Writing Task 1 (W1) asks you to respond to a situation by writing an email of 150–200 words. You have 27 minutes. Here's how to use every one of them.
The 27-minute breakdown
- 0–3 min: plan. Read the prompt twice. Identify audience, purpose, and the 3 required content points.
- 3–22 min: write. 4 paragraphs, ~45 words each.
- 22–27 min: proofread. Read once for grammar, once for tone.
The 4-paragraph formula
- Greeting + 1-sentence purpose: 'I am writing to [purpose]'.
- Background / context: 2–3 sentences explaining the situation.
- Main request or details: 2–3 sentences addressing the 3 prompt points.
- Polite close + sign-off: 'I look forward to your reply. Best regards, [Name]'.
Match the tone to the audience
- Boss, landlord, company, HR: formal. 'Dear Mr. Smith', 'I would appreciate if…', 'Sincerely'.
- Colleague, classmate, acquaintance: semi-formal. 'Hi Alex', 'Could you let me know…', 'Thanks'.
- Friend, family member: informal but not slangy. 'Hey Sarah', 'Just wanted to say…', 'Talk soon'.
A 190-word sample (formal)
Dear Mr. Harris, I am writing to formally request a one-week extension on my graduate research project, originally due on April 30. Over the past three weeks, I have been dealing with an unexpected family matter that required me to travel out of province. During that time, I was unable to access the laboratory equipment needed to complete the final experiments, which has delayed the data analysis portion of my work. I would be very grateful if you could approve an extension until May 7. I have already coordinated with my research partner, who has agreed to help me finalise the results within that timeframe. I will also share weekly progress updates so you can monitor the work remotely. Thank you very much for considering this request. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and remain committed to delivering the quality of work the programme expects. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, J. Martin
Quick checklist before submitting
- Addressed all 3 bullet points in the prompt
- Tone matches audience
- 4 paragraphs, 180–200 words
- No text-speak or contractions in formal emails
- Sign-off matches the greeting register