You're sitting in the exam, and the prompt says: "You recently bought a microwave that stopped working. Write a letter to the store manager...".
Your mind goes blank. You haven't written a formal letter in years.
I've seen this panic hundreds of times when students walk into the IELTS General Training exam. Writing Task 1 isn't hard because the language is difficult. It's hard because most people don't know what the examiners actually want.
Here's the truth: letter writing in the IELTS is formulaic. Once you understand the three-letter system — Tone, Structure, Content — the task becomes predictable. And predictable is easy to prepare for.
Understanding What the Examiner Wants
The IELTS General Training letter task gives you a situation and three bullet points you must cover. You get 20 minutes to write at least 150 words.
What examiners check first:
- Task achievement — Did you cover all three bullet points?
- Tone — Is the tone appropriate for the recipient?
- Cohesion — Does the letter flow naturally?
- Vocabulary & grammar — Nothing fancy. Just correct English.
Most test-takers fail on tone. They write a formal complaint using casual language, or they write a letter to a friend as if they're addressing the Queen.
The Three Tones and When to Use Them
Tone depends entirely on who you're writing to.
Manager, company, person you don't know
Neighbour, landlord, colleague
Friend, family, close acquaintance
Match your language to the relationship.
Mix these up and you lose points. I've seen a student write "I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience" to their best friend. The examiners notice.
The Secret Structure That Works Every Time
Every high-scoring IELTS letter follows the same skeleton.
Opening line — State the reason for writing. Be direct.
"I am writing to complain about the washing machine I purchased last week."
Middle section — Cover the three bullet points in order. One paragraph per point keeps things clean.
Closing line — Signal what you want or expect next.
"I would appreciate it if you could replace the item or provide a full refund."
Sign off — Match your salutation.
- Formal: Dear Sir/Madam → Yours faithfully
- Semi-formal: Dear Mr. Jones → Yours sincerely
- Informal: Dear Tom → Best wishes
Simple. Predictable. Band 7 ready.
Real Example: Complaint Letter
Let me show you how this works with a real prompt.
Prompt: You recently stayed in a hotel and the room was unsatisfactory. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter:
- Explain why you chose the hotel
- Describe the problems in your room
- Say what you would like the manager to do
My version (170 words):
Dear Mr. Henderson,
I am writing to express my disappointment regarding my stay at the Grand Plaza Hotel last weekend.
I chose your hotel because of the excellent reviews online, particularly the cleanliness and customer service. I was celebrating my anniversary and wanted a comfortable experience.
However, the room I was given had several problems. The air conditioning was not working, so the temperature was around 30°C. The bathroom had mould on the ceiling, and the bed sheets were stained. When I called reception, no one came to help.
As a paying guest, I expected much better. I would like a full refund for the two nights, or at minimum, a 50% discount on my next booking.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Yours sincerely, Jane Miller
Notice: three bullet points, three paragraphs, clear tone. No wasted words.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Score
I've marked enough practice letters to know exactly where students slip.
Writing too little. 150 words is a minimum, not a target. Aim for 160-180 words. Below 150 is an automatic penalty.
Copying the prompt. Don't repeat the question. Paraphrase it. Instead of "I am writing about the problem with the microwave", say "I recently purchased a microwave from your store, and it has stopped working."
Forgetting the purpose. Every letter needs a clear outcome. What do you want? A refund? Advice? Information? State it plainly.
Overcomplicating vocabulary. You don't need "utilise" when "use" works. You don't need "subsequently" when "then" is fine. Clear beats fancy every single time.
One Last Checklist Before Your Exam
When you finish your letter, run through this in one minute:
- Did I cover all three bullet points?
- Is the tone consistent from start to finish?
- Did I write at least 150 words?
- Is my purpose clear in the opening and closing?
- Did I use correct salutation and sign-off?
That's it. Twenty minutes of focused writing gets you a solid score.
Ready to test what you've learned? Check your current English level for free with English Measure — a complete test covering Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Know where you stand before exam day.
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