IELTS Formal Letters (General Training Task 1)

How to structure it

1. Greeting

   Use "Dear Sir or Madam" if you do not know the name, or "Dear Mr Smith" if you do.

2. Opening

   State why you are writing in the first line, for example "I am writing to complain about...".

3. Body

   Cover each of the three bullet points, usually one short paragraph each.

4. Closing and sign-off

   End politely, then sign off "Yours faithfully" (if you opened with Dear Sir or Madam) or "Yours sincerely" (if you used a name).

Common mistakes that cost marks

• Using contractions. Write "I am" and "cannot", not "I'm" or "can't", in a formal letter.
• Breaking the faithfully and sincerely rule: "Dear Sir or Madam" pairs with "Yours faithfully", a named greeting with "Yours sincerely".
• Sounding angry or emotional instead of measured and polite, even in a complaint.
• Skipping one of the three bullet points, which caps Task Achievement.

Formal letter practice questions (7)

• complaint You recently bought a piece of electronic equipment, but it stopped working after a few days. Write a letter to the shop manager. In your letter:
  • describe the product you bought and when you bought it
  • explain what is wrong with it
  • say what you would like the manager to do
• complaint A flight you had booked was cancelled at short notice, causing you serious inconvenience. Write a letter to the airline. In your letter:
  • give details of the flight you had booked
  • explain how the cancellation affected you
  • say what you expect the airline to do
• job application You have seen an advertisement for a part time job at a local company. Write a letter of application to the company. In your letter:
  • explain which job you are applying for and where you saw it
  • describe your relevant skills and experience
  • say when you would be available to start
• request You are unhappy about the lack of facilities for young people in your local area. Write a letter to the local council. In your letter:
  • explain why you are writing
  • describe the facilities you think are needed
  • suggest how the council could provide them
• asking for information You are planning to take a course at a college in another city and need more information before you apply. Write a letter to the college. In your letter:
  • explain which course you are interested in
  • ask about the details you need to know
  • say when you hope to start the course
• complaint You recently had a meal at a restaurant where the service and food were not of an acceptable standard. Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter:
  • give details of your visit to the restaurant
  • explain what went wrong
  • say what you would like the manager to do
• resignation You have decided to leave your current job and want to inform your employer formally. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
  • state that you are resigning and give the date
  • explain your reasons for leaving
  • say what you have valued about working there