Welcome to the Active IELTS page for General Training Task 1
In General Training Writing Task 1 you are asked to write a letter because of a problem you have or a situation you are in.
You may need to ask for information, give information, complain, ask for help, talk about your needs, give an opinion, etc.
A question will look like this:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
When you were on holiday last week your passport and bag were stolen. Now you need to write to the
insurance company.
Write a letter to your insurance company. In your letter
You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear……..,
Practising
Make sure you know how to write a letter using the right kind of language and organisation. Letters in English, like in other
languages, have specific language and organisation. This depends on who you are writing to and why.
Practise writing answers to the question first without thinking about the time and then with a time limit of 20 minutes. When
you are practising without timing your answer make sure you don't write more than 150 - 160 words. This is a waste of time
and won't help you in the exam.
In the exam
Make sure you know if the letter needs to be formal or informal. Look at the question to find out. Who is it to? Why are you
writing?
There are normally three or four things you must include in your letter. Highlight or underline each in the question and don't
forget them! For each point you will need to develop your ideas a bit - 2 or 3 sentences for each is good. Make sure the
information you include seems real.
If you get to 20 minutes and haven't finished, stop! Complete the sentence you are writing and move on to task 2. This task
is much more important, and it is much more serious if you don't finish it.
Ready to practise? Here are some example questions
In General Training Writing Task 1 you are asked to write a letter because of a problem you have or a situation you are in.
You may need to ask for information, give information, complain, ask for help, talk about your needs, give an opinion, etc.
A question will look like this:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
When you were on holiday last week your passport and bag were stolen. Now you need to write to the
insurance company.
Write a letter to your insurance company. In your letter
- • explain what happened
• describe the things that were stolen
• ask them to explain what you need to do next
You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear……..,
Practising
Make sure you know how to write a letter using the right kind of language and organisation. Letters in English, like in other
languages, have specific language and organisation. This depends on who you are writing to and why.
Practise writing answers to the question first without thinking about the time and then with a time limit of 20 minutes. When
you are practising without timing your answer make sure you don't write more than 150 - 160 words. This is a waste of time
and won't help you in the exam.
In the exam
Make sure you know if the letter needs to be formal or informal. Look at the question to find out. Who is it to? Why are you
writing?
There are normally three or four things you must include in your letter. Highlight or underline each in the question and don't
forget them! For each point you will need to develop your ideas a bit - 2 or 3 sentences for each is good. Make sure the
information you include seems real.
If you get to 20 minutes and haven't finished, stop! Complete the sentence you are writing and move on to task 2. This task
is much more important, and it is much more serious if you don't finish it.
Ready to practise? Here are some example questions
Other useful pages
How is the IELTS writing test marked?
Links and tips to help you
What does my score mean?
What if I am not happy with my score?
On the day of the exam
How is the IELTS writing test marked?
Links and tips to help you
What does my score mean?
What if I am not happy with my score?
On the day of the exam
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