The IELTS writing test contains two writing tasks: task one and task two. Task one could either be writing a report as in academic task one, or writing a letter as in the general training task one. Here we are discussing the general training writing task one.

This is an example from the British Council Take IELTS website.

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.

The point of the general training task one is to make sure that you know the register, which refers to the level of formality of your writing. 

There are main three registers: formal, neutral, and informal register. So, in the General Training IELTS Writing Task One, there are three types of letters you have to master their language.

Before we go further, you don’t need to write any contact details, nor should you write any addresses. 

Let us see the band descriptors for band 7.

• Task Achievement

• • The response covers the requirements of the task.
  • The content is relevant and accurate – there may be a few omissions or lapses.
  • The format is appropriate.
  • All bullet points are covered and clearly highlighted but could be more fully or more appropriately illustrated or extended. It presents a clear purpose. The tone is consistent and appropriate to the task. Any lapses are minimal

• Coherence and Cohesion

• • Information and ideas are logically organized and there is a clear progression throughout the response. A few lapses may occur.
  • A range of cohesive devices including reference and substitution is used flexibly but with some inaccuracies or some over/under use

• Lexical Resource

• • The resource is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision.
  • There is some ability to use less common and/or idiomatic items.
  • An awareness of style and collocation is evident, though inappropriacies occur.
  • There are only a few errors in spelling and/or word formation, and they do not detract from overall clarity.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
  • A variety of complex structures is used with some flexibility and accuracy.
  • Grammar and punctuation are generally well-controlled, and error-free sentences are frequent.
  • A few errors in grammar may persist, but these do not impede communication.

This means you have to write in the right register, right vocabulary, and complex structure. We, also, recommend you write at least 170 words and a maximum of 200 words.

Always begin your letter as follows:

Dear …. 

How to decide on whether your writing should be formal, semi-formal, or informal is essential for succeeding at task one in the general training test. 

We decide on the register from the early beginning of our writing.

• You write an informal letter when you address a friend. 

Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport. (Cambridge 17, Test 1, Task 1)

Here, you start as follows:

Dear Lily,

• You write a semi-formal letter when you know the person you are addressing but the relationship between you two isn’t as casual as the one you have with a friend.

The parents of your Australian friend Chris have invited you to a surprise birthday party for him/her. (Cambridge 17, Test 2, Task 1)

Here, you start as follows:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,

• You write a formal letter when you do not know the person you are addressing. 

You recently booked a part-time course at a college. You now need to cancel your booking. (Cambridge 17, Test 3, Task 1)

Here, you start as follows:

Dear Sir/Madam,

There are three bullet points to cover in your writing; you should always cover them all. 

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.

How to answer?

1. The opening contains a greeting and a brief statement of the purpose of your writing.

Dear Laila,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for agreeing to take care of my house and pet while I’m away on holiday. Your help means a great deal to me, and I truly appreciate it.

2. The second paragraph is to cover bullet point number one. 

While I’m away, you can reach me via email, or on my mobile phone. You already have both of them. Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions or need assistance as I will always make time to take your call, or reply promptly to your email. 

3. The third paragraph is concerned with bullet point number 2. 

Regarding the care of my beloved pet, Fluffy, I’ve left detailed instructions and supplies in the kitchen. Fluffy is accustomed to being fed twice a day, once in the morning and another in the evening. Please make sure that Fluffy has fresh water at all times and that you take him for a walk in the park every afternoon for his exercise. He would be quiet after his walk, and this usually helps him have a good night’s sleep without waking you up to play with him in the middle of the night.

4. The fourth paragraph handles bullet point number four.

When it comes to taking care of my home, please remember to water the plants in the living room daily. The newspaper can get accumulated in the mailbox, so kindly bring them in. You would also need to take the trash out every two days. Before you go to sleep, ensure that the security alarm is on; there has been a rise in break-ins in the neighborhood lately. I trust you completely take care of everything and keep yourself, Fluffy and the house safe and sound.

Warm regards,

Tips for Writing the Letter:

1. Read the prompt carefully.

2. Always state the purpose of your writing early on: I’m writing to complain/thank/ask/respond …

3. Use the right register for the specific task you have.

4. Be clear and concise; do not repeat yourself.

5. Use a wide range of vocabulary; do not repeat words from the prompt.

6. Write in advanced complex structure.

7. Make no mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

8. You could use contractions in the semi-formal and informal writing, but not in the formal writing.