You can take the IELTS General Training test at a test centre. Choose this if you wish to migrate to an English-speaking country, (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) or if you wish to train or study at below degree level. In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both the Academic and the General Training tests, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.
The IELTS Writing test has two modules — Academic and General Training. Choose the module that matches your goals. Below is a clear breakdown of what each requires.
For university study or professional registration. This module tests your ability to use formal academic language, describe data, and construct logical arguments.
Describe a graph, table, chart, or diagram objectively — identify trends, highlight key details, and make comparisons. No personal opinions; focus on clarity and structure.
Write an essay in response to a statement, argument, or problem. Present a clear position and support it with reasons and relevant examples.
For work, training, or non-degree study. This module assesses practical written communication in social and workplace contexts.
Write a letter based on a given situation and bullet points. Tone can be personal, semi-formal, or formal — match it to the context and cover all points.
Write an essay on a common topic. Topics are more relatable than Academic Task 2 — you can use personal examples while remaining clear and structured.
In Task 1 of the General Training Writing test, you’re tasked with writing a letter based on a given scenario and three bullet points. The crucial part? Tailoring your tone and style to your audience. This means understanding the difference between formal and informal letters and recognizing the various situations that call for each. Let’s delve into the exciting world of letter types!
Knowing whether to write formally or informally is just the first step. Within each category, there are different types of letters you might need to craft.
Used for official or professional communication with people you don’t have a personal relationship with or those in positions of authority.
Used for communication with people you know well, like friends, family, or close acquaintances.
Type: Formal Letter of Complaint
Scenario: You recently bought a faulty appliance from an online store. Write a letter to the customer service department to complain about the issue and request a solution.
Example Letter:
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my significant disappointment and dissatisfaction with the vacuum cleaner, specifically of Baltra, that I purchased from your website on November 13 last year. My order number for this transaction is VCBL5632. I have been a customer of Daraznepal.com for 6 years and have generally been satisfied with previous purchases; however, this recent experience has been quite concerning. Upon receiving the appliance, the packaging appeared intact, and the initial inspection suggested the item was in good order. However, after only a few days of normal and careful use, I noticed a significant and disruptive malfunction. Specifically, [explain the fault in detail]. This issue has persisted despite my attempts to troubleshoot it using the provided manual, rendering the appliance largely unusable. To resolve this issue, I would appreciate it if you could arrange for either a full refund or a replacement unit of the same model, as per your company’s warranty policy. Please advise on the return procedure and expected timeframe for resolution. I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter. You can contact me at [Your Phone Number] or via email at [Your Email Address]. Yours faithfully, Suraj Sharma
Type: Informal Letter of Apology
Scenario: You were supposed to meet a friend for coffee but had to cancel at the last minute. Write a letter apologizing to your friend.
Example Letter:
Hey Sabin, Please accept my most sincere and heartfelt apologies for having to cancel our coffee date earlier today. I feel absolutely terrible about it, especially because I was really looking forward to catching up with you and hearing all your news. The reason I had to bail on you so last minute was that [explain briefly — e.g., something urgent popped up at work or I suddenly got sick]. It was completely unexpected, and I was so bummed to have to let you down. How about we reschedule for next week? Would you be free on [suggest a specific day and time]? Or maybe [another option]? Let me know what works best for you — I promise to make it up to you! Again, I’m really sorry about this! Hope you’re doing well, and I can’t wait to see you soon. Best Wishes, Subodh
Understanding the different types of formal and informal letters will equip you to tackle any scenario presented in IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 with confidence. Always consider your audience and the purpose of your letter to choose the appropriate tone and style!
“Drop by our office anytime — we’d love to meet you and discuss your future plans in person.”
