If you’re taking IELTS General Training, for example for Canada PR, Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter. It’s shorter than the essay, but it’s where many candidates lose easy marks by choosing the wrong tone or missing one of the points they were asked to cover.
The short answer: write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes, cover all three points in the task, and match the tone (formal, semi-formal or informal) to the person you’re writing to. Organise it into clear paragraphs, and leave enough time for Task 2, which counts twice as much.
What the task looks like
You’ll read a short situation and three points to include. For example:
You recently stayed at a hotel and left an item in your room. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter: explain when you stayed at the hotel; describe the item you left; say what you would like the hotel to do.
According to IDP, typical tasks ask you to request or provide information, describe a situation, or explain a problem. You don’t need to include addresses.
Step 1: Decide the tone
| Who you’re writing to | Tone | Opening | Closing |
| Someone you don’t know (a manager, a company) | Formal | Dear Sir or Madam, | Yours faithfully, |
| Someone you know in a professional way (your manager, a landlord you’ve met) | Semi-formal | Dear Mr Sharma, | Yours sincerely, / Kind regards, |
| A friend or relative | Informal | Hi Priya, / Dear Priya, | Best wishes, / Take care, |
Tip: the task tells you who the reader is. Use that, not your own preference.
Step 2: Plan your paragraphs (2–3 minutes)
A simple structure works well:
- Opening line: why you’re writing.
- Paragraph for point 1.
- Paragraph for point 2.
- Paragraph for point 3.
- Closing line and sign-off.
Step 3: Cover all three points fully
Each bullet point needs a clear, developed answer, not one short sentence. If you miss a point or answer it vaguely, it affects how well you’ve achieved the task.
Step 4: Check your word count and language
- Write at least 150 words. Writing fewer is penalised, and IDP says there’s no upper limit. But don’t over-write: Task 2 needs about 40 minutes.
- Use full sentences, not bullet points.
- Keep the tone consistent from start to finish.
Sample formal letter (illustrative)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing regarding an item I left behind during my recent stay at your hotel.
I stayed in room 214 from 3 to 5 October while attending a conference in the city. I checked out early on the morning of 5 October, and I believe I left my laptop charger in the room.
The charger is black, with a long white cable and a small sticker with my initials, “R.K.”, on the plug. It is important to me because it is a replacement part that is difficult to find locally.
I would be grateful if you could check whether the item has been handed in to reception. If it has, I would like it to be sent to the address I provided at check-in, and I am happy to pay any postage costs. Please let me know by email how you would like me to arrange payment.
Thank you for your help.
Yours faithfully, Rahul Kumar
(About 160 words. Illustrative only; it is not an official IELTS sample and is not graded.)
Useful phrases by purpose
| Purpose | Formal | Informal |
| Opening | I am writing to… | Just a quick note to… |
| Request | I would be grateful if you could… | Could you possibly…? |
| Complaint | I was disappointed to find that… | I wasn’t very happy that… |
| Apology | Please accept my apologies for… | I’m really sorry about… |
| Closing | I look forward to hearing from you. | Can’t wait to hear from you! |
Common mistakes
- Wrong tone for the reader, such as “Hey!” to a manager.
- Missing a bullet point, or answering it in one line.
- Mixing tones, such as “Dear Sir or Madam” with “Cheers”.
- Memorised paragraphs that don’t fit the task.
- Spending too long and rushing Task 2.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should the IELTS GT letter be?
At least 150 words. There’s no maximum, but aim to finish in about 20 minutes.
Do I need to write addresses in the IELTS letter?
No. IDP says addresses aren’t required.
Is “Yours faithfully” or “Yours sincerely” correct?
In British-style letters, “Yours faithfully” usually follows “Dear Sir or Madam”, and “Yours sincerely” follows a named recipient.
Which is more important, Task 1 or Task 2?
Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1, so manage your time.
Is General Training Writing easier than Academic?
Task 1 is different (a letter rather than describing a visual), but Task 2 is an essay in both versions. See Academic vs General Training.
Get feedback on your letters
Personal feedback is the fastest way to fix tone and task-response problems. Our one-to-one IELTS training includes writing practice with trainer feedback. Register here.