In this module
CVIM · Original IELTS study and teacher-development resources
Module overview
A letter is an action addressed to a reader. Identify the relationship, purpose and required content before choosing the opening. Formality comes from the whole message: word choice, directness, explanation and closing should work together. These guides add original General Training practice to the Writing themes in the supplied material. Practise a short functional section first, then combine the sections into a complete response.
General Training Task 1 requires a letter of at least 150 words. Plan for about 20 minutes within the 60-minute Writing test. These short practice sections are not complete minimum-length test responses. Official Writing guidance ↗
Explore the guides
Plan a General Training letter
A quick plan protects the purpose of the letter. Note who the reader is, why you are writing and what they need to know or do. Give each required content point enough explanation to make sense. The plan can use fragments; its job is to prevent omissions, not to become a second draft.
Read the guide & try the taskChoose a suitable letter tone
Tone depends on the reader relationship and the situation. A request to a friend can sound warm and direct, while a complaint to an unfamiliar organisation needs clear, polite distance. Avoid mixing highly formal openings with slang or an overly personal closing. Tone should help the reader respond, not merely display memorised phrases.
Read the guide & try the taskCover every bullet point with useful detail
Content coverage requires more than mentioning a keyword from each point. Explain the information the reader needs and connect it to the purpose. Balance the sections so that one easy point does not absorb the whole response. Use the final check to locate where each requirement is addressed.
Read the guide & try the taskReview a request, apology or complaint letter
Check whether the reader can understand the situation, the writer’s stance and the next action. For an apology, acknowledge the effect and offer a realistic repair. For a complaint, explain the fault without exaggeration. For a request, make it clear what information or action would solve the problem. Then edit the language supporting those functions.
Read the guide & try the taskPut the module into practice
Use these stages for an individual study session or adapt them for a lesson. Keep a first attempt so you can see which decisions changed after feedback.
- 01
Identify the reader, relationship and purpose.
- 02
Map every requested point to a short content note.
- 03
Draft a coherent message with a suitable tone and action.
- 04
Check coverage, clarity and consistency before polishing grammar.
Try a fresh example without the model or prompts. Explain your reasoning and compare it with your first attempt. A response completed with help is useful practice, but it does not yet demonstrate the same level of independent control.
Check your understanding
Use this focused question to check the module’s central teaching decision. It is a study check, not a full assessment or an IELTS band estimate.
For deeper practice, complete the four guide activities and compare your reasoning with each sample response.
Sources and authorship
Written by Cambridge Veritas. Updated . The supplied slides inform this module’s themes; the explanations, invented examples, tasks and sample responses are original supplementary material.
Supplied course slides
- Triple Crown_ TESOL + VnA + IELTS.pdf ↗
Relevant pages: 15–19 of 39. IELTS foundations, speaking, writing and listening.
Official references and further practice
Independent learning material, not an official IELTS test or band result. Short listening scripts are read-aloud practice and contain no audio recording. Verify current booking and delivery procedures with IELTS.org. IELTS is a registered trademark of its owners.