IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: A Letter That Answers the Whole Question

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, write a letter of at least 150 words that answers every part of the situation. Choose a tone that fits the recipient, make your purpose clear early, and develop the three bullet points with relevant detail. Allow about 20 minutes within the shared 60-minute Writing test. IELTS explains the format here.

The hard part is often deciding what the reader needs to know. A polite opening cannot compensate for a missing request or an unexplained problem. This guide works through those decisions using an original practice letter. If your test asks you to describe a chart, use the Academic Task 1 guide instead.

Choose your tone from the relationship

Before planning paragraphs, write two notes: who will read the letter, and what should happen after they read it? A manager you know and a close friend need different language, even if both letters ask to change an arrangement.

These are examples, not compulsory formulas. Formal, semi-formal and informal are useful labels, but the actual relationship controls the choice. Avoid switching from a very formal opening to slang in the next paragraph. Follow any greeting supplied in the question. Otherwise, choose one that fits the recipient; do not invent a complicated address block.

Turn the bullet points into a coverage plan

A bullet can contain two jobs. “Explain what happened and how it affected you” requires both the event and its consequence. Underline each instruction verb and check words such as and, why and what. Plan a short, concrete answer for each job.

Here is an original PrepEx practice prompt. It is independent teaching material, not a recalled or official IELTS question.

You help at a neighbourhood repair café once a month. You would like to introduce a new activity there. Write a letter to the café coordinator. In your letter:

• describe the activity you would like to introduce
• explain how visitors would benefit
• say what help you would need from the coordinator.

Write at least 150 words.

The recipient is someone you know through volunteering. A friendly but respectful tone suits the situation. The plan could be: short clothing-repair demonstrations; visitors learn basic repairs and practise with support; ask for a table, a short announcement and permission to bring equipment. Each detail helps the coordinator understand or act on the proposal.

An original sample letter

This sample demonstrates coverage and tone. It has not been awarded an official band score.

Dear Ms Patel,

I have enjoyed helping at the repair café over the past six months, and I would like to suggest a short clothing-repair session for our next event.

My idea is to show visitors how to replace a button and repair a small tear. I could demonstrate both techniques at the start of the afternoon, then stay at the table while people try them on their own clothes. I would bring spare fabric so that anyone without a damaged item could still take part.

Several visitors have asked me about basic sewing, but our volunteers usually repair items for them. This session would give people a chance to learn skills they could use at home. It would also be suitable for beginners who feel nervous about asking for help.

Would you be able to reserve a table near the window and mention the activity in the next café notice? I can provide needles and thread, although I would appreciate permission to use the café's scissors. Please let me know whether this would fit the programme.

Kind regards,
Leila

Check what each paragraph contributes

• Opening: establishes the volunteering relationship and proposal immediately.
• Activity: explains two specific repairs, the demonstration and the chance to practise. The spare fabric resolves a practical participation issue.
• Benefit: explains what visitors learn and why a beginner might value the session.
• Help needed: makes concrete requests while distinguishing what the writer can supply.

Notice that the letter does not claim the activity will transform the neighbourhood. The details are enough to make the proposal credible. A different response could propose bicycle maintenance or a tool-care demonstration and still fulfil the task. The sample's ideas and paragraph count are choices, not an answer key.

Replace vague sentences with useful detail

Take the sentence “This activity will be very beneficial for everyone.” The reader cannot tell who benefits or how. A more useful version is: “Visitors could practise replacing a button before trying the same repair on a favourite shirt.” The revision identifies an action and an outcome.

The opposite problem is adding a long story that delays the requested information. Two paragraphs about learning to sew as a child would use space without helping this coordinator decide. Keep details connected to the bullet point they support.

Use the same test for complaints. “The service was terrible” gives little evidence. A specific account of the missing service, its consequence and the requested remedy is easier to understand. Do not make every complaint aggressive; a clear request usually gives the letter a more consistent purpose.

A 20-minute practice routine

Try three minutes to read and plan, fourteen to write, and three to check. This is a suggested practice split, not three separately timed official stages. Adjust it after a few attempts while protecting time for Task 2.

1. Identify recipient, purpose and every requested detail.
2. Draft connected paragraphs, keeping the purpose visible.
3. Compare your draft with the question before polishing vocabulary.
4. Check tense, subject–verb agreement, articles, spelling and consistent names or dates.
5. Check the minimum length and remove irrelevant material.

During review, label one missing-content problem and one language problem separately. “I did not explain the benefit” needs a new idea. “Visitors learns” needs a grammar correction. Changing vocabulary will not fix the first problem.

Common questions

Do I need an overview in a General Training letter?

A letter needs a clear purpose and appropriate development of the requested points. Do not import the chart-summary overview used in Academic Task 1. A short opening that explains why you are writing is usually useful.

Can I use bullet points in the answer?

Write the submitted letter as connected prose. The task's bullets tell you what to cover; they are not the format for your response. Planning notes can be brief, but the reader should receive a complete letter.

Is there one template for every letter?

A reusable planning process is safer than a memorised letter. A request, invitation, apology and complaint have different purposes. Adapt the opening, detail and closing to the situation rather than forcing the question into prepared sentences.

Does a longer letter get a higher band?

No. Meet the minimum and develop relevant details. Extra length alone does not show better writing, and it can reduce the time available for Task 2. The official descriptors consider task fulfilment, organisation, vocabulary and grammar.

Choose the right next practice

Use the official General Training sample materials for more letter tasks. PrepEx's current Task 1 practice catalogue focuses on Academic visuals; it should not be treated as a dedicated General Training letter mock. You can still use the Task 2 question-planning guide and the shared Listening and Speaking guides.

If you are unsure which test you need, read Academic versus General Training before building a study plan.

Format and assessment sources checked on 2 October 2026. Examples and practice routines are original PrepEx editorial material.

Browse all IELTS preparation guides for related tasks and study resources.