If IELTS Writing Task 1 prompt gives you three bullet points. These are not optional—they are your writing plan. If you miss even one, your Task Achievement score will drop, making it hard to hit band 8.
🔍 What the Prompt Looks Like:
You recently had a problem while shopping online.
Write a letter to the company. In your letter:
- describe what you ordered
- explain what went wrong with the order
- say what you want the company to do
These three bullets are your guideposts. The examiner will check if you’ve addressed each of them clearly, fully, and with relevant detail.
🧠 How to Ace This Tip:
✅ 1. Highlight the Keywords
Before you start writing, underline or mentally mark the action words in the prompt. This keeps you focused.
- Describe ✅
- Explain ✅
- Say ✅
✅ 2. Use a Paragraph for Each Bullet (Ideal Strategy)
Structure your letter so that each bullet point becomes a separate paragraph. This ensures you’re organized and complete.
📝 Example Breakdown
Here’s how we can plan a response for the prompt above:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Mention who you are and the purpose of your letter.
I am writing to express my disappointment regarding a recent online order I placed through your website.
Paragraph 2: Bullet 1 – What You Ordered
On March 5th, I ordered a wireless noise-cancelling headphone, Model ZX300, in black colour, which was advertised as having 20-hour battery life.
Paragraph 3: Bullet 2 – What Went Wrong
Unfortunately, the product I received was not only the wrong model (ZX200), but it also came in blue instead of black, and the left earpiece wasn’t working at all.
Paragraph 4: Bullet 3 – What You Want
I would appreciate it if you could either send me the correct model as soon as possible or issue a full refund to my credit card.
Paragraph 5: Closing Statement
I hope this matter can be resolved promptly. Thank you for your attention to this issue.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| ❌ Skipping a bullet | Band drops to 6 or lower for Task Achievement |
| ❌ Addressing bullets too briefly | Weak development = lower score |
| ❌ Merging all bullets into one paragraph | Confuses the reader and reduces clarity |
🧩 Mini Practice Activity:
Here’s a Task 1 prompt. Can you quickly identify the three bullets?
Your friend is coming to stay in your apartment while you are away.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- tell him/her where the key is
- explain how to use the appliances
- suggest some places to visit in the area
✅ Great! Now make sure each one is addressed clearly and separately.
🚀 Why This Tip Will Boost Your Score:
✨ Shows task completion (essential for band 7+)
✨ Helps with paragraph structure and clarity
✨ Makes your writing easy for the examiner to follow
✨ Prevents off-topic or underdeveloped answers
