The International Language English Testing System is one of the most popular English proficiency tests that candidates prefer to complete their language requirements while planning to move abroad for migration, work, or higher studies.
The IELTS is of two types: Academic and General Training. While the Academic IELTS is for educational purposes, General IELTS applies to those seeking work or migration.
The IELTS exam contains four modules: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The IELTS Writing test is a one-hour test assessing your English language writing skills.
IELTS Writing Section: At a Glance
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Number of Tasks | 2 |
| Test Mode | Online and Offline |
| Test Types | Academic and General |
The IELTS General Training Writing test consists of two tasks.
The General Writing tasks are:
- Task 1: Writing a short letter for a specific purpose
- Task 2: Writing an essay
Many students find the IELTS General Writing Task 1 challenging due to the time constraint and the nature of the task. However, this can be much easier for you through proper strategising and practice of the task.
IELTS General Writing Task 1: Pattern
The IELTS General Writing Task 1 asks you to draft a letter. The letter can be either requesting information or explaining information.
Task 1 can ask for a variety kind of letters. It can be a formal, semi-formal or informal letter. Formal ones are generally drafted for businesses or professionals in professional positions. Semi-formal letters can be addressed to a colleague or distant friend.
The letters will be based on general situations you can encounter in your day-to-day lives. For example, write an apology letter for missing your friend’s wedding or invite your colleagues to your house party.
Check out the details of General Writing Task 1:
| Task | Drafting a Letter |
| Minimum Word Limit | 150 words |
| Recommended Time Limit | 20 minutes |
IELTS General Task 1 determines the candidate’s writing skills in drafting a text within the proper letter-writing conventions. It assesses your sentence construction, vocabulary and grammar. The letter should be able to explain the situation comprehensively and suggest solutions if required.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips,
Also Read: Essays & Practice Test Online
IELTS General Writing Task 1: Format
The IELTS General Writing Task 1 analyses your English writing capacities. You do not need to provide the from and to addresses in the letter. You can start writing it directly after the salutation.
For example,
Dear Friend,
I hope you are doing well…..
The important part of your letter is the body or content. This is where you can showcase your english writing skills. You can follow the ODAC format to write a good letter.
The basic IELTS letter-writing format is:
- Opening
- Details
- Action
- Closing
You can follow the format to better structure your IELTS general letter writing.
Check out the essential elements for IELTS letter writing:
- Address the Receiver Appropriately: It is important to start your letter with professional greetings and address the receiver properly. One can use these words to begin their letter: Dear, Sir, or Madam.
- Mention the Intention of the Letter: Start your letter by explaining the intent of the letter or detailing the situation. For example, you can begin with statements such as ‘I am writing to state my discomfort’ or ‘ I am writing to complain about’.
- Go In-depth and Talk About the Problem: This section will flesh out the issue and detail the situation appropriately. Make sure your explanation is comprehensive. You can start with ‘I was expecting to receive; I regret to tell you that your service was below the mark’.
- Action to be Taken: This is an important section as it will determine how you have explained and resolved the situation. Phrases such as ‘I insist on getting a refund for’ and ‘I hope that this matter will be resolved from your end’ can be used for a more significant impact.
- Ending the Letter with Name and Signature: End your letter with a short conclusion note. You can end with ‘ I look forward to hearing from your end,’ ‘Yours sincerely.’ After that, give your name and signature. Make sure not to use your real name and signature.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Practice Online Tests
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Types of Letters in IELTS General Writing Task 1
There are a variety of topics that the candidates can be asked to write letters on. We have collated a list of different types of letters used in IELTS General Writing Task 1.
The commonly asked types of letters are mentioned below.
Letter of Complaint
These are generally formal letters written to place a complaint about unsatisfactory services or faulty products to the concerned authority. It can also be based on a problematic situation. Here, the candidate is expected to explain the situation and suggest what action can be taken by the authority.
Letter for Application
These are generally written to write about your interest in applying for an event or opportunity. The letter intends to express your interest in something and generally accompanies asking for more details about the event.
Letter of Invitation
Invitations are among the most common topics in IELTS General Writing Task 1. These will often ask you to invite your friends or colleagues to an event you are interested in. It can be semi-formal or informal, depending on the letter’s receiver.
Letters of Apology
These letters are generally written to express regret over something and apologise for any mistake the sender must have made. It will ideally contain a short explanation of the event, an apology for the same, and a resolution not to repeat that error.
Also Read: IELTS One Skill Retake 2023, Book IELTS Slot In 2023
Tips for IELTS General Writing Task 1
Nailing the General Training Task 1 is only possible when candidates know the exam pattern, the type of questions that appear and the scoring pattern. However, that is not all. Candidates must equally follow the tips diligently.
Incorporating the pointers below will help you successfully clear your General Writing Task 1.
Check out the tips below:
- Practice Regularly: Continuous practice is the best way to ace your English writing capabilities. You can do this by cultivating regular reading and writing practice. Read magazines, books or newspapers. In addition, you can practice worksheets, sample papers, and mock tests for the IELTS Writing section.
- Use Dictionaries: You may encounter several new terms while reading a new text. Do not ignore them. Try to find their meaning using a dictionary. This will help you learn new words and synonyms and improve your vocabulary.
- Do not Use Contractions in Formal Letters: Avoid using contractions in your formal letters. For example, do not use ‘can’t’; instead, state it completely as ‘cannot’.
