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IELTS Writing Task 1: Everything You Need to Know
Ielts writing task 1 in 6 simple steps.
Academic Writing Task 1 Strategy
- Understand how the test is marked. Knowing the marking criteria will allow you to give the examiner exactly what they need.
- Paraphrase the question. It is best to paraphrase the question in the first paragraph. You can do this by using synonyms.
- Write the overview. To write your overview , pick 3 or 4 of the main features and write about them generally without referencing any data.
- Support the main features. In a new paragraph, support the key features with the data in the information given to you.
- Check your work. Check your report for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure that the data you mentioned is also accurate!
Essential Writing Task 1 Skills
- How to Write an Overview Paragraph
- How to Paraphrase
- How to Write a Complex Sentence
- How Many Words?
- Task 1 Charts Checklist
- Task 1 Tips
- The Danger of Synonyms
- 6 Common Mistakes
- Paragraphing and Editing
Writing Task 1 Full Lessons
- Writing Academic Task 1 in 5 Easy Steps
- Charts Lesson
- Maps Lesson
- Multiple Charts/Graphs
- Process Lesson
Academic Task 1 Sample Answers
- Bar Chart Sample Essay (Cars in Asia)
- Process- Cement and Concrete Production
- Pie Chart (Italy and Yemen Populations)
- Process Question
- Bar Chart Question (UK Telephone Usage)
- Line Graph (US Consumption of Energy)
- Bar Chart Sample Answer (International Students)
General Training Writing Task 1
General Training Writing Task 1 in 5 Simple Steps
- Understand how the test is marked. Knowing the marking criteria is the best way of giving the examiner exactly what they need and nothing else.
- Decide whether the letter is formal or informal. This part is easy. If the question asks you to write to a ‘friend’, it should be an informal letter. If the question asks you to write to anyone else, it should be a formal letter. It is that simple!
- Discuss each bullet point from the question. Make sure to take a new paragraph for each bullet point. This will make your letter easy to read and understand.
- Sign off your letter. Don’t overcomplicate this part. Include a sign-off suitable to your letter’s tone and write your name beneath.
- Check your work. Make sure your letter doesn’t contain any grammar or vocabulary mistakes.
- Letter Writing Tips
- How to Write an Informal Letter
- How to Write a Formal Letter
General Training Essential Writing Task 1 Skills
- Task 1 General Training Writing Strategy
- Task 1 General Training Writing Guide
Sample Answers
- Formal and informal sample letters.
Writing Task 1 Essential Information
- People doing the Academic test will write a report on a data set, map, or process. People doing General Training will write a letter.
- You must write 150 words or more.
- You should spend around 20 minutes on this part of the test.
- Task 1 is worth 1/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.
- You will be assessed in four areas: Task Achievement (25%) Coherence and Cohesion (25%) Lexical Resource (25%) Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
- The most important thing is that you can demonstrate that you can clearly communicate in English.
- The key to doing well is to know exactly what the examiners want and give it to them.
- Grammar and Vocabulary Guide
- Top 10 Grammar Mistakes
IELTS Writing Task 1 FAQs
How can i improve my writing.
You will find all the resources you need on our Writing Task 1 page. Click the link below:
Writing Task 1
If you need serious help or personalised feedback, you should check out our online course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name here:
How can I get a Band 7, 8 or 9?
The answer to this question is different for every individual IELTS student, as it depends on a number of factors, including your work ethic, English skills and exam strategy. You'll find a guide to answering this question in this article
If you need serious help with improving your IELTS scores, you should check out our online writing course. There is a waiting list, but you can add your name by clicking the link below:
Can you correct my writing?
Please click the link below and it will give you all the information you need about our writing correction service:
Writing Correction Service
Do you have any sample answers?
Yes, you will find them at the link below:
Task 1 Sample Answers
Will using 'high level' or 'academic' words help me improve my score?
Probably not.
Read my recent article about IELTS vocabulary here:
5 Things You Need to Know about IELTS Vocabulary
How many paragraphs should I write?
Introduction
You can put the overview at the end if you'd like.
Can I use idioms?
No, you should typically avoid using idioms in Writing Task 1.
The only time this is acceptable is if you are taking the General Training test and must write an informal letter.
Should I write a conclusion for Task 1 Academic?
No. A conclusion is a summary of YOUR ideas and your opinion. Task 1 is simply reporting what you see, so there shouldn't be any of your ideas or your opinion.
Instead of a conclusion, you should write an overview.
The reason lots of people get confused about this is that some teachers, books and even one British Council website call the overview a 'conclusion'. It's not a conclusion, it's an overview.
Finally, it does not matter where you put the overview paragraph. We teach our students to put it after the introduction, but it is also fine to have it as your final paragraph.
How many words should I write?
You must write at least 150 words in Writing Task 1 (yes, the examiners will count them!)
I would suggest that you aim to write around 160-170 words for Task 1. Aiming for 20-30 words more than the required amount makes you more likely to reach the word limit without setting an unrealistic goal.
Will I lose marks if I don't write enough words?
Yes. If you don't write the required number of words, you will lose marks in 'Task Achievement' for not answering the question fully. Read more here .
Can I use contractions?
No, should not use contractions when you are writing an academic essay or formal letter. However, it is fine to use contractions in an informal letter.
When should I write formally?
There are a few signposts that indicate when you should write formally or informally. Watch our video lesson to find out what they are:
IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training: Formal or Informal Letters?
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IELTS General Task 1 – Letter Writing
Succeeding at any exam requires positivity, preparation, and practice!
The IELTS General Writing Task 1 measures your ability to communicate about common practical issues. You have 20 minutes to respond to a question prompt, by writing a letter to a person, company, or institution. Your response is worth about 30% of your writing score and is graded separately from the Task 2 essay.
The information below includes test-taking tips, strategies, expressions, sample questions, model letters, and references. It can help you get the highest possible score on the letter-writing section of the IELTS. Use it regularly to keep track of your progress. All the best!
Tips for IELTS General Task 1
1. Identify the type of letter you are being asked to write.
Semi-formal
Step 2 will help you recognize each type of letter.
2. Identify the purpose of the letter.
Read lots of sample questions. Decide whether the question requires a formal, semi-formal, or informal response. Steps 1 & 2 will help you choose the right language, style, and tone for your letter.
3. Open and close the letter correctly. Do this based on the type and purpose of the letter.
4.Start the letter appropriately.
a. Open a formal and semi-formal letter with a formal sentence and paragraph. Get down to business and say why you are writing. Don’t try to be friendly, as you do not know the person you are writing to.
Formal: Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inquire about… I am writing in connection with…
Semi-formal Dear Mr Johnson, I am writing to inform you that… I am writing to…
b. Open an informal letter with a general, friendly paragraph. Acknowledge your friendship first, before explaining the reason for your letter. In fact, the first paragraph could include just friendly small talk, unrelated to the reason for your writing.
Dear Susan I hope you and your family are all well! It was so wonderful to spend time with all of you last month. It felt great to catch up with you and Bob, get to know your children, and have fun together after so long. You have always been dear friends of mine, and always will be.
Anyway, the reason I’m writing is that I have some good news: I am getting married in September…
5. Learn and use standard written phrases.
In English letter writing, we use a number of standard expressions and phrases. These not only save time and effort, but also make it easier for the reader to understand our meaning. You can add on the specific information you wish to communicate to these standard phrases. See the list of Useful Expressions below.
6. Spell commonly used words correctly. Learn and practice the correct spelling of words you are likely to use on the exam. Examples are: “sincerely”, “faithfully”, “in connection with”, “apologize”, and so on. This is an easy way to boost your score.
