General Training Task 1: writing the letter.
General Training Writing Task 1 gives you a situation and asks for a letter of at least 150 words. There is no chart. The one decision that shapes everything is register, whether the letter is formal, semi-formal or informal, because that drives the greeting, the tone, the vocabulary and the sign-off.
Why this matters. GT Task 1 is a letter, not a chart, so the Academic language of trends does not apply here. The marks come from three things: choosing the right register and holding it consistently, covering all three bullet points, and using natural functional language, requesting, complaining, apologising, thanking, that fits the tone. Get the register right and the rest tends to follow.
The three registers, and how to choose.
You do not need a glossary. You need a handful of accurate collocations in each of these areas, ready to deploy.
Formal
“Dear Sir or Madam,” → “Yours faithfully,”
To someone you do not know, by role: a company, a manager, the council. No contractions, no slang.
I am writing to complain about a faulty appliance I purchased from your store.
Semi-formal
“Dear Mr Osei,” → “Yours sincerely,”
To someone you know by name but not closely: a landlord, a colleague, a neighbour. Polite, a little warmer.
I am writing to let you know that I will be away for part of next week.
Informal
“Dear Sam,” / “Hi Sam,” → “Best wishes,” / “Take care,”
To a friend or family member. Contractions and everyday language are completely fine here.
I’m writing to tell you all about the new flat I’ve just moved into.
Reading the prompt
a friend = informal · the manager = formal · a colleague you know = semi-formal
The prompt always names the recipient, and that single detail fixes the register. Decide it before you write a word.
“Write a letter to the manager of the company” → formal.
Precision beats rarity
The single biggest GT Task 1 error is register drift, a formal letter that slips into “Thanks a lot!”, or an informal note that turns oddly stiff. Pick the register from the recipient, then hold it from the greeting to the sign-off. One rule to memorise: Yours faithfully when you opened “Dear Sir or Madam” (you do not know the name), Yours sincerely when you named them (“Dear Mr Osei”).
The same point, from Band 6 to Band 8.
At Band 5
“Hi, I want to complain my washing machine it is broken. Please fix it fast. Thanks, bye.” Wrong register for a company (Hi, Thanks, bye), contractions and a run-on, and it does not clearly cover each bullet.
At Band 6
“Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to complain about a washing machine. It stopped working after one week. I want a refund. Please reply soon. Yours faithfully,” Correct register and structure, but flat and formulaic, in short listy sentences.
At Band 7
“Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a washing machine I purchased last month, which developed a fault within a week. I would be grateful if you could arrange either a repair or a full refund. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully,” Consistent register, natural functional language, all three bullets covered.
At Band 8+
“Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a washing machine I purchased from your store last month, which ceased to function after barely a week. As the appliance was evidently faulty, I would be grateful if you could arrange a full refund at your earliest convenience; failing that, I would expect a replacement of the same model. I look forward to your prompt response. Yours faithfully,” Fully controlled tone, varied exponents, a clear and appropriately firm stance.
The upgrade most worth making.
Each swap takes a vague, everyday phrase and replaces it with the collocation an examiner expects on this topic. Use them where they fit naturally, not all at once.
| Instead of… | Use… | For example |
|---|---|---|
| I’m writing about… | I am writing with regard to… | I am writing with regard to a recent order. |
| because I want… | as I would like to… | I am writing as I would like to request a refund. |
| Can you…? | I would be grateful if you could… | I would be grateful if you could arrange a replacement. |
| I’m not happy that… | I wish to express my dissatisfaction with… | I wish to express my dissatisfaction with the service. |
| Sorry about… | I would like to apologise for… | I would like to apologise for any inconvenience. |
| Thanks | Thank you for your assistance | Thank you for your assistance in this matter. |
| Write back soon | I look forward to hearing from you | I look forward to hearing from you. |
| Bye / Cheers | Yours faithfully / sincerely | Faithfully if the name is unknown; sincerely if known. |
Two cautions. You must cover all three bullet points, they are the task and not suggestions, and missing one caps Task Achievement. And write at least 150 words, an underlength letter is penalised, though you should not pad. For the essay half of the paper (Task 2 is shared with Academic), see the essay-question bank →
Ten to drill.
Choose the more precise, topic-appropriate option for each gap. Press Check answers for your score and the reason behind each one. Nothing is sent anywhere.
You can collect topic words. Using the right one, accurately, under timed pressure is the work.
Memorised “big” words used wrongly cost marks; precise collocations used naturally earn them, and the difference is hard to judge in your own writing.
In a lesson I mark your topic vocabulary the way an examiner does, where a collocation is exactly right, where it is forced, and where a plain word would have been stronger. Lessons are £20 for fifty minutes, one to one, in proper British English; the first step is a free 25-minute introduction. This page is drawn from the vocabulary work in the forthcoming Ultimate Guide to IELTS Speaking.