Choose the right tone
| Tone | Typical reader | Opening | Closing |
|---|
| Formal | A company, organisation or official whose name you do not know | Dear Sir or Madam, | Yours faithfully, |
| Semi-formal | Someone you know by name in a professional or neighbourly relationship, such as a manager or landlord | Dear Mr Patel, | Yours sincerely, |
| Informal | A friend or family member | Dear Sam, | Best wishes, / Take care, |
Keep the tone consistent: a formal complaint should not end with "See you soon!", and a letter to a friend should not sound like a legal notice. You do not need to write postal addresses.
A reliable four-part structure
- Purpose: one or two sentences that say why you are writing.
- Bullet point 1: one paragraph with a specific detail.
- Bullet point 2: one paragraph with a specific detail.
- Bullet point 3 and closing: the final bullet, then a sentence that states the action you expect or the next step.
Specific invented details, such as dates, item names and amounts, make a letter clearer and more complete. Vague letters often fail to fully cover a bullet point.
Original sample prompt and model letter
Prompt: You recently bought a coffee machine online, but it stopped working after a week. Write a letter to the company. In your letter: explain what you bought and when; describe the problem; say what you would like the company to do.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to report a fault with a coffee machine I purchased from your website and to request a replacement.
On 2 September, I ordered the BrewPro 300 espresso machine (order number 48213), and it was delivered three days later. For the first week, it worked perfectly.
However, since 12 September the machine has stopped heating water. The power light turns on, but the coffee comes out cold, even after the machine has been left on for twenty minutes. I have followed the cleaning instructions in the manual and tried a different power socket, but the problem continues.
As the machine is still under its one-year warranty, I would be grateful if you could send a replacement as soon as possible or, if none is available, issue a full refund. I am happy to return the faulty machine, provided that you arrange collection. Please contact me by email to confirm the next steps.
Yours faithfully,
Daniel Moreno
This model letter has about 160 words, including the greeting and sign-off. The first paragraph states the purpose, each bullet point has its own paragraph with concrete details, and the request is specific. The person, product and order number are invented for practice.
Self-check before you move to Task 2
- Have I clearly covered all three bullet points?
- Is the purpose clear in the first two sentences?
- Are the opening, the closing and the vocabulary all in the same tone?
- Have I written at least 150 words?
- Is each bullet point developed with a specific detail rather than a single general sentence?
Limit Task 1 to about 20 minutes so Task 2, which carries more weight, gets enough time.
Common mistakes
- Missing or thin bullet points: the most direct way to lose marks for Task Achievement.
- Memorised openings that do not fit: a generic "I hope this letter finds you well" adds words but not purpose.
- Mixed tone: slang in a formal letter, or a stiff formal style with a close friend.
- Writing too much: going far beyond 150 words takes time away from Task 2 and adds chances for errors.
Official sources
Checked against IELTS General Training Writing format, IELTS Writing band descriptors on 3 October 2026. English AIdol is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IELTS partners. The examples on this page are original practice material, not official IELTS questions, and any English AIdol feedback is an unofficial estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words is the IELTS General Training letter?
Write at least 150 words. About 20 minutes is suggested, so most letters can stay reasonably close to that minimum while covering every bullet point fully.
Do I need to write addresses in the IELTS letter?
No. Start with the greeting, such as "Dear Sir or Madam," and write the body of the letter.
How do I know whether the letter should be formal or informal?
Decide from the reader. A company or unknown official needs a formal letter, someone you know professionally needs a semi-formal letter and a friend needs an informal letter.
Is Task 1 or Task 2 more important in IELTS General Training Writing?
Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing band, so keep Task 1 to about 20 minutes.