Usually you need four paragraphs:
- Introduction
- Problem / Situation
- Solution / Action
Indenting: Do NOT leave a line space between paragraphs. Start writing a little to the right of the left margin. Skipping a line: Leave a line space between paragraphs. Start writing directly from the left margin.
8. Use clear handwriting. Make sure your writing is neat and legible, so your words can be read easily and do not appear to have spelling mistakes. Get feedback from a teacher on your handwriting. Pay special attention to how you form and connect letters such as a, e, i, u, n, r, and w.
9. Write at least 150 words. Practice writing letters till you know what 150 words feels like and looks like. You will lose marks if you write less. You will not lose marks if you write more.
10. Include all three bulleted points. If you exclude even one of the points given to you in the question prompt, you will get a lower grade. Answer all the points.
In your letter:
- explain the problem
- describe why it disturbs you
- suggest a solution
11. Finish in time.
The IELTS General Task I letter is worth about 30% of your writing score, so make sure you complete the whole letter. Though you have to make up a story to explain the situation, keep it simple so you don’t run out of time. Make sure to keep 40 minutes to complete the essay in Task 2, which is worth much more in terms of points.
12. Read model letters but don’t memorize them. Instead, read the letters to get an idea of the overall flow and to pick up new vocabulary and expressions. Make sure to consult only reliable sources, such as Good Luck IELTS , for model answers.
13. Understand the scoring criteria. Learn how to get a high score by knowing what examiners look for and how they award or deduct points.
IELTS General Task 1 Grading Criteria
14. Practice writing letters regularly and get them checked by an IELTS trainer. Not every English teacher understands the demands of this particular exam, so find someone who has IELTS teaching experience, if possible. Practice writing answers to sample questions every day in order to improve your skills, your speed, your confidence, and your score!
IELTS General Task 1: Useful Expressions for Letter-Writing
To complete your IELTS letter-writing task within 20 minutes, learn to use and spell common phrases and expressions correctly. Choose the correct level of formality based on your question prompt. By using these phrases, you will save time and effort and earn a higher IELTS score. Most of the expressions below are arranged from formal to semi-formal to informal.
For a full list of phrases and expressions, check Good Luck IELTS .
Apologizing Please accept my sincere apologies for… I am very sorry about… Sorry for…
Asking for help I’d be grateful if you could… I would appreciate it if you could… Could you please…
Asking for information I am writing to enquire about… I am writing to find out about… I would like to know about…
Closing I look forward to hearing from you, I look forward to seeing you, I look forward to meeting you,
Complaining I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with… I am writing to express my annoyance with… I’m not happy with…
Expressing satisfaction I was delighted to learn that… I was thrilled to hear that… I was very glad to hear that…
Expressing concern I am writing to express my concern about… I was very sorry to learn that… I was really sorry to hear that…
Giving bad news I regret to advise you that… I regret to inform you that… I am sorry to tell you that…
Giving good news I am pleased to advise you that… I am delighted to inform you that… I am happy to tell you that…
Giving reasons This is due to… This is a result of … This is because…
Making suggestions Perhaps it would be useful to… Perhaps it would be possible to… It might be helpful to…
Thanking I am extremely grateful for… I really appreciate… Thank you for…
IELTS General Task 1: Sample Questions
You are looking for a full-time job. Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter:
- introduce yourself
- explain what sort of job you would like
- say what experience and skills you have
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir/Madam
You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are going to take a short holiday in Singapore and you want to rent a holiday apartment while you are there. Write to the tourist information office. In your letter:
- explain what you need
- say when you plan to be there
- ask for information about prices
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr/Ms __________
You stayed at your friend’s house when you attended a conference in Australia. Unfortunately, you left a large envelope with some important documents in your room. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:
- thank your friend for the stay
- describe where you left the envelope
- ask him/her to return it to you by post
Begin your letter as follows: Dear _________
For more sample IELTS questions, visit:
Good Luck IELTS: Sample IELTS Letter Topics 1 Good Luck IELTS: Sample IELTS Letter Topics 2 Good Luck IELTS: Sample IELTS Letter Topics 3
IELTS General Task 1: Model Letters:
Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday.
Write a letter to your friends. In your letter:
- thank them for the photos and for the holiday
- explain why you didn’t write earlier
- invite them to come and stay with you
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any address.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________
Dear Ajay and Sunita,
Thanks so much for your kind letter, with the lovely photos of my holiday in Mumbai. Sorry for the delay in replying, but your package arrived as I was about to leave town on a business trip. I’ve just returned to Toronto today.
Looking at the photos brings back so many happy memories of the times we spent together and the wonderful hospitality you extended to me. I felt completely pampered by both of you! You surrounded me with warm friends, tasty food, amazing sights, great shopping, unforgettable cultural events and laughter-filled evenings. I would have been lost without you! I can’t thank you enough.
These good memories gave me an idea. I know you’ve always wanted to visit Canada. Why don’t you plan a holiday and stay with me this summer? The weather is great at that time of year and I could take two weeks off from work. Aside from seeing Toronto, we could drive to Niagara Falls, Thousand Islands, Montreal, Ottawa, and Quebec City. I would be thrilled if you could make it.
Thank you both again for the beautiful holiday and the photos, which are already up on my wall. Now, I’m really looking forward to hearing from you.
Warm wishes, Carol (205 words)
For more formal, semi-formal, and informal letters, check Good Luck IELTS – Sample IELTS Letters
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Ielts sample letters (ielts writing task 1).
The purpose of this section is to help you with the Writing Task 1 of the IELTS General test. In Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Depending on the task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:
- engage in personal correspondence - elicit and provide general factual information - express needs, wants, likes and dislikes - express opinions (views, complaints etc.)
Exam Preparation
Ielts preparation, ielts sample charts (ielts writing task 1).
The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or describe a process.
IELTS Writing Task 2 (IELTS Sample essays)
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words. You will be presented with a topic and will be tested on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions and supporting what you write with reasons, arguments and relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1. Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS examiners, who all hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.
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IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More
Useful IELTS writing task 1 tips, answers, lessons & videos for success achieving a high score. This page contains all the information and help you need to do well. Learn about the IELTS marking criteria, paragraphing, vocabulary and much more. This page has tips for Academic writing task 1 and GT writing task 1 (see bottom of page).
IELTS Writing Task 1 Information
- IELTS recommend you spend no more than 20 mins on writing task 1. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
- You should write over 150 words.
- IELTS writing task 1 is worth only about 33% of your total writing marks.
- Task Achievement (25%)
- Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
- Vocabulary (25%)
- Grammar (25%)
- : IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Scores
- Academic writing task 1 is a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process). See below for practice charts, model answers, tips etc.
- General Training writing task 1 is a letter only. GT letter writing tips can be found towards the bottom of this page. Click here for Information about GT Writing Differences. There are tips for letter writing, further down this page.
- All words will be counted and all numbers count as one word. See this page: How Words are Counted
- For more information about IELTS test rules, tips etc, see this page: IELTS Test 1 FAQ
IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Charts
A collection of useful IELTS writing task 1 practice samples to develop your writing at home.
IELTS Charts for Practice : Academic Test Only
- Academic students may get bar charts, tables, line graphs, pie charts, maps and diagrams (processes).
IELTS Letters for Practice : GT Test Only
- GT students will only be given letters for task 1. GT students can find more tips lower down this page.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips & Free Videos
Free IELTS writing task 1 tips and videos for the right techniques and understanding the test more clearly.
- Essential Tips : How to Prepare for Writing Task 1
- Tips : How Many Words Should you Write?
