IELTS Writing Task 1 General: Format, Samples & Guide

If you’ve ever stared at an IELTS General Training writing prompt and wondered where to even start, you’re in the majority. Task 1 asks you to produce a letter—sometimes formal, sometimes not—under timed conditions, and the difference between Band 6 and Band 7 often comes down to a few structural choices most candidates never learn. This guide breaks down the exact format, scoring criteria, and sample letters you need to target Band 7 or higher.

Minimum words required: 150 · Recommended time: 20 minutes · Task type: Letter writing · Weight in score: One-third of Writing module · Letter types: Formal, semi-formal, informal

What is the Writing Task 1 General format?

The table below summarizes the core specifications that define Task 1 performance targets.

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 asks you to respond to a real-world situation by writing a letter. The task accounts for one-third of your total writing score, and examiners evaluate your response across four equally weighted criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (British Council official band descriptors). You must write at least 150 words in 20 minutes.

Letter types

The three main letter types each require a different tone and register. Formal letters go to people you do not know or do not have a personal relationship with—companies, government offices, or institutions—and open with salutations like “Dear Sir or Madam” and close with “Yours faithfully” (Career Wise English sample letters). Semi-formal letters address people you know in a professional capacity—a colleague, a neighbor, or an acquaintance—and use a warmer but still respectful tone. Informal letters go to friends or family members and allow a conversational register, opening with “Dear [First Name]” and closing with “Best regards” or “Yours sincerely.”

Word count and timing

The official minimum is 150 words, but Band 7 candidates typically write 160 to 180 words to fully develop each of the three bullet points. Time management matters: spend roughly 5 minutes planning, 10 to 12 minutes writing, and the final 3 to 5 minutes proofreading for errors (IELTS9 Task 1 tips).

Scoring criteria

Each criterion carries 25% of your Task 1 mark. Task Achievement evaluates whether you cover all bullet points, maintain a clear purpose, and use an appropriate tone. Coherence and Cohesion measures logical organization, paragraph structure, and the use of linking devices. Lexical Resource assesses vocabulary range and accuracy. Grammatical Range and Accuracy examines sentence variety and error frequency. Your final band score is the average of all four criteria (IELTS Liz band scores breakdown).

The implication: candidates who master register flexibility and bullet-point coverage gain a structural advantage that most Band 6 responses miss.

Writing Task 1 General sample answers

Seeing a Band 7 model letter alongside the marking criteria turns an abstract target into something you can actually replicate. Official and expert-graded samples show exactly how candidates fulfill each criterion under exam conditions.

Formal letter example

• Opening: State your reason immediately—”I am writing to request information about…” or “I am writing to bring a delivery error to your attention and to request an urgent resolution.” (Career Wise English letter samples)
• Body: Address each bullet point in a separate paragraph, developing each one with specific detail before moving to the next
• Closing: End with a polite request for action—”I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter” or “I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.”
• Salutation: “Dear Sir or Madam,” with closing “Yours faithfully,”

Informal letter example

• Opening: A friendly personal greeting—”Hi [Name],” or “Dear [First Name],”
• Body: Conversational but organized, covering each bullet point naturally as part of the conversation
• Closing: Warm sign-off—”Love,” “Best wishes,” or “Take care,” followed by your first name

Band 7 model characteristics

Band 7 Task Achievement means covering most of what the task asks with a clear purpose and consistent tone (IDP IELTS official guidance). For Coherence and Cohesion, Band 7 candidates organize thoughts logically and use conjunctions effectively. Lexical Resource at Band 7 shows a good range of vocabulary with some uncommon phrases and only minor spelling errors. Grammatical Range at this level uses complex structures like the third conditional, frequent error-free sentences, and minimal punctuation mistakes (OTUK band descriptors).

IELTS Writing Task 1 General computer based

The computer-delivered IELTS uses the same Task 1 criteria as the paper-based test—no content changes, same band descriptors, same scoring weight (IELTS.org assessment criteria). The main differences are practical: you type instead of handwrite, and an on-screen word counter tracks your progress in real time.

Typing vs handwriting

If you are more comfortable typing, computer-delivered testing eliminates the handwriting penalty that affects some paper candidates. You can easily delete and restructure sentences, which some candidates find reduces the anxiety of committing to a first draft.

Word count tools

The computer interface displays a live word count, which removes the manual effort of tracking whether you have exceeded the 150-word minimum. This lets you focus entirely on content quality rather than word-count arithmetic.

Practice tips

• Practice typing your letters on a plain word processor without spell-check to mimic real test conditions
• Set a timer for 20 minutes and do not stop until the timer ends—this builds the stamina for sustained writing under pressure
• Use the on-screen word counter as a reference point, but aim for 160 to 180 words rather than writing exactly 150, which gives you a safety margin

Writing Task 1 General IELTS pdf and Cambridge resources

Official publications from IELTS.org, the British Council, and Cambridge University Press provide the most reliable preparation materials. These sources publish sample tasks, band descriptors, and practice tests that reflect the actual exam format.

Official sample tasks

IELTS.org published official sample tasks for General Training Writing in 2023, including model letter prompts covering requests for information, explanations of situations, and complaint scenarios (IELTS.org official sample tasks PDF). These are freely downloadable and represent the closest representation of what appears on test day.

Cambridge practice books

The Cambridge IELTS Academic Series (Books 17 and 18, with Books 15 and 16 still widely used) includes General Training practice tests with authentic prompts and answer keys. Each book contains four complete practice tests that follow the current format precisely. Cambridge books also include sample Band 7 and Band 8 letters with examiner comments, giving you a clear view of what each band level looks like on paper.

Free downloads

• British Council band descriptors PDF: Available at takeielts.britishcouncil.org, this document lists exactly what examiners look for at each band level
• IDP IELTS preparation articles: IDP publishes task-specific guidance on Task Achievement and other criteria for free on their website
• IELTS Liz free resources: A widely used expert resource that breaks down each criterion with examples and practice prompts

Writing Task 1 General vs CELPIP and future changes

The two most widely taken English language tests for immigration and professional purposes—IELTS General Training and CELPIP—share similar goals but differ in format, timing, and scoring. Understanding these differences helps you decide which test suits your situation or whether to prepare for both.

CELPIP differences

CELPIP’s writing component includes an email response task that some candidates describe as more straightforward than IELTS because it does not require you to choose between formal and informal registers. The email format is consistently semi-formal, and the prompt specifies the exact tone. IELTS General Training Task 1, by contrast, requires you to identify the recipient from the scenario and adjust your register accordingly—a skill that tests broader situational awareness.

2026 updates

No confirmed changes to the General Training Task 1 format for 2026 have been announced by IELTS.org, IDP, or the British Council as of the latest available information. The 150-word minimum and four-criteria scoring system remain in place. Any future updates would likely be announced at least six months in advance through official test provider channels.

Task 2 overview

General Training Task 2—an essay worth the remaining two-thirds of the writing score—follows immediately after Task 1. The essay requires you to write at least 250 words on an argument or discussion topic, with Task 2 carrying more weight than Task 1 in the overall writing band calculation. Most candidates allocate 40 minutes to Task 2 and 20 minutes to Task 1, though some prefer to split time equally if they find Task 1 quicker to complete.

How to write a Band 7 letter in 5 steps

The most effective approach to Task 1 General is to treat it as a structured writing exercise with predictable components. Follow these five steps from planning to proofreading to produce a consistent, Band 7-level response.

What examiners and experts say

Accuracy beats complexity: A Band 7 response with simple, accurate language will always outscore a response with complex vocabulary used incorrectly.

— IELTS Advantage (IELTS Expert resource)

Task completion is crucial: Every high band response directly addresses what the task asks for. No exceptions.

— IELTS Advantage (IELTS Expert resource)

I am writing to bring a delivery error to your attention and to request an urgent resolution.

— Band 7 Sample Letter (Student Sample)

The pattern across expert evaluations is consistent: band scores are not earned through impressive vocabulary alone but through precise task fulfillment. Every bullet point addressed, every tone matched to the recipient, and every paragraph logically organized—these mechanical requirements, executed reliably, are what push candidates into Band 7 territory.

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IELTS Writing Task 1 General focuses on letters where mastering formats from this step-by-step letter guide can elevate your response to band 7+ level effortlessly.

Frequently asked questions

Candidates who follow the three-part letter structure, match register to recipient, address all three bullet points with specific supporting details, and proofread for errors consistently achieve Band 7 or above on Task 1 General.