IELTS Sample Letters for Writing Task 1: IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 asks test takers to write a letter in response to a given situation. This IELTS Writing Task 1 evaluates your ability to communicate clearly and appropriately in written English for daily social and workplace contexts. Understanding the types of letters and practicing with sample questions is essential to achieve a high IELTS band scores.
In Task 1 of the General Training Writing module, you are required to write a letter of at least 150 words. The task includes a brief description of a situation followed by three bullet points you must address in your letter. You have 20 minutes to complete this task.
The letter can be:
Formal – written to someone you don’t know personally, like a company manager or public authority.
Semi-formal – written to someone you know professionally or casually, such as a neighbour or colleague.
Informal – written to a friend or close acquaintance.
Check:- Types of IELTS Writing Task 1 questions
It is important to recognise the type of letter you're being asked to write. Here are the three main types:
Letter Type |
Recipient |
Tone |
Example Situation |
---|---|---|---|
Formal |
Someone you don’t know personally |
Formal |
Writing to a company or government office |
Semi-formal |
Someone you know in a professional setting |
Polite but not overly formal |
Writing to your landlord or teacher |
Informal |
A friend or close acquaintance |
Casual and friendly |
Writing to a friend or family member |
Click Here to Explore IELTS Online Courses
To write an effective letter, you should follow a clear structure:
Greeting (Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr Smith, Dear John)
Introduction (State the purpose of the letter)
Body Paragraph 1 (Address the first bullet point)
Body Paragraph 2 (Address the second bullet point)
Body Paragraph 3 (Address the third bullet point)
Closing (Express expectations or gratitude)
Sign-off (Yours sincerely, Best regards, etc.)
Also Check:
You recently ordered an item online, but the item arrived damaged. Write a letter to the online store.
In your letter:
Explain the situation
Describe the damage
Say what you want the company to do
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with an item I purchased from your online store on 10 May 2025. I ordered a set of ceramic dishes (Order ID: 347891) and received the package yesterday.
Unfortunately, upon opening the parcel, I discovered that two of the plates were broken. The packaging appeared to be insufficient, and it seems the items were damaged during transit.
I would appreciate it if you could send me a replacement for the damaged items or issue a full refund. I have attached photographs of the broken plates as proof.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Yours faithfully,
James Taylor
You live in a rented flat. The heating system has stopped working. Write a letter to your landlord.
In your letter:
Explain the situation
Describe how it is affecting you
Say what you would like the landlord to do
Dear Mr Singh,
I hope you are well. I am writing to inform you about an issue with the heating system in the flat I rent at 45 Greenview Avenue.
Since the past two days, the central heating has not been working. As the temperatures have dropped significantly, the flat has become quite uncomfortable, especially during the evenings. This is affecting my sleep and daily routine.
I would be grateful if you could arrange for a technician to repair the system at your earliest convenience. Please let me know if you would like me to coordinate with a repair service.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Best regards,
Sara Mitchell
IELTS Letter Writing Essential Tips
Your friend is coming to stay at your house while you are away. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter:
Give your friend instructions about how to get into the house
Tell your friend what things he or she can do in your absence
Explain how to contact you
Dear Tom,
I’m so glad you’ll be staying at my place while I’m away next week! I’ve left the spare key under the flower pot near the back door. Once inside, feel free to use the guest room upstairs.
While I’m gone, you can use the Wi-Fi, watch Netflix on the TV, and even help yourself to the snacks in the kitchen. If the weather’s nice, the garden’s also a great place to relax.
If you need to reach me, just send a message on WhatsApp or email me. I’ll be checking both regularly.
Take care and enjoy your stay!
Cheers,
Alex
Here are some common letter types you might encounter in the IELTS General Writing Task 1:
Letter Type |
Typical Situation |
Tone |
---|---|---|
Complaint |
Faulty product, poor service, noise disturbance |
Formal |
Request |
Asking for information, favours, documents |
Formal/Semi-formal |
Apology |
Missing an event, causing inconvenience |
Informal/Semi-formal |
Invitation |
Inviting a friend or colleague |
Informal/Semi-formal |
Advice/Recommendation |
Suggesting actions or offering help |
Informal/Semi-formal |
Explanation |
Giving reasons for an absence, delay, or issue |
Formal/Informal |
IELTS Writing Task 1 Related Links | |
---|---|
IELTS General Writing Task 1 | IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors |
IELTS Pie Chart Writing Task 1 | IELTS Writing Word Limit Guidelines |
Physics Wallah provides top-notch online IELTS coaching tailored for students. This course aims to effectively support students in their IELTS preparation journey.
IELTS Exam Other Related Links | |
---|---|
IELTS exam | IELTS Academic Vs General |
IELTS Registration | IELTS Eligibility Criteria |
IELTS Exam Pattern | IDP IELTS Test Centers |
IELTS Cut Off | IELTS Syllabus |