bullet Points Clearly
Each task will provide three bullet points you must cover. Your response must address all three in a balanced and clear way.
Tip: Organize each paragraph around one bullet point to ensure clarity and full coverage of the task.
Example:
You are writing to a friend to thank them for lending you a laptop.
– Paragraph 1: Thank them
– Paragraph 2: Describe how it helped
– Paragraph 3: Mention a small gift or gesture
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
3. Structure Your Letter Properly
A well-organized letter usually follows this structure:
1. Greeting (Dear…)
2. Introduction (State the purpose of writing)
3. Main body (3 paragraphs – one for each bullet point)
4. Closing remark (E.g., I hope to hear from you soon.)
5. Sign off (Yours sincerely / Best wishes / Kind regards)
Tip: Avoid jumping randomly between points—stick to the logical flow.
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
4. Use a Wide Range of Vocabulary and Expressions
To achieve a high band in Lexical Resource, use a variety of expressions and avoid repeating words.
Examples:
– Instead of “thank you,” say: I really appreciate your help.
– Instead of “helped me,” say: was extremely useful / proved invaluable.
Tip: Include topic-related vocabulary depending on the task—e.g., travel, business, complaint, apology, etc.
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
5. Link Your Ideas Smoothly
To score well in Coherence and Cohesion, use linking phrases to connect your ideas.
Useful Linking Words:
– Firstly, secondly, finally
– In addition
– As a result
– However
– Therefore
– I would like to point out that…
Tip: Do not overuse linking words—use them naturally and appropriately.
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
6. Vary Your Grammar
Show a range of sentence structures to score well in Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Examples:
– Use conditionals: If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
– Use passive voice: The issue was resolved quickly.
– Use complex sentences: Although I was nervous, the meeting went well.
Tip: Avoid basic sentence repetition. Practice combining simple ideas into complex sentences.
7. Plan Before You Write
Spend 3–5 minutes planning:
– Identify the tone
– Outline paragraph points
– Think of specific phrases or vocabulary
Tip: Planning saves time in editing and ensures better structure.
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
8. Leave Time to Review
Use the last 2–3 minutes to proofread:
– Check grammar and punctuation
– Make sure all points are covered
– Correct spelling mistakes
Final Checklist:
– Is the tone appropriate?
– Are all three bullet points fully developed?
– Is the structure logical and clear?
– Have you used varied vocabulary and grammar?
– Is the letter at least 150 words?
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING
IELTS WRITING TASK 1 GENERAL TRAINING