IELTS General Writing Task 1 Tips and Samples

IELTS General Writing

About the IELTS General Writing test

The writing test is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates.

General Writing

2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes
  1. In Task 1, candidates are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
  2. In Task 2, candidates are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay

IELTS General Training Writing test

The topics used in the IELTS General Training Writing test are of general interest. In Task 1 you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. You can write the letter in a personal, semi-formal or formal style. In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal style.

1 General Writing Sample Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You play a team sport with some friends. Last week a member of the team had an accident and wasn’t able to play with you at the weekend. You decide to write to him in hospital, telling him about the match. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter,
  • tell him which team won
  • describe the conditions on the day
  • say how you felt about the match
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.

IELTS Tip

You do not have time to write a detailed plan for your letter so think about drafting (writing in rough) the opening line of each of the sections: 1) Opening 2) Main paragraphs 3) Closing with notes on one or two main points. This will give your writing a sense of direction.

 Sample Band 9 answer

Dear Frank, I was so sorry to hear about your accident! I hope you’re feeling a lot better today and that it’s not too boring in hospital. (Expresses sympathy and asks about the reader’s health.) The match on Saturday was disappointing. The score was 2 all, probably because you weren’t there to score that extra goal! The awful thing was that we were winning until 10 minutes before the end, when suddenly they scored another goal. I was so shocked when I saw the ball hit the back of the net. (Tells him the score and briefly describes how you felt about the match.) I think the weather was to blame. It was a really wet day and the pitch was very muddy. By the end of the game you could hardly see the grass and we were sliding around in the mud. Everyone was exhausted. (Mentions the weather and conditions.) Let us know when you’re going home and we’ll arrange for someone to bring you to watch the next game. The rest of the team send their regards and we all wish you a speedy recovery. (Finishes with good wishes.) Best wishes, Charlie (161 words)

2 General Writing Sample Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are studying a short course in another country. Your accommodation was arranged by the course provider. There is a major problem with the accommodation. Write a letter to the course provider. In your letter,
  • say what the problem is
  • describe the accommodation you thought you were getting
  • ask the provider to solve the problem
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.

IELTS Tip

A common problem in GT Task 1 is that candidates use a strange mix of formal and informal language. In formal letters, they may include inappropriate informalities; in informal letters they may suddenly be too formal, usually including a memorised chunk. This mix confuses the reader and affects the candidate’s score in Task Fulfilment.

 Model answer

Dear Mr Watterson, My name is Andrew Fish, and I am taking an eight-week intensive English course at Oxford House College. My company is paying for my tuition, and I am using my summer vacation to study. It is expected I will pass an English Proficiency Test as a result, and be transferred abroad. Therefore, it is rather important to me that I am able to study in the best environment. I am staying in Phoenix Hostel on campus. While my room is pleasant and the facilities are very good, the hostel is extremely noisy. When I organised my accommodation, I was assured I would be staying only with post-graduate or intensive-course students. However, most of the people in this hostel are doing summer-school courses due to academic failure, and they are all under 22. It seems to me they are enjoying one long party: certainly no one observes light out or turns down music despite being asked to. I wonder if I may be moved to a hostel which is more conducive to serious study, or I may use the remainder of my accommodation fee to go towards payment for a hotel. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Andrew Fish (204 words)

3 General Writing Sample Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You have just spent a weekend at a friend’s house. When you returned home, you discovered you have left a coat containing some belongings in his house. Write a letter to your friend telling him that you left the coat. Tell him what the coat looks like, where you think you left it and what was inside it. Make some suggestions about how to get it back. You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your own address. Begin your letter as follows: Dear John,

Model answer

Dear John, I‛m back at home now after that great weekend at your house. Thanks very much for putting me up. I hope you‛ll be able to come and stay with me some time soon as well. Unfortunately I left my new coat at your house. Do you remember the dark brown one that I wore when we went walking on Saturday afternoon? It is a New Look coat that goes down to mid-thigh level. It has a black collar, dark brown buttons and large pockets on both sides. I think I left it on the hooks behind your front door. Do you remember we hung up our coats there when we got back from our walk? It‛s quite important for me as I have my wallet in the inside breast pocket and my diary in the right outside pocket. I have a friend who is driving through your town on Thursday and he will be quite near your office. Could he please collect it from there? I have given him your office phone number and he will call you on Thursday morning. Give me a call if this is not possible. Anyway, thanks again for a great weekend and I hope to see you soon. Regards, Phillip (208 words)]]>

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