Mastering Task Achievement in IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training: Your Complete Letter Writing Guide

Task Achievement in IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 is fundamentally different from the Academic version. Instead of describing visual data, you’ll be writing letters to communicate specific purposes. Understanding how to excel in this criterion is essential for achieving your target band score, as it accounts for 25% of your overall Task 1 grade. You can watch this YouTube video explainer by IELTS Guide Phil.

What is Task Achievement in General Training?

Task Achievement in General Training measures how effectively you fulfill the purpose of your letter and address all the bullet points given in the task. It evaluates your ability to:

Achieve the purpose of the letter (complain, request, apply, etc.)
Address all three bullet points completely
Use appropriate tone and style for the context
Present ideas in a logical, well-organized manner

Band Score Requirements for Task Achievement

Band 9

Fully addresses all requirements of the task
Clearly presents a fully developed response
Addresses all three bullet points comprehensively
Maintains consistent and appropriate tone throughout

Band 7-8

Addresses all requirements of the task sufficiently
Presents a clear purpose throughout the letter
Covers all bullet points adequately with relevant development
Maintains generally appropriate tone

Band 5-6

Addresses the task requirements generally
Achieves the main purpose but may lack development in some areas
Covers most bullet points but some may be unclear or inadequate
Tone may be inconsistent or not always appropriate

Band 3-4

Attempts to address the task but may confuse the purpose
Addresses some bullet points but may miss important elements
Lacks clarity in achieving the letter’s purpose
Inappropriate or inconsistent tone

Types of Letters in General Training

1. Formal Letters

When to use: Writing to organizations, companies, government bodies, or unknown individuals Examples: Complaint letters, job applications, official requests Tone: Professional, polite, respectful

2. Semi-formal Letters

When to use: Writing to people you know professionally but not personally Examples: Letters to teachers, colleagues, neighbors you don’t know well Tone: Friendly but respectful, neither too casual nor too formal

3. Informal Letters

When to use: Writing to friends, family members, or close acquaintances Examples: Thank you letters to friends, invitations, personal updates Tone: Casual, warm, personal

Essential Components for High Task Achievement

1. Clear Purpose Statement

Your opening should immediately establish why you’re writing:

Formal Example: “I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received at your restaurant last Saturday evening.”

Semi-formal Example: “I am writing to ask if you would be interested in renting out your spare room to me.”

Informal Example: “I hope you’re doing well! I’m writing to invite you to my birthday party next month.”

2. Complete Bullet Point Coverage

Each of the three bullet points must be addressed fully:

Expand each point with relevant details
Use separate paragraphs for each major point when appropriate
Provide specific examples where requested
Give adequate explanation for each requirement

3. Appropriate Opening and Closing

Formal:

Opening: “Dear Sir/Madam” or “Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]”
Closing: “Yours faithfully” (unknown name) or “Yours sincerely” (known name)

Semi-formal:

Opening: “Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]”
Closing: “Best regards” or “Kind regards”

Informal:

Opening: “Dear [First name]” or “Hi [Name]”
Closing: “Love,” “Best wishes,” or “See you soon”

Letter Types and Strategies

Complaint Letters (Formal)

Purpose: Express dissatisfaction and request action Key elements:

State the problem clearly
Provide specific details (dates, times, locations)
Explain the impact or inconvenience caused
Request specific action or compensation

Example Structure:

Para 1: Purpose and brief problem description
Para 2: Detailed explanation of what happened
Para 3: Impact and inconvenience caused
Para 4: Specific request for action/compensation

Request Letters (Formal/Semi-formal)

Purpose: Ask for information, permission, or assistance Key elements:

State your request clearly
Explain why you need this information/help
Provide any necessary background information
Be specific about what you want

Job Application Letters (Formal)

Purpose: Apply for a position Key elements:

State the position you’re applying for
Highlight relevant qualifications and experience
Explain why you’re interested in the role/company
Request an interview

Invitation Letters (Informal/Semi-formal)

Purpose: Invite someone to an event Key elements:

State the occasion clearly
Provide essential details (date, time, location)
Explain why you want them to attend
Request confirmation if needed

Thank You Letters (Any tone)

Purpose: Express gratitude Key elements:

State what you’re thanking them for
Explain why their help/gift was meaningful
Mention how you used their help or gift
Express future intentions (to reciprocate, stay in touch, etc.)

