IELTS General Writing > 01. General Writing Task 1

The IELTS General Writing Task 1 is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in written form through a letter. This task is essential for candidates taking the General Training module, as it tests practical writing skills relevant to everyday life. Understanding the requirements and preparing accordingly can significantly improve your performance.

What Is Involved in Task 1?

In this task, you are given a situation and asked to write a response of at least 150 words. The response must be structured as a letter. The scenarios are based on everyday life, such as:

Reporting an issue with your accommodation.

Explaining a situation to an employer.

Writing to express concerns about a community project.

Requesting help or information from a service provider.

Each question includes three bullet points outlining the key aspects to address in your letter. For example, if the task involves writing to a landlord about heating issues, the bullet points might ask you to describe the problem, explain how it affects you, and suggest a solution.

The task is not only about what you write but also how you write it. The style and tone-whether personal, semi-formal, or formal-must suit the recipient of the letter.

Key Features to Consider

1. Audience and Tone:

Personal: Use a conversational and friendly tone when writing to a friend or someone you know well.

Semi-formal: Maintain a polite and neutral tone for acquaintances or informal professional relationships.

Formal: Use professional and respectful language for official matters or when addressing someone you don't know.

2. Content and Organisation:

Your letter should have a clear structure:

Opening: Greet the recipient appropriately and state the purpose of the letter.

Body: Address the three bullet points, ensuring each is covered in a logical and well-developed manner.

Closing: Conclude with a polite remark or call to action, depending on the purpose of the letter.

3. Length and Time Management:

Write at least 150 words within the recommended 20 minutes. While writing more is not penalised, ensure every word contributes meaningfully to your letter, as longer responses may take up time needed for Task 2.

4. No Addresses Required:

Unlike traditional letters, you do not need to include addresses in your response.

Skills Tested in Task 1

The following skills are assessed:

Clarity and Coherence: Ensuring your letter is easy to understand and flows logically.

Task Achievement: Covering all bullet points and fully addressing the requirements.

Language Accuracy: Using appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures.

Style and Register: Adopting the correct tone and level of formality for the recipient.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Identifying the Right Tone:

Misjudging the tone can lead to inappropriate phrasing. Practice writing letters to different audiences to become comfortable with varying levels of formality.

2. Time Management:

Allocate time wisely: 2 minutes to plan, 15 minutes to write, and 3 minutes to proofread. This ensures a well-thought-out response with minimal errors.

3. Covering All Bullet Points:

Use the bullet points as a checklist while writing to avoid missing any required information.

4. Language Errors:

Frequent mistakes in grammar or vocabulary can lower your score. Regularly practice letter writing and review your work with resources like ieltspro.uk, which offers expert feedback tailored to IELTS preparation.

Example Task and Response

Example Task:

You have recently moved into a new apartment but are having some problems. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:

Describe the problem.

Explain how it affects you.

Suggest what you would like the landlord to do.

Sample Response:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention some issues I have encountered in the apartment I recently rented at 123 Elm Street.

Firstly, the heating system is not functioning properly. As the weather has become quite cold, this has made it very uncomfortable to stay indoors, especially during the evenings. Additionally, there seems to be a persistent leak under the kitchen sink, which has started to cause water damage to the cabinet below.

These problems have significantly affected my day-to-day living. The lack of proper heating has made it difficult to concentrate on work, while the leaking sink is creating a mess and could potentially lead to further damage if not addressed promptly.

I would appreciate it if you could arrange for a technician to repair the heating system and a plumber to fix the sink at your earliest convenience. Please let me know if you need any additional details or prefer me to coordinate with the repair services.

Thank you for your prompt attention to these matters. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Final Tips for Success

1. Practice Regularly: Use sample tasks to practice writing letters for various scenarios.

2. Understand Tone: Develop a clear sense of when to use personal, semi-formal, and formal language.

3. Proofread Your Work: Allocate a few minutes at the end to check for errors.

4. Seek Expert Guidance: Platforms like ieltspro.uk can provide valuable resources and feedback to refine your writing skills.

By mastering these aspects of General Writing Task 1, you can approach the test with confidence and achieve the score you need.