- Tips: What tense to use in writing task 1?
- Tips : Penalty for Under the Word Count
- Video : How to Describe a Bar Chart with model answer
- Video : Map Language: 1
- Video: Conclusion or Overview Tips
- Video : Vocabulary for Accurate Data
- Video : How many Paragraphs
- Video : Official Writing Answer Sheet Tips
- Video : Line Graph 4 Main Sentences
- Video : Line Graph How to Write a Complex Sentence
IELTS Bar Chart Video
Learn how to describe a bar chart in IELTS writing task 1. You can find a model answer for this lesson here: Model Answer .
Writing Task 1 Model Answers
IELTS model answers for charts, graphs, diagrams, maps and tables.. Each sample answer is estimated band score 9.
- Diagram Model Answer
- Bar Chart & Pie Charts Model Answer
- Table Model Answer
- Map Model Answer
- Line Graph Model Answer
- Bar Chart Model Answer
- Pie Chart Model Answer
- Table Future Form Model Answer
- Line Graph & Bar Chart Model Answer
- Practise at Home: IELTS Sample Practice Charts
IELTS Writing Task 1 Practice Lessons
IELTS writing task 1 free practice lessons to help you develop skills and understand about the requirements of task 1 academic. More lessons will be added over time.
- Table & Pie Charts
- IELTS Diagram Rain Water
- Two Line Graphs: Exercise & Model
- IELTS Diagram Paragraphs and Organisation
- IELTS Life Cycle Diagram: Model & Gap Fill
- Bar Chart of Change over Time
- IELTS Line Graph Gap Fill Exercise
- IELTS Diagrams: Practice Exercise
- IELTS Line Graph: Vocabulary List
- IELTS Line Graph: How to Describe Guidelines
- IELTS Line Graph: Exercise & Model
- Task 1 Introduction Paragraph Practice
- IELTS Map: Comparison Exercise
- IELTS Two Charts Practice: Pie Chart & Bar Chart
- IELTS Bar Chart: Practice Exercise
- IELTS Diagram Water Supply
- Grammar Accuracy: Practice & Tips
- IELTS Bar Chart: Introduction & Overview Practice
- IELTS Pie Chart: How to Describe a Pie Chart Step by Step
- IELTS Diagram: Introduction & Overview Practice
- Introduction Paragraph: Common Errors
- IELTS Bar Chart Sample Answer
IELTS General Training Letter
The following links are for IELTS candidates who are preparing for the General Training Writing Test. Your task will be asked to write a letter. You will not be writing a report as in the Academic Test. Use the links below to help you prepare:
10 Essential Tips for IELTS Letter Writing
How to Improve your IELTS GT Letter
Differences between GT & Academic Writing
General training model letters and practice exercises:
- Apology Letter: Model Answers Formal & Informal
- Amendment Letter: Model Answer 2017
- Complaint Letter: Model Answer
- Complaint Letter: Error Correction
- Letter to a Friend: Model Answer
- Invitation Letter: Model Answer
………………
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Ielts general training writing task 1 - how to write a letter.
The IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 assesses your ability to communicate effectively through letter writing. It requires you to write a letter to a person, company, or institution, and it measures your ability to communicate about practical issues . To succeed in this task, it's important to understand the different types of letters, their structures, and their purposes. In this blog, we will provide you with tips and guidelines on how to write an outstanding letter that meets the requirements of the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 .
What are the things examiners look for in a letter?
To effectively prepare for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 , it is important to understand the key elements that examiners evaluate in a letter.
Achieving the desired IELTS score will become simpler if you will put in the effort and follow these tips. Here are compiled crucial aspects to keep in mind when composing a letter for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 .
In the assessment criteria of IELTS , particularly task achievement, the examiner checks whether your letter includes the following components:
- Clearly presents the purpose of the letter
- Demonstrates an appropriate tone throughout
- Includes well-organised and elaborated bullet points
- Adheres to the appropriate format for a letter
While this provides a brief overview, let's get deeper into each of these aspects and explore how you should approach writing your letter for IELTS Writing Task 1.
Tips to write a perfect letter in your IELTS General Training Writing task 1
If you are planning or preparing for an IELTS General Training test then these tips will help you achieve your desired score:
1. Start with the purpose
Begin your letter by explicitly stating the purpose behind your communication. The opening paragraph should clearly convey why you are writing. It is crucial that the purpose of your letter directly addresses the scenario provided in the question.
Here are some examples of opening paragraphs that effectively present a clear purpose:
Here are the common IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 situations:
2. Use the correct tone
Now, let's proceed to discuss the next aspect that examiners consider in your letter: the appropriate tone. The tone of your letter refers to the manner in which you express yourself , whether it should adopt a formal or informal style. To determine the suitable tone, refer to the instructions provided in the question.
To write your letter, consider the following:
Select the appropriate salutation based on the required tone and the relationship you have with the recipient. Remember to maintain consistency throughout the letter in terms of the tone you choose.
In a formal letter, you will usually find the following characteristics:
- Longer sentences having passive language (be + past participle)
- Usage of modals (E.g. "The broken light needs to be fixed to ensure that the customers who use this facility have adequate visibility of their surroundings.")
On the other hand, an informal letter possesses the following attributes:
- Conversational tone ("Can you fix the light in the kitchen, so I don't have an accident?")
- Inclusion of contractions (E.g. "Can't you fix the light in the kitchen, so I don't have an accident?")
- More direct speech (E.g. "Can you fix the light in the kitchen, so I don't have an accident?")
To assist you further, the table below illustrates examples of formal and informal vocabulary and structures that can be used in your IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 response:
Lastly, it is important for you to know that the greeting and closing salutation in your IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 letter should align with the chosen style. Here are a few examples:
Formal Style
- Greetings: Dear Sir/Madam Closing
- Salutation: Yours faithfully
Informal Style
- Greetings: Dear John Closing
- Salutation: Best wishes
When selecting the appropriate greeting and closing salutation, consider the level of formality required for your letter. Maintain consistency throughout by using a greeting and closing salutation that match the chosen style.
3. Ensure that you include the bullet points
when composing a letter for the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, it is important for you to provide the bullet points given in the question. The IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 question will typically include the following details:
- A given situation
- The intended recipient of the letter
- Specific points or elements to be included (presented as bullet points)
It is important to address all three bullet points and carefully consider any instances where a bullet point contains multiple elements or is connected by "and." Additionally, be mindful of plurals within the bullet points.
Now, let's analyse the given question in detail:
Your task is to write a letter to your overseas friend who intends to visit your country for a holiday. In your letter, please include the following:
- Advise the most suitable time of year to visit and explain the reasons behind your recommendation
- Describe the various types of accommodation options available for your friend to consider
- Share what specific places or attractions you would like to show your friend during their visit to your country
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
- The best time of the year to visit
- Why it is the best time to visit
Look at the second bullet point and you will see you will that you have to describe ‘types’ of accommodation. So, remember to watch for plurals.
- First type of accommodation
- Second type of accommodation
Example for the first bullet point, covering both elements (when and why):
Most people visit Brisbane in the summer months, but I think it’s far too hot then. The best time to visit is between April and June, our autumn season. It’s still sunny, but much cooler and not as humid as the summer.
Read more: How to prepare for General IELTS General Training Writing Task 2
Choose the correct structure for your letter
Now let's consider the final aspect of IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 , which is the structure of your letter. It is essential to hold on to the proper format when writing your letter, including the following elements:
- Greeting: Begin your letter with an appropriate greeting, such as "Dear sir/madam," "Dear John," or "Dear Mr. Smith."
