IELTS General Training Letter Samples (Formal, Semi-formal, Informal)
Quick answer: IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter of at least 150 words, written in about 20 minutes. Choose the tone from the person you are writing to: formal for strangers, semi-formal for people you know a little, informal for friends. Cover all three bullet points, one paragraph each. Below are three original sample letters, one in each style.
Last updated: 29 October 2026
What is the General Training Writing Task 1 letter?
In General Training Writing Task 1 you write a letter in response to an everyday situation. The task gives you three bullet points, and you must cover all of them. You need at least 150 words, and you should spend about 20 minutes on it.
The task tells you who you are writing to. That tells you the tone: formal, semi-formal or informal. Choosing the right tone, and keeping it all the way through, is part of answering the task well.
How do you choose formal, semi-formal or informal?
| Type | Who you write to | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Someone you do not know: a company, a manager you have never met, a council | Dear Sir or Madam, | Yours faithfully, |
| Semi-formal | Someone you know but not closely: your manager, a landlord, a neighbour, a teacher | Dear Ms Rao, / Dear Mr Singh, | Kind regards, / Yours sincerely, |
| Informal | A friend or family member | Hi Sam, / Dear Anita, | Love, / Best wishes, / See you soon, |
Informal letters can use contractions such as "I'm" and "can't" and friendly phrases. Formal letters avoid contractions and slang. Semi-formal letters sit in between: polite and clear, but not cold.
What structure should an IELTS letter follow?
- Greeting: matched to the tone.
- Opening sentence: state why you are writing.
- Three body paragraphs: one for each bullet point, in order.
- Closing sentence: for example, asking for a reply.
- Sign-off and name: first name only for informal letters, full name for formal ones.
You do not need to write any addresses or a date. Spend your time on the content.
Formal letter sample: a complaint
Task: You recently bought a washing machine from an online store, but it arrived damaged. Write a letter to the store's customer service manager. In your letter:
- give details of what you bought and when
- describe the problem
- say what you would like the company to do
Model letter (formal)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to complain about a washing machine I ordered from your website on 3 October. The model was the CleanPro 7, and I paid in full at the time of ordering. Unfortunately, the item that arrived on 10 October was not in an acceptable condition.
When the delivery team unpacked the machine, I noticed that the front door was cracked and the control panel was badly scratched. I pointed this out immediately, but the driver said he was not allowed to take it back. I have also tried calling your customer service number three times, but each time I waited over twenty minutes without speaking to anyone.
I would therefore like you to collect the damaged machine and deliver a replacement within the next week. If this is not possible, I expect a full refund, including the delivery charge. I have attached photographs of the damage and a copy of my order confirmation.
I look forward to your prompt reply.
Yours faithfully,
Anil Mehta
Word count: 170 words
Why it works: each paragraph covers one bullet point. The details (model, dates, what the driver said) make the complaint believable. The request is specific, with a clear alternative.
Semi-formal letter sample: a request to your manager
Task: You want to attend a two-week evening course related to your job. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
- describe the course
- explain how it will help you in your work
- suggest how your work could be covered
Model letter (semi-formal)
Dear Ms Rao,
I am writing to ask whether I could leave work an hour early on weekdays for two weeks next month, so that I can attend an evening course in data analysis at the City Training Centre. The course runs from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday, starting on 9 November.
As you know, our team has started preparing monthly sales reports, and I often find it slow to organise the figures in spreadsheets. The course covers exactly this kind of work, including how to build clear charts and spot patterns quickly. I am confident it would help me produce reports faster and with fewer errors, which would benefit the whole team.
To make sure my work does not suffer, I could start at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. during those two weeks. Rohan has also kindly offered to answer my client calls after 5 p.m. if anything urgent comes up.
Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Kind regards,
Deepa
Word count: 170 words
Why it works: the tone is polite but direct. Phrases such as "As you know" suit someone the writer works with. The third paragraph solves the manager's likely concern before it is raised.
Informal letter sample: helping a friend
Task: A friend is moving to your city for a new job. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- offer to help them find somewhere to live
- recommend an area to live in and say why
- invite them to stay with you
Model letter (informal)
Hi Sam,
Great news about your new job! I can't believe you'll be living in the same city as me from next month.
If you like, I can help you find a flat. My cousin works for a letting agency, and she's always hearing about places before they're advertised online. Just send me your budget and how many rooms you need, and I'll pass the details on to her.
As for where to live, I'd definitely recommend Greenfield. It's only fifteen minutes from your office by metro, and it has a big park, a weekly food market and loads of cheap places to eat. It's a lot quieter than the city centre at night, too, which I think you'd appreciate.
Also, why don't you stay with me for your first week? The spare room is free, and it would give you time to look at flats without rushing. We could even cook that curry you made when I visited you last year!
Let me know your plans.
Love,
Priya
Word count: 169 words
Why it works: the language is natural and warm: contractions, "loads of", and a shared memory at the end. Even so, each bullet point gets its own clear paragraph.
Common letter mistakes to avoid
- Missing a bullet point. If you skip one, your Task Achievement score is likely to suffer.
- Mixing tones. "Hi Sir" or "Yours faithfully" to a friend sounds wrong.
- Writing too little. Under 150 words is likely to lose marks. See our word count guide.
- Memorised openings. Long learned phrases that do not fit the situation do not impress examiners.
Practise now: Write a timed letter and essay together: try GT Writing Test 1, GT Writing Test 2, Test 3 or Test 4.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should an IELTS letter be?
You must write at least 150 words for General Training Writing Task 1. Many strong letters are around 160 to 200 words.
How do I know if a letter should be formal or informal?
Look at who you are writing to. A company or stranger needs a formal letter, someone you know but not closely needs a semi-formal one, and a friend needs an informal one.
Should I write 'Yours faithfully' or 'Yours sincerely'?
Use 'Yours faithfully' after 'Dear Sir or Madam'. When you use the person's name, such as 'Dear Ms Rao', 'Yours sincerely' or 'Kind regards' fits better.
Do I need to write addresses in an IELTS letter?
No. You do not need to include addresses or a date. Start with the greeting.
Can I use contractions in an IELTS letter?
Yes in informal letters, for example 'I'm' or 'can't'. Avoid them in formal letters.
What happens if I miss one of the bullet points?
Missing a bullet point means you have not fully answered the task, which is likely to lower your Task Achievement score.