How To Write IELTS Task 1 GT Informal Letter: Sample and Tips
Updated: 26 Jul 2025
596
The writing Task 1 GT informal letter in IELTS comprises two tasks. These are designed to assess your skills to communicate efficiently in everyday situations. Thus, you must prepare for this section effectively and secure a strong band score. However, for this, you require some tips along with samples to know the exact question pattern. Therefore, this guide offers complete details, from sample to expert tips that will help you solve task 1 with your maximum potential.
GT Informal Letter- An Overview
Task 1 of IELTS General Training (GT) requires candidates to write an informal letter referring to family or friends. The task needs to be completed within a minimum of 150 words in a duration of 20 minutes. However, you need to follow a clear structure, including a greeting, an introductory paragraph, and a closing statement with a sign-off. Unlike the formal letter, it does not require including addresses or salutations. Now that you are aware of the Task 1 GT informal letter, let’s take a look at the samples below for understanding their structure and language tone.
Samples of GT Informal Letter
Below are two samples of a GT informal letter that correctly depict how to answer Task 1 in the IELTS exam.
Sample 1
Your friend is recently going through a problem at the office and seeking your advice, as you have had the same issue at your work previously. Write an informal letter to give some advice to a friend.
In the letter,
- Tell how you feel about this issue
- Explain your experience with a similar problem
- Suggest potential solutions for the issue
| Dear Siya,I hope you are doing well. I recently got to know about the issue and learnt that you are facing problems at work. I am concerned about your current situation. However, I want to tell you that it is a key part of corporate life.I can entirely relate to your problem and understand what you may be feeling. I went through a similar phase when I was provided with an additional job to manage the dashboard and draft an insight report for the organisation. However, I consulted the issue with my manager and discussed how it is affecting my productivity.I would suggest that you have a personal discussion with the manager or HR, as the organisation’s management is sensible enough to understand that the well-being of employees is crucial.Remember, it will pass soon.Much Love,Mili |
Sample 2
You are planning a surprise party for your friend who is moving abroad to pursue higher studies and is feeling sad. Write a letter to another friend to invite him/ her to this party.
- Explain the reasons behind the party
- Inform about the time and date of the party
- Suggest what the friend can bring to the party
| Dear PrathamI hope you are doing well and eager about the final exam results that will be declared in a few months. Honestly, it is a scary feeling, and I’m very nervous about it. Well, I am writing the letter to inform you that I am hosting a party for our classmate, Rishabh, who is going to the UK. His flight is on 28th March, and we have planned to give a surprise party before he leaves the city.Lately, Rishabh has not been feeling good due to the fear of leaving his home, and it feels like we should cheer him up to enjoy this opportunity. Hence, it would be a good idea to make him feel happy, and he will feel good.The party is scheduled on 25th March and it will begin at 8 PM at my place. Also, it would be great if you brought some snacks to the party.Have a great day,Anish |
Tips to Write an Informal Letter
To write the task 1 GT informal letter effectively in your IELTS exam, you need to work on a few areas. These may include identifying the prompt and addressing all the information within a word count of 150 words. Moreover, you can follow the tips below to draft an engaging informal letter.
1. Understand the Task
Firstly, it is crucial to understand the letter type before you start writing the letter. Read the instructions to find out whether you need to draft a formal or an informal one. Further, read the prompt thoroughly to know about its actual purpose.
2. Letter Structure
Secondly, once you get familiar with the letter type and purpose, prepare a structure for the letter. It means how you will start, the content of the main body, and the conclusion. However, make sure to start the letter with a greeting, then mention the purpose of the letter precisely.
Further, proceed with the main paragraphs by writing about each bullet separately to cover all the details. Finally, give a concluding statement that connects with your opening details.
3. Use Correct Tone
Thirdly, ensure to use an appropriate tone while writing the letter, as it affects how the message will be perceived. Hence, you need to maintain an informal tone throughout the entire letter. You can also include language that is used in everyday life. Moreover, using contractions such as it’s or I’m can sound more natural.
4. Organization and Content
Lastly, paraphrase the details with vital keywords mentioned in the prompt in the opening sentences. Also, ensure to organize the ideas in a logical flow to make the letter easily understandable. Further, aim to complete the letter in 150 words by covering all the bullet points in detail. You can also take the IELTS writing mock test to familiarise yourself with the question type.
Conclusion
In summary, while answering Task 1 GT informal letter may appear simple, drafting a precise letter is tricky. Hence, you need expert tips that allow you to learn how to frame the correct informal letter. Besides, it is crucial that before taking the exam, you focus on regular practice to assess your performance. For this, you can take mock tests available on various websites, such as Gradding.com. Also, on this platform, you can check your scores through their IELTS writing test checker. It is the best preparation strategy, as it allows you to know your current performance. Further, it helps to identify weaker areas where you need improvement. So, now that you know expert tips, start your preparation. All the best!
Please Write Your Comments