Writing tool
IELTS General Task 1 — letter templates
Match the register to the recipient. The opening and closing lines tell the examiner you understand tone — that alone protects your Task Achievement score.
IELTS
Register at a glance
| Register | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Formal (manager / unknown) | Dear Sir or Madam, | Yours faithfully, Full name |
| Semi-formal (known by name) | Dear Mr / Ms Smith, | Yours sincerely, Full name |
| Informal (friend / family) | Dear Maria, | Best wishes, First name |
Formal — opening phrases
Reason for writing
- • I am writing to complain about …
- • I am writing to enquire about …
- • I am writing in connection with …
Polite requests
- • I would be grateful if you could …
- • I would appreciate it if you would …
- • Could you please advise me on …
Informal — opening phrases
Friendly openers
- • I hope you are doing well!
- • It has been ages since we last caught up.
- • How is everything on your side?
Reason
- • I'm writing because I have some exciting news!
- • Just a quick note to say …
- • I wanted to ask you something …
Bullet checklist for any Task 1 letter
- Address all three bullet points in the prompt — equal time on each.
- Use one paragraph per bullet — not one long block.
- Keep tone consistent from opening to closing.
- Word count is 150 minimum — aim 170–190.
- Sign off with the matching register.
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