- Main body: The main body of your letter should consist of paragraphs, each addressing a different part or topic of the letter.
- Closing: Conclude your letter with a suitable closing, such as "Yours sincerely," "Yours faithfully," "Best wishes," "Kind regards," or "Love," depending on the level of formality and your relationship with the recipient.
Important note: In the given instructions, it states that you do not need to include any addresses in your letter. Therefore, avoid including any addresses within the letter.
Here is an example of an informal letter that follows this structure:
To achieve a higher band score in IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, it is crucial to include the following elements in your letter:
- Clear objective: Make sure to establish a clear and concise purpose for your letter
- Suitable tone: Use an appropriate tone that aligns with the context and relationship between the sender and recipient
- Comprehensive coverage : Ensure that all the bullet points provided in the task are addressed and highlighted in your letter
- Proper format: Hold on to the appropriate letter-writing format, including salutation, introduction, body paragraphs, and closing
If you want to know more about the IELTS General Training test or anything about the IELTS test , in that case, you can visit to your nearest IDP IELTS test centres .
Read more insightful articles:
- General training practice tests
- Tips for IELTS writing
- Similarities and differences for IELTS writing task 1 and task 2
- Prepare for IELTS academic writing task 2
- Know how to paraphrase in IELTS writing
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When it comes to taking the International English language testing system (IELTS) test, if you by any chance don’t clear the test on the first attempt.
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When you prepare for the International English language testing system (IELTS) test, it is very important to pay extra attention to your spelling as they play the most important role in scoring a high score.
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IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter Writing
In IELTS General Writing Task 1, you are given a task to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation in the form of a formal, semi-formal or informal letter of at least 150 words.
Here is an example how the task prompt looks like:
WRITING TASK 1 (General)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
There have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.
Write a letter to your manager. In your letter
- describe the complaints that have been made
- say why the reception area is important
- suggest how the reception area could be improved
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin as follows:
How to write a letter for IELTS General Writing Task 1?
You must start by spending some time reading the instructions. You should spend at least 2 minutes planning your letter:
- Read the instructions thoroughly
- Identify appropriate style ( formal, semi-formal or personal )
- Brainstorm, make up your story, write down the main keywords and make sure you cover and clearly address all the points
- Decide how to open the letter
- Organise your letter into paragraphs
- Use connecting words to link your ideas
- Decide how to close the letter
Once you have quickly sketched a story in your head and also made supporting notes, it becomes easier to write exactly in response to the writing prompt and ensure that you fully follow the instructions .
Important notes:
- You must use the appropriate style and type of letter
- Make sure you use all three points to structure your letter
- Focus on one idea per each bullet point
- Write at least 150 words
How is IELTS General Writing Task 1 scored?
IELTS General Writing Task 1 gives you 1 / 3 of your total writing score, whereas Task 2 is worth 2 / 3 of your score. Hence the recommended time for both tasks: for Task 1 it is 20 minutes, for Task 2 it is 40 minutes.
Your writing will be evaluated on the four marking criteria:
- Task achievement
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
Each criterion gives 25% of your total score for the task.
For more detailed information, see the IELTS Writing Task 1 band descriptors .
"I have 7+ years of IELTS teaching experience . I will correct your grammar and give suggestions for more appropriate word use. I will give you tips on how to answer the question in the way the IELTS examiners expect." — Claudia, IELTS teacher from the UK
IELTS Letter Topics & Sample Letters
Instead of providing hundreds of IELTS letter topics, we have categorised them into 5 different IELTS letters , based on the purpose of writing.
Under each IELTS letter you will find:
- Letter structure with useful vocabulary
- A sample letter on a related topic that has been corrected and evaluated by an IELTS examiner
It is a lot easier to concentrate on different IELTS letters (such as complaint letters, request letters and so on) one by one as the structure, style, openings and closings vary.
Therefore, depending on what topic you are asked to write, use any relevant IELTS letter page respectively and the IELTS General Writing Task 1 letter will become much easier to write.
However, in case you do not know exactly what the differences are between formal, semi-formal and informal letters, we suggest you start reading about different types of letters first.
IELTS LETTERS
Informal Letter
Business Letter
Complaint Letter
Job Application Letter
Request Letter
Ielts general writing task 1: letter sample (corrected).
Begin as follows: Dear ... ,
Dear Mr Brown,
There have been quite a number of complaints from our visitors regarding the reception area recently. After doing some research, I am writing this letter to talk about the complaints and my suggestions on how to improve the area.
Some visitors said that our reception area was too dark as there was not bright enough , so they felt our company is was dull and monotonous mundane . They also said that there were no seats for people when they were waiting for someone from our office and that , as a matter of fact, it is was rude to let our guests stand and wait in our office.
The reception area is very crucial to a company, because it is the first impression that visitors have about a company, it represents the soul s as well as style of a company, and it will certainly affect whether our customers want to do business with us.
I would like to suggest that adding more windows around the reception area for natural light or installing some better lighting on the ceiling will help . Besides Furthermore , it will would be beneficial to put some sofas there so that visitors can sit down when while they are waiting. I look forward to receiving your comments on my suggestions.
Thank you very much.
Yours sincerely,
Edmond Stafford
(213 words)
Band Score Estimate (prior to corrections)
Brief comments:
- "Monotonous" means repetitive and boring. "Mundane" has a similar meaning with less emphasis on the repetition. However, “uninspiring” could be a better option.
- I would like to suggest that ... - "That" is not needed here and nor is "will help" as, by their nature, suggestions offer help in solving problems.
- "Besides" can mean "in any case" or "with the exception of" and neither of these fit the context. The idea needed here is "in addition" and "furthermore" does this.
See more useful IELTS letter writing resources:
- IELTS Types of Letters
- IELTS Informal Letter
- IELTS Business Letter
- IELTS Complaint Letter
- IELTS Request Letter
- IELTS Job Application Letter
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Whether you have any questions, want to leave feedback or discuss cooperation possibilities, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and will answer as soon as possible. In the meantime, discover our site and let it help you smooth your IELTS journey and make your studies more efficient.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 tips & strategies
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 tips and strategies
Ielts gt task 1 writing strategies.
When you are answering the task 1 GT writing questions, you should work through the following steps.
- Analyze the question
- Make notes of ideas which could be useful
- Make a plan
- Write the letter
- Check for mistakes
In this post, the five-step strategy will be used to guide you through various sample writing tasks for Task 1 general training.
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 tips from examiners!
When IELTS examiners look at a Task 1 piece of writing, they have 3 basic questions in mind:
- Does the letter do what the question asks? Or, is the content (the ideas and information) appropriate to the task?
- Is the letter written in a well-organized and logical way?
- Are the language and the tone of the letter accurate and correct?
Many candidates get lower band scores in the test because the content and the organization of their writing are not good enough.
It is important that you follow these steps when answering a Task 1 question. The following steps have been demonstrated for you to write your first letters with more confidence.
Sample Question:
The course director of your previous college has invited you to attend a party for new students, and he has also asked you to give a talk about studying overseas. You have an important examination on the same day so you cannot attend the party.
Write a letter to the director to apologize and to explain why you cannot attend the event. Suggest another date when you could give your talk.
How to Answer IELTS General Training task 1?
1- step 1, analyzing the question, – what is the topic.
Find it out by underlining the key words in the question.
You have been invited to go to a party and give a talk, but you cannot go to the party.
To whom am I writing?
The letter is to the course director of your old college. Although you know him, it is unlikely that you know him very well. The style of the letter should in this instance be formal.
What is your purpose in writing the letter?
You can see that you are given three things to do:
- Apologize (for not being able to attend)
- Explain (why you cannot attend)
- Suggest (another date)
2- Step 2, Make Notes of Ideas
Make a brief note of and ideas which you may like to use in your answer. Look at the questions or the bullet points which you need to answer and budget your time accordingly. In the following box, a student has written some notes.
On the right side, you will find an explanation of what these notes mean.
IELTS GT task 1 writing strategy
3- Step 3, Make a Plan
Decide which of these ideas you will definitely use in your letter. Then organize them. Do you remember our notes in Step 2? Now, in the box below, you can see a sample plan which is based on our ideas and our notes. Each black bullet point represents a separate paragraph. Notice that not all of the ideas have been used.
- Thanks, sorry
- Imp. Exam, Date fixed
- Can come, My tel.
- All well there? Hope success
4- Step 4, Write the letter
When you have a map of what you are going to write, stick to it. Don’t go off the track. Don’t add new ideas even if they seem better choices to you.
By following your map, you will reduce the risk of making new mistakes.
Just concentrate on what you mean and try to choose the best grammatical structures as well as careful choices of vocabulary items to best express your ideas and prove your language ability.
Now look at the sample answer below:
Sample Answer
Dear Mr. Loyds,
Thank you for your kind invitation to attend the party for new students on the 29th of January. Thank you also for thinking of me to give a talk. However, unfortunately I am unable to attend the party.
I am afraid that on the following day, I have my first semester economics exam. This is a complicated subject and a good mark is essential for me, so I have to spend the day before studying. I asked my lecturer if it would be possible to take the examination on another date, but this is not permitted.
However, I would be very happy to give the talk on another day. I am available on the 5th and the 6th of February. If one of those dates is convenient for you, please let me know. I can be contacted at the address above or fax or telephone.
I hope that everyone at the college is well, and I hope that your party is a great success. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Amy Sanilar
(178 words)
5- Step 5, Check your Mistakes
It is best to make sure you leave a couple of minutes to check your work. Try to set between three to five minutes aside looking for and checking your own personal common mistakes.
Many students get lower marks specially when the topics seems easy to them, which is mainly because since they do not worry about to say, they do not pay enough attention to correct grammar and they repeat their fossilized mistakes or errors.
All information about IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
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- IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter Sample Answers
To understand the test format of the IELTS Writing Task, it is useful to study samples of successful answers. Pay attention to the structure of the letter; what words and grammatical constructions are used. In this task you can write formal and informal words and expressions.
Formal Letters
WRITING TASK 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are due to start a new job next week but you will not be able to because you have some problems.
Write a letter to your new employer. In your letter
• explain your situation • describe your problems • tell him/her when you think you can start.
You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ...............,
Dear Ms Barnes,
I am writing concerning the position of Assistant Office Manager that I am due to begin next Monday. However, a problem has arisen.
As you know, I currently work for my uncle's food-packing business, and you will remember from my interview that I have gained valuable experience there. Unfortunately, he has had to go into hospital for an operation, leaving my aunt in charge of both the home and the business. She has asked me, as this is a particularly busy time of year, to stay on and help her with the running of the office.
I realise this will be inconvenient to you, but very much hope that, given the circumstances, you would be prepared to allow me to take up my position with you two weeks later than planned.
I would like to emphasise that I remain very keen to work with you, and that I will be gaining further useful experience during this time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely, John Forbes
On a recent holiday you lost a valuable item. Fortunately you have travel insurance to cover the cost of anything lost.
Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter: • Describe the item you lost • Explain how you lost it. • Tell the insurance company what you would like them to do.
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing in connection with a laptop I lost last weekend which was under the travel insurance with your company.
That was the ‘HP’ brand laptop which I bought last month with a price of USD 650.00. It was black colored and with the latest i-7 core processor technology covering a 2 years of warranty.
I have visited Goa to spend my yearly holiday along with my entire family member. The laptop was stolen from my hotel room where we were at sea beach. It is to be mentioned here that the room was locked during that time. After returning I found myself in this unpleasant situation and contacted to the hotel authority immediately and made a serious complaint. Moreover, I have made a General Diary to the nearest police station for the same reason. The copy of the GD is enclosed here.
Therefore, I request you to properly investigate the matter and arrange to pay the claimed amount under insurance by a cheque at an early date so that I can purchase a new one. Your early action in this regard will be highly appreciated.
Yours faithfully, John Jolly
You travelled by plane last week and your suitcase was lost. You have still heard nothing from the airline company. Write to the airline and • explain what happened • describe your suitcase and tell them what was in it • find out what they are going to do about it
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to you regarding my suitcase, which was lost on the British Airways flight from London to New York (BA123) on January 2nd. When I realized the loss on my arrival in New York I reported it to the counter staff. The agent promised to give my hotel a call within the next hours, but unfortunately this did not happen. I have contacted British Airways numerous times since by phone without being able to locate the suitcase. My suitcase is made of dark blue fabric with black handles and a single. It contains clothing, presents for friends I will visit and photographic equipment I was planning to use on my trip. I already had to buy some cloths and toiletry for which I attached the receipt to this letter expecting you to refund my expenses. I hope this matter can be resolved very soon as I plan to continue my trip to California on the 7th of January and will no longer be able to pick up the suitcase in New York after this date. You can reach me on my mobile 123456789. Yours Faithfully, Chuck Berry
Informal Letters
WRITING TASK 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. You want to sell some of your furniture. You think a friend of yours might like to buy it from you. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter • explain why you are selling • describe the furniture • suggest a date when your friend can come and see the furniture Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...............,
MODEL ANSWER This model has been prepared by an examiner as an example of a very good answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of many possible approaches. Dear Jan, As you know, we'll be moving to a new house soon and there are a few things that I won't be able to take with me. The new house is a bit smaller so I have to sell some furniture and I was wondering if you might be interested? In particular I want to sell my big dining table. Do you remember it - the one in the living room? It has wooden legs and a grey glass top and it’s big enough for six people. There are six matching chairs to go with it. I know you've always liked this furniture so I could let you have it at a good price. I'd rather sell it to you than to a stranger! Why don’t you come around and take another look at them on Saturday? We’ll be here all day, so maybe we could have some lunch together? Give me a ring and let me know. Love, Shanda.
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IELTS practice General Training Writing test 2 - Task 1
This is the first section of the IELTS General Training Writing test. You should spend about 20 minutes on it.
Write about the following topic:
You have lost an item of value on a train.
Write a letter to the railway company. In your letter
- describe the item
- explain where and when you left it
- say what action you would like the company to take
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You have completed the first section of your Writing test. Now move on to Writing task 2.
- IELTS practice General Training Writing test 2 - Task 2
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- Academic practice
- General practice
- Task 1 Academic
- Task 1 General
- Task 2 (essay)
Task 1-G samples with tips and answers
Sample 1 Formal
Sample 2 Semi-formal
IELTS General Writing Task 1
In this task 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 .
How to answer IELTS General Task 1?
Think about the given situation. The situation is imaginary and you often have to make up explanations and inquiries for your letter.
Once you have thought out your answer, you should write a letter with the following structure:
Use special vocabulary to write letters and linking structures .
- Skip to main content
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How to Organize Essays with Simple Paragraphs in IELTS Writing
February 19, 2024 By Ben Worthington Leave a Comment
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In this tutorial, we discuss proper essay and sentence structures necessary for IELTS Writing.
We look at:
- How to state the main points and ideas properly in your Essays.
- Proper writing structures for your essays and paragraphs.
- Sample Essays in IELTS Writing.
Join many other students who have achieved IELTS success with our online course or get instant writing feedback with our online IELTS essay checker .
