How to start Writing Task 1 (General)

Types of Question

Complaint (Usually formal)
Application (Usually formal)
Invitation (Usually informal)
Advice (Usually informal)
Apology (Both)
Request (Both)
Informing (Usually formal)
Appreciation (Both)
Recommendation (Both)

Letters can be formal, semi-formal or informal.

To determine which type of letter it is, understand who you are talking to and what is the most appropriate way to talk to that person.

Example Questions

Key Info

Time: 20 minutes

Word Requirement: 150 words (Aim for 170-190 words)

Number of Paragraphs: Usually 4 or 5 (An opening paragraph, 2-3 body paragraphs and a closing paragraph)

Scoring: Task 1 is worth 33% of your writing mark. The examiner will mark you based on: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Vocabulary and Grammar.

Structure

1st Paragraph: Opening ParagrapH (Explain why you’re writing)

2nd Paragraph: Give details answering one of the bullet points

3rd Paragraph: Give details answering one of the bullet points

4th Paragraph (If needed): Give details answering one of the bullet points

5th Paragraph (If needed): Give details answering one of the bullet points

Final Line: Sign off your letter

Sample Answer

Quick Tips

1) TONE is key

Make sure your tone (attitude or the emotional stance that the writer conveys through their choice of words, syntax, and structure) is appropriate.

2) Cover ALL the bullet Points

If you miss one or don’t cover it in sufficient detail, your score will take a serious hit!

3) Make it Clear

Organise your work into logical paragraphs and use linking devices (however, additionally etc) where necessary, so that it’s easy for the examiner to follow.

opening Para Tips

Examples

Good V Bad Opening Paragraphs

Main Paragraph Tips

Good V Bad Samples

Sign-off Tips

Match the tone: Ensure the sign-off aligns with the tone of the letter. For example, don’t use “Love” in a formal letter.

2. Be concise: Stick to conventional endings; creativity isn’t needed here.

3. Use proper punctuation: Follow your chosen sign-off with a comma.

Formal, Semi-formal & Informal Sign-offs

1st 2 Mins: i) Read & Understand the question ii) Brainstorm ideas and plan your paragraphs.
16 Mins: Write
Final 2 Mins: Check/ Upgrade your work (Correct Spelling, Good Linking, Appropriate vocabulary, Punctuation etc).

You have a problem with a recently hired employee in your workplace. Write a letter to the HR manager. In your letter:

Describe the problem the new employee has caused
Explain how other employees about the new employee’s conduct
Say how you expect the HR manager to address the situation.

You currently live in a rental apartment, and the noise from your neighbours disturbs you. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter

describe how this situation affects you;
explain what steps you have taken to address the problem;
ask the landlord to take action to resolve the issue.

Your next door neighbour owns a small dog that barks throughout the day and the night. Write a letter to your neighbour requesting that something be done about the dog. Include in your letter:

Your reason for writing
What you would like to happen
A nice, respectful style.

You are a member of a sports centre and you have noticed a problem which has not been fixed for some time. Write a letter to the manager of the gym. In your letter

tell the manager about the problem
explain how this issue is affecting your experience at the gym
tell the manager what you would like to happen

You recently took a trip with a taxi company. The driver behaved in an unacceptable way and you had a lot of problems. You complained to the company but no one has replied to your complaint. Write a letter to the taxi company. In your letter

say why you are writing and how you feel
explain what happened
tell them what you would like them to do.

You recently discovered that there are plans to build a new airport in your area and you are not happy with it. Write a letter to the local authority. In your letter,

Say how you found out about the plans
Explain what problems your neighbourhood will face
Suggest some possible solutions to those problems.

A neighbour has damaged your car while parking his/her car in the lane in front of your house. Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter:

Explain why you’re writing
Describe the damage to your car and express your feelings about it
Recommend what steps he/she should take to resolve the situation

You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it did not work. You phoned the shop but no action was taken. Write a letter to the shop manager. In your letter:

describe the problem with the equipment
explain what happened when you phoned the shop
say what you would like the manager to do

You bought a piece of furniture from a store in another town recently. There is a problem with the item you purchased. Write a letter to the store manager. In your letter

explain the details of your purchase
describe the problem that you have with it
suggest what can be done about it

A restaurant has placed an advertisement for waiters and waitresses in your local newspaper. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write a letter to the restaurant, applying for the job. In your letter:

explain what you are currently doing
describe your suitability for this area of work
say when you can attend an interview.

A museum near your house is looking for people to do part-time voluntary/unpaid work. You would like to do some voluntary/unpaid work at the museum. Write a letter to the museum director to apply for voluntary/unpaid work in your letter:

Explain why you want to do voluntary/unpaid work at the museum
Describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful
Give details of when you would be available for work

You recently saw an advertisement in a newspaper seeking volunteers to do unpaid work with local children. You are interested in this work. Write a letter to the head of the organisation. In your letter

express your interest
ask for details of the work that needs to be done
let them know when you are available.

You would like to invite your friend from abroad to a public event in your country. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

describe the public event
explain why you think he/she would like the event
write how you can help your friend with accommodation

Your friend recently moved to the same town where your friend lives. Please write a letter to invite your friend to go to the gym together. In your letter

describe why you go to this gym
say what part of this gym you recommend
explain why you think it is suitable for your friend

You are planning to take a vacation. Write a letter to a friend. In your letter:

describe the vacation spot you have chosen
explain how you plan to spend your time there
invite your friend to join you on your vacation.

