IELTS General Training Informal Letter (Writing Task 1)

What is the informalletter task?

In the General Training module, Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter of 150words. You will be given a situation and three bullet points that you must address. The letter can be personal (informal), semiformal, or formal depending on the relationship with the recipient.

When to choose the informal style

An informal letter is appropriate when you are writing to a friend, a family member, or a close acquaintance. The tone should be friendly, relaxed and conversational, but it must still be organized and clear.

Structure of a good informal letter

1. Salutation Dear name, or simply Hi name,
2. Opening paragraph thank the reader (if relevant) and state the purpose of your letter.
3. Body paragraphs develop each bullet point in its own paragraph or combine related points.
4. Closing paragraph wrap up, express hopes, or invite a reply.
5. Signoff Best wishes, Take care, Love, etc., followed by your name.

Key language features

• Contractions (dont, Im, well) to sound natural.
• Everyday vocabulary (great, awesome, catch up, etc.).
• Exclamations and emotive words when appropriate.
• Personal pronouns (I, you, we) dominate the text.
• Informal linking words: by the way, actually, anyway, speaking of

Common mistakes to avoid

Sample question

You have recently moved to a new city. Write a letter to your best friend back home. In your letter:

• Tell your friend about the new place you live in.
• Explain what you like most about the city.
• Invite them to visit you.

Model answer (170words)

How to plan quickly (2minute plan)

1. Read the task. Highlight the three points.
2. Decide the order usually start with a greeting, then address each bullet in separate paragraphs, finish with a friendly closing.
3. Jot down a few key words for each paragraph (e.g., flat + balcony, surf + market, invite + dates).
4. Keep an eye on word count aim for 170180 words to stay safe.

Scoring criteria

The examiner marks the task on four bands:

• Task achievement all three points are covered and the purpose is clear.
• Coherence and cohesion logical flow, appropriate paragraphing, and clear linking.
• Lexical resource range of informal vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and collocations.
• Grammatical range and accuracy varied sentence structures, correct tense usage, and minimal errors.

Practice ideas

• Write 5 letters on different topics and swap with a study partner for feedback.
• Record yourself reading the letter aloud; natural rhythm often reveals awkward phrasing.
• Use a timer 20 minutes for planning and writing is ideal for exam conditions.
• Review authentic emails or messages from friends for phrasing ideas.

Final checklist

1. Did I address all three bullet points?
2. Is the tone suitably informal?
3. Are there at least two paragraphs in the body?
4. Did I use contractions and everyday expressions?
5. Word count between 150200?
6. No major spelling or grammar slips?

Mastering the informal letter is about striking a balance between being friendly and staying organized. With consistent practice and a clear plan, youll be able to produce a naturalsounding, wellstructured response that meets every IELTS criterion.