You can download or listen to the audio version here:
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About Ben Worthington
As the founder of IELTSPodcast, Ben started his journey as an English educator in 2006. Ben and his team of teachers provide students with expert advice, twice a week to cover the writing, reading, listening and speaking sections of the IELTS exam.
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English language proficiency test: IELTS, CELPIP or PTE Core
Home >> Information >> English language proficiency test: IELTS, CELPIP or PTE Core
19th Feb 2024 | Information
By darren george
Are you applying for permanent residency in Canada and wondering which English language proficiency test suits you best? This article will compare IELTS General Training , CELPIP, and PTE Core, considering their format, scoring, acceptance, preparation facilities, and availability. Keep reading to discover the right option for you!
Book now your IELTS exam
English language proficiency test: differences between IELTS, PTE Core, and CELPIP
By the end of January 2024, the IRCC announced that it is now accepting another exam, the PTE Core from Pearson, for immigration processes to Canada. So currently there are 3 suitable English language proficiency tests with that purpose in mind: IELTS General Training, CELPIP, and PTE Core . Let’s see what they offer for you to make an informed choice.
First you should know that the 3 international English language tests evaluate the main 4 communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
- IELTS General Training: duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. You can choose to take it on paper (IOP) or computer (IOC). However, you should note that the speaking section is conducted face-to-face with an examiner. About the format:
- PTE Core: is an English language proficiency test available only on-computer, which you can take in about 2 hours . It is suitable for migration or work visas in Canada, as well as Canadian citizenship. About the test format:
- CELPIP : is also only delivered as a computer-based test . There are two modalities , one for permanent residence applications (General) and Listening & Speaking, for Canadian citizenship applications, which is shorter. However, both are focused on the American accent . About the General format (the whole exam takes about 3 hours):
As seen, among the 3 formats, the IELTS test is often favoured for its real-life situational focus , assessing language skills necessary for daily communication and work environments . Its balance of evaluating listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills provides a comprehensive measure of proficiency. While other exams exist, this one stands out for its practicality, making it a popular choice for international endeavours.
The results are equivalent to CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) as follows:
- IELTS General Training: scores range from 0 to 9 for each skill. – Zero means that you didn’t answer any of the questions. – From 1 to 5 implies that your language use is limited. – 6 and 7 mean that you have a strong English command in general. – 8 and 9 imply that you are an expert in the language.
- PTE Core: it is scored on a scale from 0 to 90. To obtain a CLB 7 you must obtain: – 60-68 in reading – 69-78 in writing – 60-70 in listening – 68-75 in speaking
- CELPIP General: in this case, the conversion y direct, since it scores from 0 to 12, as well as CLB. – 0 and 1 indicate that the test wasn’t taken or that there is insufficient information to assess. – 2 and 3 show that the examiner has limited language use. – 4 to 6 is an intermediate level. – 7 to 9 demonstrates enough proficiency in several contexts. – 10 to 12 means that the examiner has a high level.
Keep in mind that if you seek to obtain a CLB 7, you must score a minimum of 6 in each category in the IELTS test. You should also note that when the results are ready, the British Council can send them to any institution or organization that you need. In addition, we provide free exclusive preparation material to help you reach the desired score.
When taking an English language proficiency test, you want to make sure that it is widely accepted and recognized.
- IELTS : this exam is accepted by 12,000 institutions in over 150 countries . It was the first test to be recognized by the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada), it is suitable for obtaining permanent residency and is valid in over 850 organizations in Canada.
The first version of the test was launched in 1980 and it consolidated in 1989 . It is widely recognized and has a long trajectory, which makes it reliable for several purposes involving the English Language.
- PTE: this test is accepted by over 3,300 institutions worldwide . It is suitable for visa applications in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The exam was launched in 2009.
- CELPIP: it is accepted by the IRCC for permanent residency, several processes, and professional certification. The exam was created around 2002 .
As you can notice the IELTS exam is the one with the most trajectory and is recognized in more countries, which is why it is highly trusted .
Preparation
Preparation is key to success. Let’s dive into the options for each exam:
- IELTS: you will find different materials to prepare for the test day , such as:
- IELTS Ready Premium : it is a free tool for those who take the exam with the British Council. You will access videos from previous test takers, tutorials and advice from experts, timed practice tests, learning materials, exercises, and question-and-answer models.
- Practice tests : these mock exams are very useful to familiarise with the format and real-time conditions.
- Webinars : they are led by exam experts every week so that you can ask them any questions that you may have.
- Prep app : this is an option that allows you to practice anywhere at any time. You will find free practice tests, grammar tips, exercises, and sample questions.
- Online tutoring : these paid courses are more personalized. You can choose a rapid revision or advanced sessions.
- Test day advice , regarding what to expect, what to do or avoid, and blog posts covering everything you need to know about the test.
- PTE Core: you can find a free online course (which takes about 2 to 3 hours), videos explaining the test format, practice tests, question-and-answer models, tips, and a handbook. There are also paid options, such as grammar books to strengthen your knowdledge.
- CELPIP: you can access free practice tests, to familiarise yourself with timing and the exam format; watch study tips videos; join webinars and workshops; study with a guidebook; and purchase materials.
As shown, IELTS provides several options for your preparation , that you can adjust to your preferences, priorities, and availability, since they can be as intensive as you want.
Rely on this trustworthy exam, which by 2023 more than 4 million people took. Furthermore, by taking the IELTS from the British Council, you have the backing of an organisation dedicated to English language education for over 85 years and in more than 150 countries. This ensures the quality of your examiners and provides you with a wide range of excellent preparation materials.
Availability
Last but not least, let’s compare their availability.
- IELTS: it offers more than 150 venues across de country in provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
- PTE: currently, the PTE Core is offered in about 25 test centres across Canada. You can find them in provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
If you want to book this exam, you should do it with some advance notice , since there is availability for 3 to 4 days in a month with 2 slots.
- CELPIP: it is available in 140 locations across Canada, and internationally , in different provinces, such as Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory, Quebec, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, among others. You will find several slots a day .
The British Council’s extensive IELTS test centre network in Canada offers IELTS test availability dates from Monday to Saturday, both in the morning and afternoon, throughout the entire year and covering over 50 cities in the country. This provides the flexibility you need to choose a convenient time for either the paper-based or computer-based test format and the One Skill Retake option.
Pursue your Canadian dream by taking the IELTS exam with the British Council! We got you covered to obtain the best possible score.
Visit the IELTS Canada homepage to find out more
Related articles:
How does One Skill Retake (OSR) work and what are its advantages? Writing IELTS examples to be prepared for the big day Learn how to prepare for the IELTS exam Get to know the advantages of the IELTS preparation course
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Process for Recycling Plastic Bottles – IELTS Writing Task 1
Updated On Feb 20, 2024
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Table of Contents [ Show ]
Structural Breakdown
- Band 7 Sample Answer
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- Band 9 Sample Answer
- List Of Connectors Used
Tips For Solving Process Diagram Questions
In this blog post, we will walk you through a model answer for an IELTS process diagram ‘Process for Recycling Plastic Bottles’ describing the steps involved in recycling plastic bottles. We will explain how to analyze the diagram, identify important features and changes, and write a detailed overview of the recycling process using the appropriate vocabulary and structure.
With the guidance provided in this post, you will learn how to describe process diagrams for a variety of IELTS Writing Task 1 topics in a complete and coherent manner to maximize your writing score. Follow along to gain the knowledge and tools to effectively tackle process diagram questions on test day.
Learn how to approach writing IELTS Writing Task 1 – Process Diagram .
