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IELTS General Writing Task 1
Letter Writing — with Detailed Evaluation

3 Letter Types
20-Min Timer
Detailed Evaluation
Grammar Feedback
Free Band Score

Practice IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 with real exam-style letter prompts covering all 3 letter types — Formal, Semi-Formal and Informal. Write in the timed environment and receive a detailed examiner-style evaluation with grammar corrections, register feedback, vocabulary upgrades and a personalised study plan.

3
Letter Types
20
Minutes
150+
Min Words
9.0
Max Band
Free
Band Score
🔍
Showing 50 tests

Start Your IELTS General Writing Task 1 Practice Today

Practise with real exam-style letter prompts and get detailed examiner feedback — band score, tone check, grammar corrections, vocabulary upgrades and a personalised study plan. Free band score on every test.

Writing Task 1 Tips

How to Score Higher in IELTS General Writing Task 1

Expert strategies to improve your letter writing band score across all four criteria.

Identify the Correct Register First

Before writing a single word, identify who you are writing to. Formal letters use "Dear Sir/Madam" and "Yours faithfully". Semi-formal uses "Dear Mr Smith" and "Yours sincerely". Informal uses "Hi John" and "Best wishes". Getting register wrong is the fastest way to lose Task Achievement marks.

Cover All Three Bullet Points

Every IELTS GT Task 1 question includes three bullet points that must each be addressed clearly. Missing one bullet point will cap your Task Achievement score at Band 5. Allocate roughly 2–3 sentences per bullet point to ensure full coverage within 150–180 words.

Opening & Closing Phrases Must Match

In formal letters: "Dear Sir/Madam" must end with "Yours faithfully". "Dear Mr Jones" must end with "Yours sincerely". Mixing these is a register error. In informal letters, use natural sign-offs like "Looking forward to hearing from you" before "Best wishes".

State Your Purpose in the First Paragraph

Your opening paragraph should clearly state why you are writing — "I am writing to complain about..." or "I am writing to request..." Examiners should know your purpose by the end of the first sentence. Do not build up to it — state it directly.

Use Appropriate Formal & Informal Phrases

Formal letters benefit from phrases like I would be grateful if you could, I am writing with regard to, and I look forward to your prompt response. Informal letters can use contractions (I've, it's, I'd) and natural expressions. Lexical Resource rewards correct register vocabulary — not just "big words".

150 Words Minimum — But Don't Exceed 200

Always write at least 150 words — writing below this incurs a Task Achievement penalty. However, writing more than 200 words increases the risk of errors in grammar and coherence without adding to your band score. Aim for 165–185 words as your target range.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything students ask about IELTS General Training Writing Task 1

What is IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter of at least 150 words in approximately 20 minutes in response to a described situation. The letter may be formal, semi-formal or informal. It contributes approximately one-third of your final Writing band score, with Task 2 contributing the remaining two-thirds.
What are the three types of letters in IELTS GT Writing Task 1?
The three letter types are: Formal Letter — written to an unknown person, organisation or authority (e.g. company manager, government office, newspaper editor). Semi-Formal Letter — written to someone you know professionally or casually (e.g. a neighbour, a landlord, a college tutor). Informal Letter — written to a close friend or family member. All three types require different opening phrases, vocabulary, tone and closing phrases.
How many words should I write in IELTS General Writing Task 1?
You must write a minimum of 150 words. Writing under 150 words will result in a Task Achievement penalty. Most Band 7+ letters are between 165 and 185 words. Writing significantly more than 200 words is not recommended as it increases the risk of grammar and coherence errors within your 20-minute time limit.
How is IELTS General Writing Task 1 scored?
IELTS General Writing Task 1 is assessed across four criteria, each worth 25%: Task Achievement (purpose, bullet points, register), Coherence and Cohesion (logical flow, linking), Lexical Resource (vocabulary range and accuracy), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (sentence variety and correctness). Our evaluation tool provides feedback on all four criteria.
What is the difference between Formal and Semi-Formal letters in IELTS?
A Formal letter is written to someone you do not know — a company, a manager at an organisation, or a public authority. It uses "Dear Sir/Madam" and closes with "Yours faithfully". A Semi-formal letter is written to someone you know by name but maintain a professional relationship with — a landlord, a college tutor, a known employer. It uses "Dear Mr/Ms [surname]" and closes with "Yours sincerely".
Is this IELTS General Writing Task 1 practice free?
All 50 letter tests are free to practise with a free account — sign in, click Start Writing and begin immediately. Every letter gets an AI band score with all four criteria scores. The detailed evaluation (register and tone check, grammar corrections, vocabulary upgrades, model answer) requires a Pro subscription.
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