IELTS General Training Preparation Course: Writing Task 1 letters

1. Question 1 of 16

   What is the minimum length for General Training Writing Task 1?

   • A150 words
   • B100 words
   • C250 words
   • D200 words
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   Answer: A. 150 words

   Task 1 asks for at least 150 words. The 250-word minimum is for Task 2.

2. Question 2 of 16

   About how long should you spend on Writing Task 1?

   • A20 minutes
   • B40 minutes
   • C10 minutes
   • D60 minutes
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   Answer: A. 20 minutes

   The Writing test lasts 60 minutes. The official advice is to spend no more than 20 minutes on Task 1 and no more than 40 minutes on Task 2.

3. Question 3 of 16

   How many bullet points of information does a Task 1 letter question usually give you?

   • AThree
   • BFour
   • CFive
   • DTwo
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   Answer: A. Three

   The task describes a situation and lists three bullet points to include in your letter.

4. Question 4 of 16

   May you use bullet points in your Task 1 letter?

   • AYes, because they make a letter clearer
   • BOnly if you take the Writing test on paper
   • CYes, but only for the three main points
   • DNo, write it as connected text
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   Answer: D. No, write it as connected text

   Answers must be connected text in full sentences. Notes and bullet points are not allowed, even though the question uses bullet points.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Do you need to write addresses at the top of your Task 1 letter?

   • AOnly the address of the person you write to
   • BOnly your own address
   • CYes, both addresses are required
   • DNo, addresses are not needed
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   Answer: D. No, addresses are not needed

   The official guidance says you do not need to include addresses at the top of the letter. Start with the greeting.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Which assessment criterion is used for Task 1 in place of "Task response"?

   • ATask achievement
   • BPronunciation
   • CReading accuracy
   • DFluency and coherence
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   Answer: A. Task achievement

   Task 1 is marked for Task achievement (how well the letter achieves its purpose), Coherence and cohesion, Lexical resource, and Grammatical range and accuracy.

7. Question 7 of 16

   You are writing to a friend you have known for years. Which greeting is best?

   • ATo whom it may concern,
   • BDear Mr Jones,
   • CDear Sir or Madam,
   • DHi Sam,
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   Answer: D. Hi Sam,

   A letter to a close friend is personal, so use a friendly greeting with the first name. The other greetings are for formal letters.

8. Question 8 of 16

   You start a formal letter with "Dear Sir or Madam,". Which ending is the usual British choice?

   • ACheers,
   • BYours faithfully,
   • CYours sincerely,
   • DLots of love,
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   Answer: B. Yours faithfully,

   In British English, "Dear Sir or Madam" (name not known) usually goes with "Yours faithfully". "Yours sincerely" is used when you write the person's name.

9. Question 9 of 16

   You start a letter with "Dear Ms Patel,". Which ending is the usual British choice?

   • ASee you soon!
   • BBest wishes, mate
   • CYours sincerely,
   • DYours faithfully,
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   Answer: C. Yours sincerely,

   When you greet someone by name in a formal or semi-formal letter, the usual British ending is "Yours sincerely".

10. Question 10 of 16

    You are writing a semi-formal letter to a neighbour you know a little, about noise from their party. Which opening sentence is most suitable?

    • AI hope you enjoyed your holiday in Spain last month.
    • BI'm writing about the noise from your flat last Saturday night.
    • CHey mate, your party was way too loud!!!
    • DI hereby formally lodge a complaint regarding the aforementioned disturbance.
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    Answer: B. I'm writing about the noise from your flat last Saturday night.

    A semi-formal letter is polite but not stiff, and the first sentence should state the purpose. The other options are too informal, too formal, or off the purpose.

11. Question 11 of 16

    The task says: "Write to the manager of a gym where you lost a bag." Which first sentence states the purpose best?

    • ABags are very important to everyone in modern life, especially at the gym.
    • BI am writing to ask if a bag I left at your gym on Tuesday has been handed in.
    • CI have been a member of your gym for three years, and I really enjoy going there.
    • DPlease find below all the information you will need about me and my bag.
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    Answer: B. I am writing to ask if a bag I left at your gym on Tuesday has been handed in.

    A good letter states its purpose in the first sentence. The correct option says what the writer wants and when the bag was lost.

12. Question 12 of 16

    A letter describes a lost bag and says when it was lost, but never covers the third bullet point. What is the most likely result?

    • AA lower score for Task achievement
    • BThe whole Writing test is cancelled
    • CA lower score for Pronunciation
    • DNo effect, because the letter is over 150 words
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    Answer: A. A lower score for Task achievement

    Task achievement measures how well the letter achieves its purpose. Leaving out a required point means the task is not fully completed.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Is there a penalty for writing 190 words in Task 1?

    • AYes, you lose half a band for each extra line
    • BNo, and longer letters always get higher scores
    • CNo, but it may leave less time for Task 2
    • DYes, the examiner stops reading after 150 words
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    Answer: C. No, but it may leave less time for Task 2

    You are not penalised for writing more than 150 words, but Task 2 is worth more, so do not spend its time on Task 1.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Which sentence is the most suitable polite request in a formal letter?

    • AI would be grateful if you could send me a replacement.
    • BI demand that you send me a replacement immediately or else.
    • CSend me a new one now.
    • DCan u send me another one?
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    Answer: A. I would be grateful if you could send me a replacement.

    "I would be grateful if you could…" is polite and formal. The other options are rude, threatening or too informal for a formal letter.

15. Question 15 of 16

    Which plan is the most sensible for a Task 1 letter?

    • APurpose, one paragraph per bullet point, closing line
    • BOne long paragraph with all the ideas mixed together
    • CA short list of notes under each bullet point
    • DThe three bullet points copied as headings, then notes
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    Answer: A. Purpose, one paragraph per bullet point, closing line

    A clear letter states its purpose, gives each bullet point its own paragraph and ends politely. Notes and headings are not connected text.

16. Question 16 of 16

    You are writing to your landlord about faulty heating. Which sentence explains the problem most clearly?

    • AThere is a problem with something in the flat, and I would like it to be looked at.
    • BI am not happy, as I am sure you will understand from this letter.
    • CThe heating is bad and I am not happy about it at all.
    • DThe heating has not worked since Monday, and the flat is very cold at night.
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    Answer: D. The heating has not worked since Monday, and the flat is very cold at night.

    A clear complaint says what is wrong, since when, and why it matters. The other options are too vague to act on.

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