IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 – teacher’s notes

Description
An activity that introduces task 1 through analysing formality of language and standard letter layout and then
gives practice in writing an answer

Time required: 60 minutes plus

Additional  none
materials
required:
Aims:  to raise awareness of levels of formality in letter-writing expressions
 to brainstorm a sample task 1
 to analyse a sample answer by examining letter layout
 to write a task 1 answer

Procedure
1. Ask students what they have to do in task 1. (They need to write an informal, semi-formal or formal
personal letter of at least 150 words.)
2. Write ‘informal’ and ‘formal’ on the board. Ask students to discuss in pairs what these words mean
using examples from real life, and any language associated with each. Point out that for ‘semi-formal’
situations, it is better to use formal language still as this is polite.
3. Whole-class feedback and discussion.
4. Hand out worksheet 1. Students work through it individually, then check in pairs.
5. Whole-class check.
6. Explain that for task 1, candidates need to use the appropriate level of formality of language in a
letter. Ask if any of them have ever written a letter in English and if so, who to and why?
7. Hand out the sample task. Elicit how formal it should be and why. Tell students that they must include
all the bullet points in their answers or they will be penalised. Students brainstorm in pairs some ideas
about what they could write about each bullet point.
8. Change the pairs. Students exchange ideas.

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 9. Hand out the sample answer on part 1 of worksheet 2. Tell students to ignore the numbers for the
moment, to read the letter and then discuss with a partner if they think it is a good answer and why.
Point out that in IELTS they do not need to write any addresses. Remind students what the
assessment criteria are (task achievement; coherence and cohesion; lexical resource; and
grammatical range and accuracy).
N.B. This is a model answer and would receive a band 9 mark as it fully meets all the assessment
criteria.
10. Ask students to do part 2 of the worksheet. Students match the numbers with the labels A–J.
11. Hold a class discussion about the letter: the functions and positions of the labels, the formality of the
language used and the content.
12. Ask students to write their own version for homework, using some of the expressions they saw earlier.

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 IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 – answer keys

Key to Worksheet 1

Formal/
Informal
semi-formal
Letter openings Thanks for your letter.

It was great to get your letter.

Thank you for sending me your brochure.

I’m writing to ask you a favour.

My reason for writing is to apply for the job I saw

advertised.

Sorry for not writing for so long.

I must apologise for not contacting you sooner.

Unfortunately, I am writing to complain about the ...

I am writing with reference to your letter …

Signalling the end I must go now.

of a letter
I look forward to hearing from you.

I’ll finish now as I’m running out of space.

Bye for now

If you have any further questions, please contact

me again.

Letter closings Yours faithfully

Hope to hear from you soon

Yours sincerely

Best wishes * *
* Speakers of English would almost certainly disagree about the formality/ informality of this.

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use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 – Student’s Worksheet
Worksheet 1

For the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 you are asked to write an informal, semi-formal or formal
letter. Tick the correct column(s) for each letter expression below according to its level of formality. One
expression could be used in a semi-formal or an informal letter.

Formal/
Informal
semi-formal

Letter openings Thanks for your letter.

It was great to get your letter.

Thank you for sending me your brochure.

I’m writing to ask you a favour.

My reason for writing is to apply for the job I saw

advertised.

Sorry for not writing for so long.

I must apologise for not contacting you sooner.

Unfortunately, I am writing to complain about the ...

I am writing with reference to your letter …

Signalling the end I must go now.

of a letter
I look forward to hearing from you.

I’ll finish now as I’m running out of space.

Bye for now

If you have any further questions, please contact

me again.

Letter closings Yours faithfully

Hope to hear from you soon

Yours sincerely

Best wishes

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 – Sample Task

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However, there are many
problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to work.
Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In the letter
• describe the situation
• explain your problems and why it is difficult to work
• say what kind of accommodation you would prefer.

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

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use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions