Why is it important? 🤔
Before you begin writing your letter in IELTS Writing Task 1 (General Training), it is crucial to understand the question prompt clearly. This is the foundation for your entire response. If you fail to understand the task, you risk writing an irrelevant or incomplete letter, which can negatively affect your task achievement score.
The question prompt tells you:
- Who you are writing to ✉️
- What the purpose of your letter is 📝
- What specific points you need to address 🧐
How to approach understanding the prompt:
- Read the Prompt Carefully 📖 Always start by reading the question prompt slowly and carefully. Don’t rush! Focus on:
- Who you’re writing to (a friend, a landlord, a company, etc.)
- The purpose of the letter (complaint, request, apology, etc.)
- The points you need to cover (e.g., explaining a problem, making a request, offering a suggestion, etc.)
Example:
Prompt:
“You recently moved to a new city and are having some problems with your apartment. Write a letter to the landlord to:
- Explain the problem.
- Request a solution.
- Suggest a way to resolve it.”
- Highlight and Identify Key Information ✨ Highlight or underline key information such as:
- Who you’re writing to (the landlord)
- What the letter is about (a problem with the apartment)
- The main tasks: Explain, request, suggest
- Who? The landlord
- Purpose? Explain, request, and suggest
- Tone? Formal (as it’s addressed to the landlord)
- Decide on the Tone of the Letter 🗣️ The tone of your letter must match the situation:
- Formal tone: If you’re writing to someone you don’t know personally or in a professional context (e.g., a landlord, a company).
- Informal tone: If you’re writing to a friend or family member.
- Semi-formal tone: If you’re writing to someone you know in a less personal context, like a colleague.
- Avoid Misunderstanding the Task 🚫 Misunderstanding the prompt could lead to an irrelevant response. Ensure you:
- Identify the type of letter: Are you writing a complaint, a request, a suggestion, or an apology?
- Cover all parts of the prompt: Don’t miss any important details mentioned.
- Prompt: “Write a letter to your neighbor about the noise from their house.”
- Misunderstood Response: “Hey, the noise is too loud.” (This is too brief and lacks detail).
“Dear [Neighbor’s Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to kindly request that you reduce the noise levels coming from your house, especially late at night, as it is disturbing my sleep. I would appreciate it if you could consider lowering the volume or moving noisy activities to a different time of day. Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]”
How to Structure Your Response? 📐
Once you’ve understood the prompt, start planning:
- Greeting: Address the recipient appropriately (e.g., Dear [Name/Title]).
- Introduction: Briefly state the reason for writing.
- Body: Address the problem or task in detail, providing solutions or suggestions.
- Conclusion: Close politely, with a thank you or a request for action.
Remember: Clarity is Key 🧐
- Plan before writing: Once you understand the task, take a few minutes to plan your response.
- Use your own words: Avoid copying phrases directly from the prompt. Paraphrase to show your vocabulary range.
- Focus on task achievement: Ensure you cover all points and stay on-topic.
Summary 📋
- Take your time to read the question prompt and understand it fully.
- Highlight the key instructions to ensure you address all required points.
- Recognize the tone based on the context (formal, semi-formal, informal).
- Plan your letter before writing to ensure coherence and clarity.
- Check your work: Make sure you answered all parts of the task.
By fully understanding the question prompt, you will avoid missing any essential elements of the task. This helps you stay focused, ensure task achievement, and ultimately score well in Task Achievement (Band 8+). 🌟