Essential Dos and Don’ts

✅ DO:

Address all three bullet points – This is crucial for achieving Band 6+
Match the tone throughout – Maintain consistency from opening to closing
Use appropriate letter format – Include proper opening, body, and closing
Expand on bullet points – Don’t just mention them; develop each one
Use specific details – Make your letter realistic and believable
Write 150+ words – Aim for 150-200 words minimum
Sign off appropriately – Use the correct closing for your tone

❌ DON’T:

Mix formal and informal language – Stay consistent with your chosen tone
Ignore any bullet points – All three must be addressed
Be too brief – Each bullet point needs adequate development
Use inappropriate closings – Match your sign-off to your opening
Include irrelevant information – Stay focused on the purpose
Forget the recipient – Keep your audience in mind throughout
Use text language – This is still a formal writing test

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Mistake 1: Inadequate Bullet Point Development

Problem: Mentioning bullet points without sufficient explanation or detail.

Example of poor development: ❌ “I want to complain about the food. It was bad. Please fix it.”

Fix: Provide specific details, examples, and full explanations. ✅ “I am writing to complain about the poor quality of food served at your restaurant on Saturday, March 15th. The chicken was undercooked and potentially dangerous to consume, while the vegetables were clearly not fresh and had an unpleasant taste. This ruined what was supposed to be a special celebration dinner for my anniversary.”

Mistake 2: Inappropriate Tone Mixing

Problem: Combining formal and informal language inappropriately.

Example: ❌ “Dear Sir/Madam, I’m totally bummed about the terrible service. It was really bad and stuff. Yours faithfully…”

Fix: Maintain consistent tone throughout. ✅ “Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received. The staff were unhelpful and the experience was highly disappointing. I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter. Yours faithfully…”

Mistake 3: Missing or Incorrect Letter Format

Problem: No clear opening/closing or inappropriate combinations.

Fix: Learn the correct format combinations:

Dear Sir/Madam + Yours faithfully
Dear Mr./Ms. Smith + Yours sincerely
Dear John + Best wishes/Love

Mistake 4: Not Achieving the Letter’s Purpose

Problem: Unclear about what the letter is trying to accomplish.

Fix: State your purpose clearly in the first paragraph and ensure everything supports that purpose.

Sample Response Analysis

Task: 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

Band 9 Response:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my serious concern about a faulty coffee machine I purchased from your store on March 10th and the unsatisfactory response I received when I contacted your shop for assistance.

The coffee machine, a DeluxeBrew Model XJ200, stopped working completely after just three days of normal use. When I press the power button, nothing happens – no lights, no sounds, and obviously no coffee is produced. I have checked that it is properly plugged in and tested it in different electrical outlets, but the problem persists. This is clearly a manufacturing defect as I have followed all operating instructions carefully.

When I telephoned your shop on March 15th to report this problem, I spoke with a staff member who seemed uninterested and unhelpful. He told me I would need to contact the manufacturer directly and that the shop could not assist me. When I explained that I had purchased the item only five days earlier, he simply repeated that it was not the shop’s responsibility. This response was both disappointing and, I believe, incorrect given my consumer rights.

I would like you to replace the faulty coffee machine with a new, working model immediately. As the equipment failed within a week of purchase, I believe I am entitled to a full replacement at no additional cost. I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to hearing from you within the next few days.

Yours faithfully, [Your name]

Word count: 234

Why This Achieves Band 9:

Addresses all bullet points comprehensively with specific details
Clear purpose established immediately
Appropriate formal tone maintained throughout
Logical organization with each bullet point in separate paragraphs
Specific details (dates, model numbers, exact problems)
Clear request for action with justification
Correct formal letter format

Key Language Functions for Different Letters

Complaining:

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction…
I was disappointed to discover…
I found the service/product to be unsatisfactory…
This caused considerable inconvenience…

Requesting:

I would be grateful if you could…
I am writing to inquire about…
Could you please provide information about…
I would appreciate it if you could…

Apologizing:

I am writing to apologize for…
I sincerely regret that…
Please accept my apologies for…
I take full responsibility for…

Inviting:

I would like to invite you to…
We would be delighted if you could join us…
I hope you will be able to attend…
Please let me know if you can come…

Applying:

I am writing to apply for the position of…
I would like to be considered for…
My qualifications include…
I believe I would be suitable for this role because…

Final Tips for Success

Identify the letter type immediately – This determines your tone and approach
Plan your bullet points – Spend 2-3 minutes planning how to address each one
Use the full word count – 150 words is a minimum; aim for 180-220 words
Stay in character – Maintain your chosen tone from start to finish
Practice different letter types – Familiarize yourself with various scenarios
Time management – Spend 20 minutes on Task 1, leave 40 for Task 2
Proofread for tone consistency – Check that your language matches your chosen style

Remember, Task Achievement in General Training is about effective communication. Your letter should read naturally while addressing all requirements completely. Focus on being clear, appropriate, and thorough rather than trying to use overly complex language.

Ready to master IELTS General Training Writing Task 1? Practice writing letters in different tones and scenarios. Remember, the key to success is addressing all bullet points thoroughly while maintaining appropriate tone and format throughout your letter.

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