Band 7 Sample Answer For Writing Task 1 Question – Process for Recycling Plastic Bottles
The diagram illustrates the nine-step cyclic process for recycling used plastic bottles.
Overall, the bottles go through a loop starting from initial collection to manufacturing new goods, which also get recycled after use.
Specifically, the first stage involves consumers placing used plastic bottles into designated recycling bins. The bottles are then gathered and transported to recycling centers. Here, workers manually sort and separate the plastic bottles from other materials. The chosen bottles undergo compression into large blocks.
Next, the blocks are fed into crushing machines to produce small plastic fragments. These fragments are then washed thoroughly. The clean fragments are melted and converted into plastic pellets. In the following step, the pellets are heated to form raw plastic material. This raw material is refined and rolled into sheets or filaments. The plastic is then utilized to manufacture a variety of end products such as t-shirts, pens, and bags. Finally, after being used, these products are discarded into recycling bins once again, thus perpetuating the closed-loop process.
Band 8 Sample Answer For Writing Task 1 Question – Process for Recycling Plastic Bottles
The given process diagram pictures the process of a cyclical 9-stage procedure of recycling plastic bottles.
Initially, post-consumption plastic bottles are deposited in designated recycling bins by consumers in the large. These bottles are then gathered by waste collectors and transported to materials recovery facilities. At these facilities, plastic bottles are manually sorted out from non-recyclable materials and compressed into large cubic blocks using hydraulic baling presses.
Subsequently, the compressed blocks are conveyed to grinders where they are crushed into particles that look like plastic flakes. After being thoroughly cleansed, the flakes are fed into extruders that melt and form them into tiny plastic pellets. Then, the pellets are subjected to heating exposure and converted into raw plastic material. This material is further refined and rolled into sheets or filaments ready for use in manufacturing assorted plastic goods. Finally, the goods are recycled once again after use, completing the cycle.
Band 9 Sample Answer For Writing Task 1 Question – Process for Recycling Plastic Bottles
The given process diagram depicts the 9 sequential steps involved in the sustainable recycling of used plastic bottles in a continual cycle.
Kicking off the recycling loop, consumers dispose of post-consumption plastic bottles into dedicated recycling bins. The bottles are then systematically gathered by refuse collection trucks and transported to materials reclamation plants. Here, conveyor belts and manual sorting are utilized to separate plastic bottles from non-recyclable waste.
The plastic bottles undergo hydraulic baling, in which they are compressed into dense, uniform blocks for ease of handling. Shredders then mechanically grind the blocks into tiny plastic flakes. Industrial-scale washers use detergents to meticulously clean the flakes before an extrusion process melts and shapes them into minute plastic pellets. Heating is applied to convert the pellets into a homogeneous raw plastic material which then undergoes refinement and rolling into sheets or filaments. Finally, manufacturers utilize plastic to produce various goods, thereby closing the recycling loop.
List Of Connectors Used In Writing Task 1 Academic – Process for Recycling Plastic Bottles
In Writing Task 1 Academic, connectors play a crucial role in creating a coherent and organized response. They help to establish a logical flow of information, guide the reader through the steps or features being described, and ensure that the overall structure of the writing is clear.
Connectors facilitate the transition from one idea to the next, enhancing the readability and understanding of the information presented in the visual data.
Here’s the list:
- Specifically
- Subsequently
- After being thoroughly
- Read the question carefully and analyze the main features of the diagram. Identify the stages and key steps.
- Plan your answer before writing. The group steps into stages and decides on paragraph order.
- Use linking words and passive voice to show the connection between steps. For example, “First, the plastic bottles are collected… Next, they are transported…”
- Stick to what is presented in the diagram. Do not add invented details or omit the stages shown. Provide an overview first then give factual detail.
- Use appropriate vocabulary to describe the equipment, inputs/outputs, and changes occurring. Academic style and terminology are best for Task 1.
- Allow time to proofread your answer and check that your overview matches the detailed description. Review structure and cohesion between paragraphs.
- Practice describing different types of diagrams to improve fluency with key terms and following logical order. Compare with sample answers to improve.
Also, Check:
- Process of Making Pulp and Paper Diagram Writing Task 1 Answers
- Water Cycle Diagram – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Answers
- Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Recycling process of wasted glass bottles Sample Answers
- The Process of Milk Production – IELTS Writing Task 1
- Stages and Equipment Used in the Cement-Making Process- Process Diagram
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Raajdeep Saha
Raajdeep Saha, an MBA graduate in Marketing from IMT Ghaziabad and holder of a BCA degree from The Heritage Academy, boasts three years of experience as a Senior Content Marketing Specialist. His focus lies in crafting persuasive content for IELTS, CELPIP, and TOEFL. Simultaneously, he's an accomplished author and poet, with his published work, "OUSHQ," showcasing his literary prowess. He seamlessly marries his marketing acumen with creative storytelling, making him a versatile professional of both corporate and artistic distinction.
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IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1: How to write a letter
Learn about the positive features IELTS examiners look for in your General Training Writing Task 1 response. Take a closer look at task achievement in the IELTS assessment criteria and learn how to score a higher band score.
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While preparing for IELTS General Training - Writing Task 1, know what features the examiners look for in a letter.
When you put in the work, getting the IELTS score you need is easy. We’ve put together some handy tips to get you one step ahead. With the help of our IELTS Experts, we have put together some important points you need to focus on when writing a letter as part of IELTS General Training Writing Task 1.
If we take a closer look at task achievement in the IELTS assessment criteria, you can see the examiner checks to see if your letter contains the following features:
Purpose of the letter is presented
Tone of the letter is appropriate
Bullet points are presented, highlighted and extended
Format is appropriate – letter format
That’s a quick overview, but let's take a closer look at what each of these dot points mean, and how you need to write your letter in IELTS Writing Task 1.
State the purpose
Start your letter by clearly stating why you are writing, the purpose. The reason for writing your letter needs to be clearly presented in the opening paragraph. Make sure the purpose of the letter is in direct response to the situation outlined in the question.
Example opening paragraphs with a clear purpose presented:
Common IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1 situations may include:
Use the right tone
Let’s move on to the next feature in your letter that the examiner is looking for, the tone of your letter. The tone refers to the way in which you write the letter, formal or informal style. The instructions in the question will give you a clue.
Begin your letter as follows:
A formal letter contains:
Longer sentences that use passive language (be + past participle)
Modals (e.g. The broken light needs to be fixed to ensure that the customers who use this facility have adequate visibility of their surroundings.)
An informal letter is:
Conversational
Can include contractions (e.g. can’t) and more direct speech (e.g. Can you fix the light in the kitchen, so I don’t have an accident?)
The table shows some examples of formal and informal vocabulary and structures that you can use in your IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 response:
And finally, remember that the greeting and the closing salutation of an IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1 letter needs to match the style. For example:
Dear Sir/Madam -----------------------> Yours faithfully
Dear John -----------------------> Best wishes
Include bullet points presented in the question
When writing a letter as part of the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, it is important to include the bullet points presented to you in the question.
The question in IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 will present you with:
A situation
Who to write the letter to
What you must include in the letter (the bullet points).
All three bullet points need to be presented. And remember that some bullet points contain more than one element. So, make sure to watch for ‘and’ and plurals.
Let’s break down the following question.
An overseas friend wants to visit your country on holiday.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
Recommend the best time of year to visit and why
Describe the types of accommodation your friend could choose
Say what you would like to show your friend in your country
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Dear…
Look at the first bullet point and you will see it contains two elements. So, make sure you present both:
The best time of the year to visit
Why it is the best time to visit
Look at the second bullet point and you will see you will that you have to describe ‘types’ of accommodation. So, remember to watch for plurals.
