This article provides a detailed analysis of all 11 IELTS GT Writing Task 1 letter tasks found in official Cambridge IELTS exam practice books that require informal letters. It begins with a comparison of the tasks to highlight similarities and differences, followed by a table outlining each task in depth. The goal is to assist candidates in preparing for the exam by understanding the test format, focusing on essential areas of study, and identifying appropriate practice materials. For over 500 pages of photocopiable resources for IELTS General and IELTS Academic preparation, visit https://www.usingenglish.com/e-books/ielts-writing/
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Summary of official IELTS General Writing Task 1 letter tasks
Kinds of letter and who to
- 6 out of 11 tasks involve replying to letters
- All 11 tasks require informal letters addressed to friends
- Most informal letters focus on giving advice or providing updates on personal life
Functions in the body of the letter
- Common functions include explaining, describing, and providing information
- Tasks often require giving reasons, offering suggestions, or providing advice
- Some tasks involve inviting or responding to invitations, while others require expressing negative or positive news
Things to cover in each bullet point
- 4 tasks have multiple points to cover in the body paragraphs
Recent trends in IELTS General Writing Task 1 letter tasks
- Recent tasks have focused on replying to letters and giving advice
- Tasks since 2020 emphasize clear formal or informal writing styles
Oddities
- Some recent tasks mention emails instead of letters, which may be an error
Year-by-year detailed analysis of official IELTS GT Writing Task 1 informal letters
The following table displays the test year, whether the task involves replying to a letter, the recipient, the type of letter required, the opening format, necessary functional language phrases, and if multiple points need to be covered in the body of the letter. Surprising points are indicated by an exclamation mark (!).
| Year Book/ Test | Reply? | Who to | Situation/ Kind of letter | Open | Functions needed | Plurals or two points in one bullet? |
|
2022 17/1 |
probably, but could be after a call etc |
friend |
email(!) advice on sports |
Dear…, |
advice, suggest, maybe invite |
no |
|
2021 16/ 4 |
yes |
friend |
email(!) advice on finding a place to live where you studied |
Dear…, |
describe, recommend, warn/ advise |
mistakes |
|
2020 15/ 1 |
yes |
friend |
advice on camping |
Dear…, |
explain/ reason(s), negative points, respond to invitation |
possible dis- advantages |
|
2020 15/ 3 |
yes |
friend |
advice about studying your subject |
Dear…, |
describe, reason(s), advice |
no |
|
2018 13/ 4 |
yes |
friend |
answer about a job in your country |
Dear…, |
give info, reason(s), explain |
no |
|
2016 11/ 1 |
yes |
friend |
advice on what to do after school |
Dear…, |
reason(s), suggest |
types of job |
|
2015 10/ A |
no |
friend |
ask for help getting a job |
Dear…, |
explain/ describe, request |
no |
|
2011 8/ A |
no |
friend |
life update after moving home |
Dear…, |
reason(s), describe, invite |
no |
|
2009 7/ A |
no |
friend |
life update on your change of job |
Dear…, |
reason(s), describe, good news, bad news |
no |
|
2009 7/ B |
yes |
friend |
thanks for photos and invite |
Dear…, |
thanks, reasons, invite |
for photos and holiday |
|
2005 4/ B |
no |
friend |
try to sell furniture to them |
Dear…, |
reason(s), describe, suggest/ arrange |
no |
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