Do you have to cover all bullet points in an IELTS letter?
Yes. The prompt gives you a situation and three bullet points that say what to include, and missing one is the quickest way to lose Task Achievement marks. But covering all three is only the start: the descriptors separate bands 6, 7 and 8 by how well each point is extended.
Extending means adding one thing that makes the point useful to the reader: a reason, a specific detail, a consequence or a next step. Padding adds words that change nothing. The descriptors warn about both: at band 6, details "may be missing (or excessive)".
✗ Bullet: explain why you are going away. → "I am going away because I have a family event."
✓ "My cousin is getting married on the other side of the country, and as I'm one of the witnesses, I really can't miss it."
The first covers the point. The second extends it with a specific event and the reason it matters.
Next: a four-move method (BandLadder advice), two worked letters and the padding to cut. For complete letters, see the IELTS letter samples.
Premium sheet · 4 more sections
- How to extend each bullet point: point plus one
- IELTS informal letter example: covering each bullet point
- IELTS formal letter sample: extending without padding
- Your turn: covered, extended or padded?
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Questions
FAQ
Do you have to cover all three bullet points in an IELTS letter?+
Yes. From band 5 upwards the descriptors expect all bullet points to be presented; "Not all bullet points are presented" is band 4 wording.
How many words should an IELTS letter be?+
At least 150 words (ielts.org), with no official split per bullet point. BandLadder advice: roughly 40–45 words per bullet, one plain sentence plus one extension.
What does 'extended' mean in the IELTS letter band descriptors?+
Developing each point beyond a bare mention, with a reason, a specific detail, a consequence or a next step.
Can I write my IELTS letter as bullet points?+
No. ielts.org says you must not write your answers as notes or bullet points.
Sources
- IELTS Writing Band Descriptors (updated May 2023), ielts.org: Task 1, Task Achievement (General Training lines): bands 7–9 PDF page 3, bands 5–6 PDF page 4, bands 1–4 PDF page 5
- ielts.org: IELTS General Training, Writing test format: Task 1: letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes, personal/semi-formal/formal style, three bullet points, no notes or bullet points in answers
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