The International English Language Test System (IELTS) is a standard English assessment that assesses the level of proficiency of the candidate. IELTS is a widely recognised exam among international students and the working population. The exam is accepted as proof of English language proficiency in more than 11,000 educational institutions in countries across the world, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and France, among others. The IELTS exam contains four sections that determine the language skills of the candidate. Here’s everything you should know about the IELTS general writing task 1.
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Table of Contents
- IELTS GT writing task 1: An overview
- A walkthrough on IELTS General Training
- IELTS general writing task 1: Key highlights
- IELTS general writing task 1 samples
- Best tips to prepare for IELTS GT writing task 1
- Frequently asked questions
IELTS GT writing task 1: An overview
| No. of tasks | 1 |
| Word limit (in words) | 150 |
| Duration (in minutes) | 20 |
| Question format | A formal, semi-formal, or personal letter |
A walkthrough on IELTS General Training
It is important to learn about the exam before preparing to work on the tasks. The IELTS General Training exam is taken by those who plan to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country.
The IELTS General Training syllabus consists of four sections.
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
IELTS general writing pattern 2025
No. of tasks: 2
Total duration: 60 minutes
The IELTS exam pattern for general writing consists of two tasks - a letter and an essay. The tasks have a word limit of 150-250 words, and you must complete them in 60 minutes.
IELTS general writing syllabus 2025
It is important to remember that the IELTS exam syllabus for the writing section differs from the Academic and General Training versions.
| Task | IELTS General Training |
| Task 1 | A letter-writing task where you are required to write a letter explaining an issue or requesting a piece of information. The letter can be in a personal, semi-formal, or formal style. |
| Task 2 | An essay writing task where you should convey your point of view for an argument or a problem. It is necessary to keep the tone a little personal. |
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IELTS general writing task 1: Key highlights
- IELTS GT writing task 1 is a letter of at least 150 words where you are given a situation, and you should provide a personal response per the instructions.
- You will be asked to request a piece of information or explain a situation concerning the task.
- The task will be assessed based on your ability to provide factual information, express your needs and requirements, and convey your opinion clearly.
- Even though Task 2’s score contributes twice as Task 1, the IELTS Writing Task 1 general holds equal importance, and it is necessary to prepare well for the assessment.
IELTS GT writing task 1: Grading criteria
- Task achievement
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
IELTS general writing task 1 samples
It is essential to get enough practice for the IELTS general writing task 1 to improve your skills and perform well in the exam. The task can request you to provide or elaborate on any information, so it depends on the candidate to create a response that satisfies the requirements of the grading criteria. There are several IELTS general writing task 1 samples available for candidates to practice and improve their writing skills.
IELTS general writing task 1: Example 1
A friend of yours has agreed to look after your apartment and pet while you go on an important business trip. Write a letter to your friend with the below-mentioned details.
- Contact details for when you are away
- Instructions about the care and maintenance of your pet
- Essential household duties
Write at least 150 words in the letter. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
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IELTS general writing task 1: Example 2
Write a letter to the administration of a shopping mall, explaining a valuable item you lost in the place. In your letter,
- Describe the item lost
- Explain where and when you last saw it
- Request the administration to work on the action you would like them to take
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
IELTS general writing task 1: Example 3
Write a letter to your college accommodation officer, share your concerns about your dormitory, and request a room change. In your letter,
- Mention the room and block of the building you live in
- Explain the problems you face in the current room
- Request the administrator to change your room from next term
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Also Read: Complex Sentence for IELTS
Best tips to prepare for IELTS GT writing task 1
Students often find the IELTS writing section difficult, but regular practice and developing language skills can help them ace the test. Here are some vital tips on how to prepare for the IELTS exam.
- Understand the exam format and learn about the grading criteria. This helps you to have a better knowledge of the exam and eases your preparation process.
- Prepare a study schedule to plan things ahead and save time. It also helps you keep a clear track of your progress during preparation.
- Develop your vocabulary by reading books, magazines, and newspapers. This contributes to the development of your English skills.
- Improve your grammar by observing the sentence structure, vocabulary, and punctuation used in the reading materials. Make sure to understand the grammar rules you need to know for IELTS for better scoring.
- Make use of online tests and practice materials. There are several IELTS general training writing task 1 sample with answer pdf that would help you improve your language skills and increase your pace for the exam.
- Start practising writing every day. Develop frameworks to write the letter in a structured format. It is also important to analyse your mistakes and work on them.
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Frequently asked questions
What is writing task 1 in IELTS for general training?
The IELTS general writing task 1 is where you are required to provide a personal response requesting a piece of information or explain an issue you are facing. The letter should be at least 150 words; you are expected to finish the task in 20 minutes.
What are the opening sentences for IELTS general writing task 1?
It is important to keep the tone of your writing throughout the task. If it is a formal letter, remember to keep the tone formal in the entire task. Here are some ideas for opening sentences in IELTS general writing task 1.
- Formal letter: Hello, I hope this letter finds you well.
- Informal letter: Hello, I hope you are doing well.
What is the most common type of question in IELTS writing task 1?
Some common questions for writing task 1 general are reporting a lost item to the respective authority, writing to the college about accommodation, and providing instructions to a friend who agreed to take care of your place while you were away.
How can I improve my IELTS general writing task 1?
Here are some ways you can improve your skills for IELTS general writing task 1.
- Practice with the help of online tests and practice materials. IELTS general training writing task 1 sample with answer pdf can help you improve your writing skills.
- Practice writing every day. Develop frameworks to write the letter in a structured format.
How many writing tasks are in IELTS general training?
There are two tasks in the IELTS General Training - a letter and an essay. The tasks have a word limit ranging from 150 to 250 words. You are required to complete it in 60 minutes.
