IELTS Writing Task 1 – General Training Letter Templates Builder

Understanding Formal, Semi-formal, and Informal Letters

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, the examiner is not only checking grammar and vocabulary. They are also checking whether your tone is appropriate for the situation. If the tone is too friendly for an official complaint, or too stiff for a letter to a close friend, your score for Task Achievement and Coherence and Cohesion can drop.

When to use a formal letter template

Use a formal letter when you are writing to a company, organisation, or a person you do not know personally. The language is polite, impersonal, and professional. You avoid contractions such as don’t and use full forms like do not.

• Complaining about a product or service
• Applying for a job or a course
• Requesting information from a company or agency
• Making a formal request or suggestion to an authority

When to use a semi-formal letter template

Semi-formal letters are used when you know the person, but the situation still requires politeness. Typical examples include writing to a neighbour, teacher, or colleague. The language is friendly but still respectful. You can use some contractions, but avoid slang.

When to use an informal letter template

Informal letters are sent to friends and family. The main goal is natural, friendly communication. You can use contractions and idiomatic expressions, but you should still write clearly and avoid very strong slang. The examiner wants to see whether you can control informal language without losing clarity.

Band 9 Template Framework for GT Task 1

The template builder on this page follows a simple 4-part structure that works for almost every GT Task 1 question. You can adapt it to any situation by changing the details while keeping the overall paragraph plan.

Core 4-part structure

• Opening: Greeting + purpose of the letter
• Body Paragraph 1: First bullet point with explanation
• Body Paragraph 2: Second bullet point with examples or solutions
• Closing: Final request or expectation + sign-off

If the task has three bullet points, you can often combine two smaller points into the same body paragraph. What matters most is that each bullet point is clearly addressed and not ignored.

Sample Band 9-style formal letter

The following example illustrates how the template builder can guide you from plan to full answer. The exact wording will depend on the task, but the structure stays consistent.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about the constant noise coming from the restaurant below my flat every evening.

Firstly, the music is extremely loud and continues until after midnight on most days. As a result, it has become very difficult for my family to sleep, especially for my young children who have school early in the morning.

In addition, customers often stand outside the restaurant smoking and talking loudly. They block the entrance to our building and leave rubbish on the pavement, which makes the area dirty and unpleasant for residents.

I would be grateful if you could investigate this matter and ensure that the restaurant follows local noise regulations. I would also appreciate it if you could ask the owner to remind customers to behave considerately.

Yours faithfully,

John Smith

Common Mistakes in GT Task 1 Letters

1. Wrong tone for the situation

Many candidates write in a friendly tone to a manager or use formal phrases with a close friend. This confuses the examiner and suggests you have not fully understood the context.

• Use formal language for companies and unknown people.
• Use informal language only for friends and family.
• Check whether the task uses a first name ( Dear John ) or a title ( Dear Mr Brown ).

2. Ignoring one of the bullet points

Skipping a bullet point is one of the fastest ways to lose marks for Task Achievement. The template builder prevents this by giving you a separate space for each main idea so you can check nothing is missing.

3. Writing too many or too few words

Writing fewer than 150 words is a serious problem. Writing more than 220–230 words can also create difficulties because you are more likely to make mistakes and run out of time for Task 2. The summary panel on this page helps you stay inside the safe 160–190 word range.

Exam Strategy: Linking Templates with Real Practice

Step-by-step practice plan

1. Choose a real GT Task 1 question from a Cambridge or official source.
2. Select the correct letter type in the builder: formal, semi-formal, or informal.
3. Fill in the Opening, Body 1, Body 2, and Closing planning boxes with bullet notes.
4. Check the phrase bank and add one or two phrases where they fit naturally.
5. Write your full letter using your notes, keeping an eye on the word count.
6. Use the AI feedback button or another checker to get a quick band estimate.

How templates improve coherence and cohesion

When you use a consistent 4-part structure, your ideas are easier to follow. The examiner can see your purpose, development, and closing clearly. This makes it easier to award higher bands for Coherence and Cohesion, as your letter feels organised rather than random.

Key rules to remember

• Always identify the relationship with the reader before choosing the tone.
• Use one main function per paragraph (explain, describe, request, apologise).
• Recycle flexible phrases rather than full sentences from model answers.
• Leave 2–3 minutes at the end to correct obvious grammar and spelling errors.

With a solid template and regular timed practice, General Training Task 1 becomes one of the most predictable parts of the IELTS exam. Use this builder to take control of letter tone, structure, and timing so you can focus fully on Task 2 and your overall band goal.