IELTS GT Writing Task 1 Letter: Using the Prompts for a High Score

All IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Letters contain Prompts / Bullet Points in the instructions. The prompts are always given along with background details of the letter and the letter aim. Those prompts (bullet points) actually form part of the marking criterion of Task Achievement, which counts for 25% of your marks. For Task Achievement, you are being marked on

• fulfilling your task
• addressing the prompts
• developing the prompts sufficiently
• having relevant content in relation to the prompts and the letter aims

Below are two sample answers for an IELTS GT Letter. The first letter does not address the prompts sufficiently for a high score in Task Achievement. The second letter is a model band score 9 which shows how the prompts should be used for your letter.

Addressing the Bullet Points in an IELTS GT Letter

1. The bullets point should be addressed in the same order as given by IELTS.
2. Your letter should focus on the content of those bullet points.
3. You must expand each bullet point sufficiently for Task Achievement.
4. The bullet points help you decide paragraphing.

IELTS GT Letter Instructions:

An old car was left on the street near your apartment block several weeks ago. You telephoned the local council to get them to take it away, but nothing has been done about it. The car is now causing a problem for residents.

• describe the car
• outline the problems it is causing
• tell the council what you want them to do

Sample Answer – Points Not Fully Addressed

Attention:

• There are issues with grammar and vocabulary
• See if you can spot the problems with the way the bullet points are addressed below.

Dear Sir,

I would like to express my concern about a dilapidated car that has become a usual sight for every resident since several weeks. I tried contacting you over the phone a few days back but the call went unanswered the first time. On my second attempt, I could get hold of you and I explained the whole situation to you, but unfortunately, despite getting an assurance from you, I could not see any action taken for it so far. Hence, I am giving a gentle reminder to you in writing.

It is a Toyota car with broken window glasses, windshield, and deflated tires. It also has some dents on it and is in very poor condition. Moreover, the car is parked across the apartment’s main entrance gate; it has almost narrowed the road in that area by creating a bottleneck which might increase the chances of accidents for the vehicles entering and exiting the apartment premises. I would request you to arrange for a tow truck, to lift the unattended vehicle, and drop it at a nearby police station where further inquiry could transpire.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Yours sincerely,
John

Problems with the Above Letter:

1. This is a formal letter. The tone of the above letter is correct, except there should be no exclamation mark at the end (this is not formal).
2. The letter should start with an opening line which states the letter purpose. An opening line of purpose is normal for a formal letter. However, the letter above confuses an opening line with a whole paragraph.
3. The first paragraph does not address any bullet point. This means it is mostly irrelevant to the task. All body paragraphs should be based on the bullet points.
4. The second paragraph contains all bullets points together. This is a problem because:
   • Each bullet point is not sufficiently developed.
   • Each bullet point should form one body paragraph.
5. Another problem is signing off. This is a formal letter which starts “Dear Sir” and therefore we should sign off with “Yours faithfully”.
6. The name of the writer should be given formally to match the tone of the letter – only informal letters sign off with a first name only.

Model Band 9 Letter Answer: Points Fully Addressed

Now look at a high band score letter for the same instructions. Many of the details are the same but the focus and layout of the letter is different. This letter follows the requirement of the higher band scores for Task Achievement because of the use of the prompts.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you regarding an abandoned car on my street that I complained about by phone weeks ago but the issue has not been resolved.

The car in question is an old, red Toyota car which has been left on Barkly Street, Briggford for weeks. The licence plate is DN78 TY8. It has broken windows and windshield with flat tires. It is covered in dents and scratches and is in very poor condition. It is not possible for it to be driven away and no one has claimed it.

The main concern is that the car is parked across the apartment’s main entrance gate. Consequently, residents are no longer able to access their parking spaces behind the apartment block.  Furthermore, the car is parked at an awkward angle sticking out into the street which is creating a bottleneck as the street is so narrow. This will increase the chances of an accident occurring. 

I suggest the car is towed away immediately to prevent any accidents and the owners  of the car traced using the licence plate number I have given above. 

I hope to hear back from you very soon with a solution to this problem.

Yours faithfully,

John Mountford

I hope you find it useful to compare letters. I hope this helps you understand your aims with Task Achievement for IELTS Writing Task 1 GT Letters. All the best, Liz

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