IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: A Friendly Guide

Welcome to IELTS General Training Writing Task 1!

In this part of the IELTS test, you will be asked to write a letter in response to a given situation. This letter could be personal, semi-formal, or formal, depending on the context. Choosing the right tone is very important.

Your writing will be assessed based on four equally weighted criteria:

• Task Achievement
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

While Task 1 is important, remember that Task 2 carries more weight in your overall Writing score.

You will have 20 minutes to complete this task, and you should aim for at least 150 words in your letter. So, managing your time wisely is key!

Your Task

Let’s get into a sample task so you can see exactly what’s expected.

You are going on a business trip for a week and you need someone to look after your house and your plants. A friend has agreed to help you out.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Provide the contact details in case of an emergency while you’re away.
• Give instructions on how to take care of your plants.
• Describe any other tasks around the house that you would like your friend to handle during your absence.

Before we look at example responses, let’s first understand how to approach this task carefully.

How to Approach IELTS General Training Writing Task 1

Task Achievement

• Fully address all three parts: contact details, plant care, and other house tasks.
• Give clear and detailed instructions for each point.
• Don’t leave out any important information.

Coherence & Cohesion

• Organize the letter logically — group similar ideas together (e.g., all plant care details in one paragraph).
• Use linking words and phrases like “In case of emergency”, “Additionally”, and “As for the plants” to create smooth transitions.
• Keep the flow natural and avoid repetition.

Lexical Resource

• Use a wide range of vocabulary — be specific and natural (e.g., “water the plants every two days”, “take out the trash”).
• Avoid repeating the same words — use synonyms where appropriate.
• Minor spelling or word formation mistakes should be rare and not interfere with understanding.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

• Use a variety of sentence structures — include imperative sentences for instructions and conditional sentences for emergencies.
• Ensure punctuation and grammar are correct throughout.
• Use complex sentences effectively with minimal errors.

Key Strategy

• Start with clear contact details for emergencies — provide a phone number or email and instructions for how to reach you if needed.
• Next, give detailed care instructions for the plants — how often to water them, how much light they need, and any special care tips.
• Finally, list any other tasks — such as collecting the mail, taking out the trash, or signing for packages. Be clear about what needs to be done and when.

By following this structured approach, you’ll be able to write a clear, detailed letter that meets the task requirements.

Sample Band 6 Response

Let’s first look at a response that scored Band 6. As you read, pay attention to the clarity and level of detail.

Dear Eric,

I hope you are doing well! As you know, I will be away on a business trip for a week, and I am very grateful that you have agreed to look after my house and plants. I’ve written down a few instructions to make things easier for you.

First, in case of any emergency, you can reach me at my mobile number: 937-891-3331. Alternatively, you can email me at lgraham@yahoo.com if you need anything. If something urgent happens at home, don’t hesitate to contact the neighbor, Ben at 937-552-7791.

For the plants, please water them every two days. The potted plants in the living room need a little more water, so make sure they are well hydrated. The ones in the garden should be fine with a little less water, but still check them regularly. Just make sure not to overwater, as that can be harmful.

In terms of house tasks, could you please bring in the mail every day and check that all windows are closed in the evening? I also have a few packages arriving on Tuesday, so it would be great if you could sign for them if I’m not home. Other than that, everything else should be fine, but let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks again for helping out. I really appreciate it!

Best regards,
Henry

Sample Band 9 Response

Now, let’s read a Band 9 response. Notice the vocabulary, structure, and how naturally the ideas flow.

Dear Ruth,

I hope this message finds you well. Thank you so much for agreeing to look after my house and plants while I am away on my business trip next week. I truly appreciate your help, and I have outlined a few important details to make the process as smooth as possible.

In case of any emergencies, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly on my mobile at 937-891-3331. Alternatively, you can email me at edith.lampard@yahoo.com for non-urgent matters. Additionally, if you are unable to reach me, Ben, my neighbor, will be available to assist. His number is 937-552-7791.

For the plants, I kindly ask that you water them every two days. The ones in the living room tend to dry out faster, so please give them a bit more water, ensuring the soil is moist but not overly saturated. For the garden plants, a lighter watering should suffice, but do keep an eye on them, particularly if the weather is warm. If you’re unsure about any of them, feel free to reach out.

As for the house, it would be great if you could bring in the mail daily and ensure that all windows are securely closed in the evenings. I am also expecting a couple of packages to arrive on Tuesday, so your help in signing for them would be greatly appreciated. Beyond that, everything else should be straightforward, but please let me know if you encounter any issues or have any questions.

Thank you once again for your kindness and support. I feel much more at ease knowing that everything is in your capable hands.

Best regards,
Edith

Comparing Band 6 and Band 9 Responses

What’s Similar Between Band 6 and Band 9?

Even though Band 6 and Band 9 are scored differently, both responses share some positive features:

• Addressing all three bullet points: Both letters include clear information about emergency contact details, instructions for plant care, and other household tasks. This shows a good understanding of the task requirements.
• Polite, friendly tone: Each letter maintains a polite and warm tone, which is important because the task involves writing to a friend. Showing gratitude and being respectful helps set the right mood for the letter.
• Clear structure: Both letters follow a logical structure with an introduction to greet the friend, a body that explains the details, and a closing paragraph to wrap up politely. Good structure helps the reader understand the message easily.
• Clarity of instructions: The instructions in both letters are generally clear and easy to follow. For example, both writers explain how often to water the plants and what other household chores need to be done, like bringing in the mail or checking the windows.

Key Differences: Why Band 9 Scores Higher

Summary of Key Differences

While both letters meet the basic requirements, the Band 9 response is much more polished and advanced. Let’s break it down clearly:

• Smoother, more natural transitions: The ideas flow logically, helping the reader move from one point to the next without confusion.
• Richer vocabulary without repetition: Using varied language shows greater fluency and makes the letter more interesting to read.
• Greater grammatical flexibility and accuracy: Complex sentences are used correctly and naturally, without awkward phrasing or small mistakes.
• More detailed and specific instructions: Every point is fully explained with examples and clear directions, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

In simple terms, the Band 9 writer shows stronger control over language, structure, and tone. This level of precision and clarity is exactly what examiners are looking for when awarding high scores.

🪞Reflection

Take a moment to reflect:

• What specific improvements did you notice between Band 6 and Band 9?
• How can you apply these improvements to your own writing?
• What strategies will you focus on to boost your coherence, vocabulary, and grammar?

Remember, becoming a stronger writer is about practice and attention to detail. With consistent effort, you can definitely reach your target score!