- Check your Grammar: Your grammar is an important element that determines the quality of your language. Do not make any grammatical mistakes in your letter. Do not intermix tenses, and use the appropriate terms.
- Do not Make Spelling Mistakes: Spelling mistakes will be penalised for your IELTS Writing tasks. So, make sure you do not make any mistakes in your text. Proofread your letter once to confirm this.
- Use a Variety of Sentence Structures: Display your abilities in appropriately framing sentences and structuring your arguments. Use both simple and compound sentences. Use linking words, idioms and phrases.
- Change the Tone of the Letter Appropriately: Make sure you use the correct tone while drafting your letter. If you are writing a formal letter, keep it professional. Maintain a friendly tone for an informal letter written to a friend.
- Change your Vocabulary Based on the Type of Letter: In addition to the tone and form, your vocabulary must be altered while drafting a letter. Use more formal and professional terminologies for a formal letter, while you can use simple terms in your informal letter.
Check out the examples below to understand how the vocabulary varies across formal and informal letter types.
Vocabulary Difference:
| Formal | Informal |
| Respond | Write back or reply |
| Purchase | Buy |
| At your earliest convenience | When you are free |
| Cannot | Can’t |
| Yours sincerely | Best wishes |
| As you described above | As I mentioned before |
| Futhermore | And/ also |
- Proper Time Management: Although the total duration of your IELTS Writing test is 60 minutes, try to finish your Task 1 in 20 minutes. This will help you get enough time for your essay question. Do not exceed your word limit. Writing over the limit can take your time. Before starting to write, plan your letter. Jot down the important points first, then start writing each. In the end, spare 3-4 minutes to proofread your document.
Also Read: IELTS Writing Task: Best Tips To Begin With
Conclusion
Before appearing for your IELTS Writing test, make sure you are familiar with the test details. Understand the structure and features of each task separately.
To ace your IELTS General Writing Task 1, practice letter writing. Attempt more sample papers, mock tests and IELTS books. You can utilise the tips above to optimise your letter writing. Plan your answer considering the given time.
Are you looking for a 7+ IELTS band score? Then, make sure you invest your time and effort in the right place. Leap’s IELTS Trainers can provide quality classes, practice sessions, sample papers and mock tests. Start your IELTS preparation now.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. Can I get a band 8 in the IELTS Writing Test?
A. Yes, scoring a 8 band score for your IELTS Writing test is possible. It requires proper practice and optimum performance to achieve a good IELTS band score. Understand the test pattern and scoring criteria. Attempt as many sample questions as possible. Get proper IELTS training from expert trainers.
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Q. Can I take my IELTS Writing test online?
A. Yes, it is possible to take your IELTS Writing test online. Register for an online test mode if you plan to take an online test. You can register for your IELTS test from the official IDP India website. You can choose the nearest IELTS test centre to take your test.
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Q. Is there any passing score for IELTS?
A. No, the IELTS exam has nothing as a passing score. Your band score range is between 1 and 9. You have a separate band score for each module. Your final band score is the combined score from each of these modules. Although there is no minimum score, most foreign universities ask for a minimum score between 6 and 6.5.
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Q. Is there a negative marking for the IELTS writing section?
A. No, the IELTS Writing test has no negative marking system. However, you should meet the minimum word limit mentioned by each task. The minimum word count for Task 1 is 150 words, and the minimum word limit for IELTS Writing Task 2 is 250 words.
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Q. Can I score higher if I write beyond the given word limit for my IELTS writing tasks?
A. Writing longer text does not guarantee better scores. The examiners use a variety of criteria such as task achievement, cohesion and coherence of the writing sample, usage, and knowledge of grammatical structures and syntax to determine your grade.
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Q. What do I need to bring on the IELTS test day?
A. On the day of your IELTS test, do not forget to bring your passport and proof of identification. Make sure your passport is valid. No food items or electronic devices are allowed inside the test centre. You can carry your water bottle, but make sure the container is transparent.
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Q. What criteria are important to score well in your IELTS Writing Tasks?
A. Your examiner determines your score based on a variety of factors. Important IELTS marking criteria for the writing section are:
– Task Respons
– Cohesion and coherence
– Lexical Resources Vocabulary
– Accuracy
– Grammar -
Q. How do I draft a letter for my IELTS writing task?
A. You can achieve a band score above 7 for your IELTS writing test through proper preparation and performance. Some good practices are:
1. Plan your answer correctly. Determine how to start your answer, how many points to include and the conclusion.
2. Gather relevant points. Make a rough outline of all the major points you plan to include in your answer.
3. Conclude your letter with a positive note.Â
4. Proofread your document for spelling and grammar errors. -
Q. What are the important elements to include in my letter for General Writing Task 1?
A. You can include the following parts in your General Writing Task 1:
– Addressing the person being written toÂ
– The purpose behind writing itÂ
– Key pointersÂ
– Closing sentence of the letterÂ
– Ending with name and signature -
Q. Can I exceed the word limit in my IELTS Writing Task 1?
A. Yes, you can exceed the word limit for your IELTS Writing tasks. But do not spend too much time on a single answer, explaining irrelevant points. Finish your answers within the given time. Although there is no maximum word limit, it is necessary to meet the minimum word limit.
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Q. Can I skip questions in my IELTS Writing test?
A. Yes, you can skip questions in your IELTS Writing test. However, it is recommended that both questions be attempted. Since the IELTS Writing test contains only two tasks, leaving a task unattended can affect your score drastically. So, plan your time accordingly and try to attempt both questions.