3. First type of accommodation
4. Second type of accommodation
Example for the first bullet point, covering both elements (when and why):
Most people visit Brisbane in the summer months, but I think it’s far too hot then. The best time to visit is between April and June, our autumn season. It’s still sunny, but much cooler and not as humid as the summer.
Structure your letter
The final feature to look at in IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1 is the format of your letter. A letter needs to be written using a proper format, including the following:
A greeting (Dear sir/madam, Dear John, Dear Mr. Smith)
The main body (consisting of paragraphs for each part of the letter)
A closing (Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, Best wishes, Kind regards, Love)
In the instructions you are told - You do NOT need to write any addresses – so do not include them.
This is an example of an informal letter:
Remember, to reach a higher band score for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, - task achievement, you need to include each of these features in your letter.
A clear purpose
Appropriate tone
Present and highlight all the bullet points
Appropriate format
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Begin your letter as follows: A formal letter contains: Longer sentences that use passive language (be + past participle) Modals (e.g. The broken light needs to be fixed to ensure that the customers who use this facility have adequate visibility of their surroundings.) An informal letter is: Conversational
IELTS Writing Task 1 asks you to write a summary of at least 150 words about some visual information, usually in the form of a graph, chart, or diagram. You must select the main features and describe and compare the data. IELTS Writing Task 1 in 6 Simple Steps
Resources Search: IELTS General Task 1 - Letter Writing by Rebecca Succeeding at any exam requires positivity, preparation, and practice! The IELTS General Writing Task 1 measures your ability to communicate about common practical issues. You have 20 minutes to respond to a question prompt, by writing a letter to a person, company, or institution.
- Suggest a solution. Sample Answer: Dear Mr. Johny, I'm writing this letter to express my concern about the parking space for cars in our office. You are aware that we have recently relocated and do not have parking facilities in this building. Let me explain the issue in detail.
- engage in personal correspondence - elicit and provide general factual information - express needs, wants, likes and dislikes - express opinions (views, complaints etc.) Exam Preparation General Writing Sample Task 1 #88 Letter of request General Writing Sample Task 1 #87 Complaint letter General Writing Sample Task 1 #86 Complaint letter
Task 1 - Write about the following topic: A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: give contact details for when you are away, give instructions about how to care for your pet, describe other household duties you would like your friend to undertake.
You will be marked on: Task Achievement (25%) Coherence & Cohesion (25%) Vocabulary (25%) Grammar (25%) For band score tips and details, see this MUST READ page : IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Scores Academic writing task 1 is a report on a chart (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram/process).
In your task, you are given three points to cover and you must include details of all three points in your letter. You should aim to write around 150 words in the letter. IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 example scenario Here are examples of two IELTS General Training Writing part 1 tasks. Formal/Semi-Formal Write about the following topic:
The main skill you have to master for IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training is writing different kinds of letters. You can see from the table below that how formal the letter is depends on the situation and your relationship with the reader. A request letter written to a friend or to a stranger will be very different. Openings: A Clear Purpose
Pro Tips to Enhance Your General IELTS Writing Task 1 Letter. First of all, identify the type of the letter i.e. formal/semi-formal/informal. Identify the purpose of the letter. Read the instructions carefully so that you address all parts of the question. Decide the opening of the letter i.e. how to greet.
The IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 assesses your ability to communicate effectively through letter writing. It requires you to write a letter to a person, company, or institution, and it measures your ability to communicate about practical issues.To succeed in this task, it's important to understand the different types of letters, their structures, and their purposes.
For the IELTS General Writing Task 1, you are presented with a situation around a general interest topic, and you are asked to write a letter in response to this situation . It may be either formal, semi-formal, or informal. You are given three points of interest that you must cover in the letter with as much detail as you can.
Learn how to write a letter for IELTS General Writing Task 1, a task that requires you to write a formal, semi-formal or informal letter of at least 150 words. Find tips on how to structure, plan and write your letter, and see examples of different types of letters and sample letters.
1- Step 1, Analyzing the Question - What is the topic? Find it out by underlining the key words in the question. The course director of your previous college has invited you to attend a party for new students, and he has also asked you to give a talk about studying overseas.
In Writing task 1, your letter should be grammatically correct and have uncommon words, in the right context. If you are not sure about the spelling of the words you want to use in your letter, prefer using common words. Use different linking words to convey your ideas or messages. Lastly, make sure you write the letter's opening and closing ...
IELTS General Writing Task 1: Letter Sample Answers. General. To understand the test format of the IELTS Writing Task, it is useful to study samples of successful answers. Pay attention to the structure of the letter; what words and grammatical constructions are used. In this task you can write formal and informal words and expressions.
IELTS general writing task 1 sample: You will be graduating from university and would like to invite your family to the ceremony. Write a letter of invitation to your parents. In the letter: - Explain that you have completed your studies. - Give details of the event, including time, date and dress code.
Important information about IELTS General Writing Task 1. General writing task 1 takes the form of a letter. Here candidates are asked to respond to a complaint, request information or explain a certain situation. You should spend no more than 20 mins on this test and you should write at least 150 words. Task 1 forms 33% of your total writing mark
This is the first section of the IELTS General Training Writing test. You should spend about 20 minutes on it. Write about the following topic: Task 1. You have lost an item of value on a train. Write a letter to the railway company. In your letter. describe the item; explain where and when you left it; say what action you would like the ...
Once you have thought out your answer, you should write a letter with the following structure: First paragraph. Briefly give reasons for writing a letter. Middle. Issue 1. Write about each issue you were given in a task. Issue 2. Issue 3. Last paragraph.
The IELTS General Writing Task 1 is conducted to measure your ability to communicate about common issues. Candidates will be given 20 minutes to write a letter to a person, company, or organization. The candidate's response to the question is worth about 30% of the total writing score. Please suggest some tips for the IELTS General Writing ...
IDP vs British Council for IELTS; Writing. IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. PIE CHART IELTS; Describe a map IELTS; How to USE percentages; Describe a flow chart; describe a Bar Chart; Line Graph Sample; How to describe a map; Get band 9 in Academic Task 1; IELTS General Writing Task 1. IELTS General Task 1 Structure; How to write an informal ...
Begin your letter as follows: A formal letter contains: Longer sentences that use passive language (be + past participle) Modals (e.g. The broken light needs to be fixed to ensure that the customers who use this facility have adequate visibility of their surroundings.) An informal letter is: Conversational
Section 3: contains the longest text, which is more detailed about a general interest topic. Writing You will also have 60 minutes to complete this part of the exam. It is breakdown as follows: Task 1: you will be asked to write a letter in response to a situation presented to you. This should be 150 words long.
Can you explain why the five phrases in this lesson are informal?
With the guidance provided in this post, you will learn how to describe process diagrams for a variety of IELTS Writing Task 1 topics in a complete and coherent manner to maximize your writing score. Follow along to gain the knowledge and tools to effectively tackle process diagram questions on test day.
IELTS Writing Task 1 includes an introduction, body, & conclusion to assist applicants in achieving a good score in the writing section. Candidates must go through IELTS Writing practice papers to become familiar with a wide range of themes like Table Below Shows The Monthly Expenditure Of An Average Australian Family IELTS Writing Task 1 ...
The final feature to look at in IELTS General Training, Writing Task 1 is the format of your letter. A letter needs to be written using a proper format, including the following: A greeting (Dear sir/madam, Dear John, Dear Mr. Smith) The main body (consisting of paragraphs for each part of the letter)