IELTS General Writing Task 1 Samples

Writing task 1 of the IELTS General Writing test is always letter writing. In Task 1, you will be given a situation, and based on the situation, you will be asked to write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter. It is advisable to spend 20 minutes on Writing task 1, which requires you to write at least 150 words. 

Sample letters for each type of letter asked in the exam is given below for reference. 

Semi-Formal Letter Sample:

Your workplace does not have a parking area for cars, and it is causing some problems. Write a letter to your manager and include the following:

– Describe the problems it has caused.

– Explain what benefits a parking area would bring to the company.

– Suggest a solution.

Sample Answer:

Dear Mr. Johny,

I’m writing this letter to express my concern about the parking space for cars in our office. You are aware that we have recently relocated and do not have parking facilities in this building. 

Let me explain the issue in detail. As we have relocated our organization to a new location, we are facing some problems with parking. Due to an increase in workforce, the number of vehicles has also increased. As a result, we are facing problems with parking. The vehicle owners have to park their vehicles on roadsides and whatever vacant space available near the office building. 

Therefore, I believe that management should address the aforementioned issue to avoid chaos in front of the building and unauthorized parking issues. Having our own parking space will smoothen the parking process and save the time of employees.

I suggest that we rent a nearby vacant space for parking and appoint a guard to assist vehicle owners and stop any confusion. Request you to take the necessary actions at the earliest.

Yours truly,

Ravi

Analysis:

A semi-formal letter is written to someone whom you only know professionally

Points covered in the sample answer:

1. Started with a semi-formal opening salutation (Dear Mr. Johny)
2. The content of the letter is divided into 3 to 4 paragraphs, with the proper structure.
3. The purpose of the letter is addressed at the beginning of the letter.
4. Elaborated on the issue and provided a solution to the problem. 
5. The letter is closed with the right  salutation (Yours truly)
6. Taken care of word limit (169 words)

Formal Letter Sample:

You made a reservation at a hotel for you and your colleagues to stay during a business trip, but you need to make some changes to your booking. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter

– Give details of your booking

– Explain what changes you need to make

– Ask for some special arrangements to be made for your business meetings.

Sample Answer:

Dear Sir/Ma’am

I am Kanika Gupta, and I booked four deluxe rooms in your hotel for six days in August. I am writing this letter to request that you change our booking dates and the number of rooms for the period. 

 I was supposed to stay in the hotel along with three colleagues, from 6th August till 11th August 2021. However, due to the change in meeting dates, we would not be able to check in on the given dates. Hence, I am requesting you to kindly change our arrival dates to 23rd August and departure dates to 28th August. Now that the meeting is postponed, more colleagues will possibly be joining us for the meeting. Therefore, I also request you to increase the number of rooms from three to five. 

Also, now that the meeting is postponed, we would require a new meeting venue. I would like to request arrangements for our business meeting for two days for 15 employees. That would be 24th and 25th August respectively. 

I regret the inconvenience caused to you due to the above changes.

I look forward to a positive response from your end.

Yours sincerely,

Kanika Gupta

Analysis:

A formal letter is for an official purpose and written to someone whom you do not know personally. 

Points covered in the sample answer:

1. Started with a formal opening salutation (Dear Sir/Ma’am)
2. The content of the letter is divided into 3 to 4 paragraphs, with proper structure.
3. The purpose of the letter is addressed at the beginning of the letter.
4. Elaborated on the issue and provided a solution to the problem. 
5. The letter is closed with the right salutation (Yours sincerely)
6. Taken care of word limit (196 words)

Informal Letter Sample:

Write a letter to your friend who lives in a different country about your plan to work overseas. In your letter say

– What jobs do you plan to do?

– Why do you want to work overseas?

– Ask for some information related to jobs, such as salary, working hours and so on.

Sample answer:

Dear Payal

How are you? I hope you are enjoying your life in Canada. I have some great news for you. I have recently appeared for a language test, and I am on cloud nine as I passed with flying colors, and now I am planning to fly.

Actually, it’s my long-held aspiration to get a well-paid job in a country like Canada. Since I am a marketer, I can handle any work in the office and hope to get a decent marketing manager position. As you know, I have experience in multiple fields like sales, counseling, and production. So I hope I will not struggle to seek employment overseas. 

My family encouraged me to migrate to Canada and expand my career there. I have to take this as a challenge because I have never lived away from home. 

Out of all my friends and family, only you work in Canada. I guess you might be able to help discover job opportunities there. Please share some options which are applicable for my qualification and skills. Do tell me about the pay scale and details about the working conditions and working time in Canada. 

Hope to meet soon and have a great time together. 

Warm Regards

Jaspreet 

Analysis:

An informal letter is for personal purpose and written to someone whom you only know personally

Points covered in the sample answer:

1. Started with an informal opening salutation (Dear Payal)
2. The content of the letter is divided into 3 to 4 paragraphs, with proper structure.
3. The purpose of the letter is addressed at the beginning of the letter.
4. Elaborated on the issue and provided a solution to the issue. 
5. The letter is closed with the right salutation (Warm Regards)
6. Taken care of word limit (207 words)

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.
• Leave 2-3 minutes, in the end, to double-check the letter for spelling and grammar errors. 
• Try to only spend 20 minutes on the IELTS Writing task, as Writing task 2 consists of more weightage, and you need to write at least 250 words.
• In Writing task 1, you must write at least 150 words but aim to write 160 to 180 words.
• It is not necessary to have an address on the letter. 
• 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. 

Also check : 

• Formal 
• Semi-Formal
• Informal