In this guide
CVIM · Original IELTS study and teacher-development resources
Understand the idea
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.
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 ↗
A worked example
An apology for returning borrowed equipment late becomes more useful when it includes a new return arrangement rather than repeating I am sorry several times. The action supports the expression of regret.
Before reading the sample response below, explain the decision in your own words. Identify which information supports it and what would change if the task or context were different.
A practical sequence to follow
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.
A common mistake to avoid
A polite closing cannot repair a letter that never explains the requested action.
If this happens in your work, return to a short example and identify the exact point where the decision went wrong. Change one part of your approach, then check it on new material.
Try it, then compare.
Your practice task
Improve this closing: Sorry for the delay. Thanks. The reader is a friend whose book you still have.
Use this idea in a lesson
Make the reasoning visible.
Start with the worked example in this guide. Ask learners to identify the key choice before completing the task together. Provide a short planning prompt, then remove it for the next attempt.
Change the conditions.
Use a different topic or a less obvious example while keeping the same skill. Ask learners to explain why a tempting alternative fails, or to give feedback on an anonymous response before revising their own.
Keep the objective narrow enough to observe. For a teaching portfolio, record the original plan, one anonymous learner response and the change you would make next time. For self-study, keep your first response and a later independent attempt.
How should I use the sample response?
Complete your own attempt first, then compare the choices and reasoning. The sample is one possible response to this practice activity, not a script to memorise, a full test answer or a guaranteed band model.
Where can I find full official practice tasks?
Follow the official IELTS sample-resource links in the references below. The original examples on this page isolate a learning point; they are not a complete official test.
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.