You have just won two tickets to a concert and want to invite your friend to go with you. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:

give details about the concert
describe how you won the tickets
explain why you’ve chosen your friend to go with you.

You recently received a letter from a friend asking for your advice on whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/ she should get a job. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

say why she will not enjoy going to college
explain why getting a job is a good idea
Suggest the type of job that would be suitable.

You recently bought an electronic gadget for home purposes. Your friend wants the same gadget and needs your advice. In this letter you should include:

What is this gadget
What do you think about it
Give advice about other alternatives your friend can buy

A friend you made while you were studying abroad has written to ask you for help in finding a job in your country. You have heard about a job in a local company that might be suitable for him/her. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter –

tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves
say why you think the job would be suitable for him/her
explain how to apply for the job

You have recently missed a project deadline which resulted in your company losing an important client. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

apologise for what happened
explain why you missed the deadline
tell him/her how you will avoid this situation in future.

You recently stayed at your friend’s place, to look after the house while he/she is away. You accidentally damaged something in his/her house. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, you should:

describe what the accident was
explain when it happened
suggest how the damage can be fixed.

You had some photos of your family taken by a professional photographer. Write a letter to the photographer. In your letter:

Say that you liked their photos of your family
Ask them to be your photographer at a special family event
Give them the details of the event.

You have moved to another city but your bank has your old address and continues to send all communication there. Write a letter to your bank branch. In the letter, mention:

Where have you moved to?
What problem are you facing regarding the bank’s communication?
What you want them to do regarding old communication already sent to the wrong address?

You are going to teach English to your friend’s child. Write a letter to your past English teacher to ask if you can borrow some books from him/her. In your letter

tell your teacher about the child;
say when and where you will teach the child;
explain what books you would like to borrow.

You are taking a course at a local college. The deadline for your project was last week but you haven’t finished it. Write a letter to your lecturer. In your letter

introduce yourself
explain why you haven’t handed in the project yet
request more time to do it.

You recently sent some documents by post, but they did not arrive. Write a letter to the post manager. In your letter

Give details of the situation
Describe the documents
Say what action you want the post office to take.

You work for an international company and you need some time off to attend a family celebration. Write a letter to the company’s manager. In your letter:

give details of the celebration
explain the reason why you need time off
suggest a way to have your work done during that time.

You have just moved into a new home and are planning to hold a party. You are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbour. Write a letter to your neighbour. You do NOT need to write any addresses. You should write at least 150 words. In your letter

introduce yourself
describe your plans for the party
invite your neighbour to come

An English-speaking friend has written to you to ask you how your studies are going. Write a letter to the friend:

tell your friend how you are preparing for the exam.
tell him/her how you feel about it.
tell him your expectations.

Your ID card has been stolen. Write to the Local Police Station, giving details of

who you are
what happened
ask what you should do to get a new ID card

You have an appointment with your manager the next day. Write him/her a letter about what you’re going to discuss at the meeting. In your meeting, you should tell:

What did you do for the company during the years you worked there
What changes you would like to recommend
What training you require

You live near a public school. The school asked local residents to help maintain the school building and playground. Write a letter to the principal. In your letter:

Explain why you would like to help
Tell them how you can help
Let them know when you are available

You have an upcoming meeting with your manager to discuss your performance in the past year. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:

Describe your achievements in the past year
Say what areas/skills you need to improve on
Suggest a plan to improve those skills/areas

A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called ‘the book that influenced me most”. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influences you most. In your letter,

describe what this book was about,
explain how this book influenced you,
say whether this book would be likely to influence other people

Recently you saw an article in a newspaper/journal about a city/town you know and some of the information in the article was incorrect. Write a letter to the editor regarding this. In your letter, you should tell:

how you know about this city/town
what information was incorrect
what the editor should do about this.

You are renting a house in an English-speaking country, and the landlord has been helpful during your stay. Now your friend is interested in renting your place. Please write a letter to your landlord to inform your friend that you will be moving out. In your letter

tell your landlord that you are leaving and explain why
thank your landlord for being helpful
recommend your friend as a prospective tenant.

You and some friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were very pleased with the food and services. Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter

Give details of your visit to the restaurant
Explain the reason for the celebration
Say what was good about the food and the services

You recently went to a concert and thought one of the singers was very good. You want to tell him how you feel. write a letter to the singer:

say how you feel about his performance
give details of your musical activities
explain how you would like him to help you with your musical activities.

After being involved in an accident, you were looked after by a person you did not know before. Write a special thank you letter. In your letter:

Introduce yourself and let him/her know why you are writing to him/her
Express your gratitude
Offer him/her to visit your home with his/her family

You are moving home. Write a letter to your neighbours to say goodbye to them and to thank them for their help during your stay. In your letter

explain how they helped you
say what you will miss the most about the area where you lived
invite them to visit you at your new home.

One of your friends wants to apply for a job at a summer school camp as a sports trainer. Write a letter to the camp manager to recommend your friend. In your letter:

say how well you know your friend
describe the qualifications and experience that your friend has
explain why your friend would be suitable for this job.