IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples with Answers

IELTS General Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter in response to a given situation. This task assesses your ability to communicate effectively, using appropriate tone and structure for different scenarios.

In this blog, we will explore ways to approach writing task 1 general, IELTS general writing task 1 with answers and provide you with IELTS general training writing task 1 sample with answer PDF to help you ace this section.

If you want to know about the IELTS Writing Task 1 of IELTS General exam, check the pointers given in the video given below.

IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples with Answers

Practising IELTS General Writing Task 1 practice tests and IELTS general writing task 1 samples are the best to prepare for this module. So, sample letters for each type of letter asked in IELTS General Writing Task 1 are given below for reference.

IELTS Writing Task 1 General Samples for Formal Letters with Answers

A formal letter is for an official purpose and written to someone whom you do not know personally. Let’s look at some of the IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Formal Letters with answers below.

General IELTS Writing Task 1 Semi-formal Letter Samples with Answers

A semi-formal letter is written to someone whom you only know professionally. Have a look at the IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Semi Formal Letters with sample answers.

IELTS General Writing Task 1 Informal Letter Samples with Answers

An informal letter is for personal purpose and written to someone whom you only know personally. Explore the IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Informal Letters with sample answers given below.

6 Steps to Approach Your Writing Task 1 General Task

It is important to learn the appropriate steps to answer the IELTS Letter Writing topics for IELTS Writing Task 1 general before checking out the IELTS writing task 1 general samples. They are:

Step 1: Understand the Task

• The first step is to read the given prompt carefully. It will help you to identify the purpose of the letter (e.g., complaint, request, or invitation) and note the required tone (formal, semi-formal, or informal).
• Apart from the question statement, the task will list three key points you must address. These serve as the structure for your letter.

Step 2: Determine the Tone and Style

The IELTS letter writing task comes in three tones - formal, informal and semi-formal. Learn what kind of tone and style you should follow for each below.

• Formal: Use polite, professional language for business-related or official correspondence. Avoid contractions or casual expressions.
• Semi-Formal: Use a polite yet slightly conversational tone for writing to someone you know but not personally (e.g., a landlord or teacher).
• Informal: Use friendly, casual language for personal letters to friends or family. Contractions, idioms, and phrasal verbs are acceptable.

Step 3: Plan Your Letter

Once you have identified the type of the letter, take 2-3 minutes to outline your response.

• Introduction: Explain the purpose of the letter.
• Body Paragraphs: Dedicate a paragraph to each bullet point, addressing all aspects with clear details.
• Closing Statement: Summarize the main message and include a call to action if required (e.g., “Please let me know if you need further details.”).

Step 4: Use Proper Structure

The basic structure of IELTS Writing Task 1 letters are:

• Salutation: Start with "Dear [Name/Title]" (e.g., "Dear Sir/Madam" for formal or "Dear John" for informal).
• Introduction: A brief explanation of why you’re writing (e.g., “I’m writing to express my concerns about…”).
• Body: Address the three bullet points in logical order. Use one paragraph per point.
• Closing: End appropriately based on the tone:
  • Formal: "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully."
  • Semi-Formal/Informal: "Best wishes" or "Take care."

Step 5: Follow Word Count and Grammar Rules

You have to follow the word count, which is at least 150 words. However, it is recommended to keep it within 200 words. Additionally, using varied sentence structures, accurate grammar, and task-appropriate IELTS vocabulary and avoiding spelling errors and repetition will fetch you a better score.

Step 6: Proofread Your Letter

Finally, spend the last 2-3 minutes reviewing your letter for:

• Completeness: Did you address all bullet points?
• Grammar: Check for IELTS Grammar like subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and spelling.
• Tone: Ensure consistency throughout the letter.

Tips to Improve Writing Skills for IELTS General Writing Task 1

Given below are some IELTS General Writing task 1 tips to improve your letter writing skills:

• Take 20 minutes to complete the letter-writing task. Spend 2-3 minutes preparing the format and content of the letter.
• Try to only spend 20 minutes on the IELTS Writing task 1, as Writing task 2 consists of more weightage, and you need to write at least 250 words.
• It is not necessary to have an address on the letter for General IELTS Writing Task 1.
• Start your letter by clearly outlining the reason for your correspondence. The purpose of your writing should be made apparent in the first paragraph. The situation given in the question must be directly addressed in the letter's aim.
• Pay careful attention to who you’re writing to and the nature of your relationship with them. This will determine the writing tone and style.
• It is critically important to organise your letter around the three points mentioned in the question. If you fail to include any of the three points, your band score will be affected.
• Always take care of the opening and closing salutations.
• Words like ‘however’, ‘therefore’, and ‘in addition’ enhance cohesion. So, use appropriate connectors for Writing Task 1 wherever necessary.

Recommended Reads:

• Structure for IELTS General Writing Task 1
• Formal Letter to Principal Topics: The Essential Guide with Sample Answers
• IELTS Writing - How to Write Formal Letter (From Band 5.5 to 8.0)
• How to End an Informal Letter to a Friend? - IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Suggestion Letter: Structure, Useful Phrases & Samples
• The Ultimate Guide to IELTS Resignation Letters
• Improve IELTS General Training Letter