About this tool
The IELTS letter question generator gives you a random General Training Task 1 letter question, formal or informal, from a bank of 20 practice prompts. Start the 20-minute timer, write your letter and check it for free on the same page.
General Training Task 1 is a letter of at least 150 words. Timed practice with different situations is the best way to get used to the tone, purpose and layout.
What this tool does
20 letter questions
Situations include complaints, requests, invitations, apologies and updates for friends and organisations.
Formal and informal
Filter by formal or informal letters to practise the tone you find hardest.
20-minute exam timer
Start, pause and reset a timer that matches the suggested time for Task 1.
Write and check on one page
The question is filled in for you. Type or paste your letter and run the free diagnosis.
Tone practice
Switching between a complaint to a company and a note to a friend trains you to change tone, which examiners assess.
A new question in one click
Get a different situation each time so you practise the skill, not one prompt.
How it works
Choose formal, informal, or all letters
Practising both tones in a week gives the best range.
Get a question and start the timer
Read the three bullet points and tick each one as you plan.
Write your letter
Aim for at least 150 words with short paragraphs, one for each bullet.
Check your answer
The free diagnosis shows an estimated band and your biggest score blocker.
How to write a strong General Training Task 1 letter
Cover every bullet point
The task lists three things to do. Missing one limits your Task Achievement mark, so tick each bullet as you write.
Choose the right tone
Use full forms and polite phrases for a manager or company, and a friendly, natural tone for a friend. Mixing tones is a common mistake.
Open and close correctly
Dear Sir or Madam ends with Yours faithfully. Dear Mr Brown ends with Yours sincerely. Informal letters can end with Best wishes or Take care.
Say why you are writing at once
State the purpose in the first sentence, then use one short paragraph for each bullet point.
Who it is for
- General Training candidates, often preparing for work or migration
- Learners who find the letter task harder than the essay
- Teachers who need a quick random letter prompt for class
- Self-study students who want timed practice
Frequently asked questions
Which IELTS test uses letters?
General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter. Academic Task 1 describes a graph, chart, table, map or process.
How many words should a letter have?
At least 150 words. Writing fewer can lose marks.
How long should I spend on the letter?
The exam suggests about 20 minutes for Task 1. The timer on this page is set to 20 minutes.
What is the difference between formal, semi-formal and informal letters?
A formal letter goes to someone you do not know, an informal one to a friend. A semi-formal letter is polite but friendly, for example to a landlord or a teacher you know. The bank here has formal and informal prompts.
Are these real exam questions?
They are practice questions in the style of General Training Task 1. Real exam questions are not published in advance.
Do I need an account?
No. You can get questions and run the free check without signing up. The free check estimates a band and names your biggest blocker. The full report is part of a paid plan.
What does a paid plan add on this page?
Random questions, the timer and the free diagnosis of your letter stay free. A paid plan adds an analysis of the exact situation: what the three points ask, the trap to avoid, the tone to use, a letter plan and useful phrases for opening and closing, with no daily limit.
Can I check a letter with this tool?
Yes. Paste your letter into the box below the question and run the check. It is checked as a Task 1 answer.
Why does a new question clear my letter?
The checker box is tied to the question, so a new question starts a fresh answer. Copy your text first if you want to keep it.
More free IELTS tools
- IELTS Writing Task 1 checkerCheck an Academic report or a General Training letter.
- Task 2 question generatorRandom Task 2 questions with a 40-minute timer.
- Essay quick checkInstant counts for length, structure, linking words and repetition.
- Paragraph checkerTest one paragraph without writing a full essay.
- Task 1 templatesStructures for Academic Task 1 reports.
- IELTS essay samplesModel essays by type and topic.
- Band score calculatorCombine your criterion scores into a band.
Finished your letter? Find out what to fix first
The free IELTS Writing checker estimates your band and names the one problem that costs you the most marks.