IELTS General Writing Task 1 Linking Structures

Whitney Houston

3 min read

Updated On Aug 14, 2024

Words that Express the Letter Structure

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IELTS General Training writing task 1 evaluates your English writing abilities through letter writing. You will be given a situation. Based on it, you will be asked to write a formal, informal or semi-formal letter. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task and write not less than 150 words.

IELTS General Writing task 1 consists of 30% of the total weightage of the writing test.

The Marking Criteria of IELTS General Training Writing task 1 are as follows:

Task Response (25%)
Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
Lexical Resources (25%)
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Let’s understand the wide array of vocabulary that can be used for letter writing since vocabulary carries 25% of the overall band score.

Here are some commonly used linking words/vocabulary that can help you achieve the highest possible band score.

Words that Express the Letter Structure

Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly

Example:

You are asked to discuss the car parking issue with your manager and suggest an outcome. You can use the words mentioned above as follows:

Firstly, I would like to mention the car parking issue.

Secondly, let me provide you information about the issue in detail.

Thirdly, I would like to suggest a temporary car parking mechanism as a solution

First, furthermore, finally.

Example:

You are asked to apologize to your friend for rescheduling the party dates and also asking for help. You can use the words mentioned above as follows:

First of all, I’d like to thank you for accepting my invitation.

But, I am planning to shift the party from this month to next month. Furthermore, I would be in need of some help with the catering.

Finally, sorry for the inconvenience caused by me.

Emphasizing words

Also

Suppose you are asked to write a letter inquiring about some product. You can use the words mentioned above as follows:

Example:

I would like to inquire about your product, modular kitchen 45DS, different models and features. Also, I would like to receive more information about the available colours and price.

Besides

Suppose you are asked to write a letter to your friend inviting him to a party that you are hosting this coming week. You can use the words mentioned above as follows:

Example:

What are you on this week besides the research project? I would like to invite you to an event.

Above all

Suppose you are asked to write to the hotel manager describing your recent stay experience with them and explain any inconvenience. You can use the words mentioned above as follows:

Example:

I faced some issues with my room television, and the towels were not clean. Above all, the receptionist was not cooperative.

Solution words

Alternatively

Suppose you are asked to write a letter responding to a friend’s letter asking for career advice. You can use the word mentioned above as follows:

Example:

Alternatively, you can opt for volunteer work until you are clear about your career goals.

On the other hand

Suppose you are asked to write an apology letter to your friend. You can use the word mentioned above as follows:

Example:

It is a good practice to give bonus to the employees. On the other hand, it will increase expectations and they will want it every year.

Concluding words

In Brief

Suppose you are asked to write a resignation letter to your manager. You can use the word mentioned above as follows:

Example:

In brief, I have made up my mind to quit my job and start a business.

Overall

Suppose you are asked to write a letter to a company explaining your recent experience with its service. You can use the word mentioned above as follows:

Example:

Overall, your service was very satisfying.

Hence

Suppose you are asked to write a letter to your landlord complaining about the noise issue caused by your neighbors. You can use the word mentioned above as follows:

Example:

Hence, your intervention is required.

Practice IELTS General Writing Task 1

Whitney Houston

Houston has been in the field of IELTS for about eight years and has been associated with IELTSMaterial for the last two years. As an IELTS Expert, her contributions to the articles have been informative and original. Whitney has written about 200 informative articles for IELTSMaterial.com, which enables students to learn from her expertise. Whitney is also a good researcher, and thus any new information about the IELTS test can be found on our website, thanks to her. Whitney completed her graduation in Creative Writing at Glasgow University, Belfast. Having seen her foreign peers struggling to prepare for IELTS to find jobs abroad kindled her, and she began learning the techniques and strategies to crack the IELTS test to help her peers.

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