IELTS Formal Letter Writing Task 1 Practice
A formal letter goes to someone you do not know, such as a manager or a council. Use a polite, impersonal tone and cover every bullet point.
How to approach it
- Open with "Dear Sir or Madam," and state your purpose in the first sentence.
- Give one paragraph per bullet point with specific details.
- Avoid contractions and slang; use polite requests (I would be grateful if...).
- Close with "Yours faithfully," and your name.
13 practice questions
Complaint Letter - Defective Product
You recently bought a laptop computer from an online store. However, when it arrived, you discovered several problems with it. Write a letter to the customer service department. …
WorkRequest Letter - Course Information
You are interested in taking a short course at a college in another country. Write a letter to the admissions office. In your letter: • Explain why you …
EducationJob Application Follow-up
You applied for a job three weeks ago but have not heard back from the company. Write a letter to the hiring manager. In your letter: • Remind …
WorkNeighborhood Noise Complaint
You live in an apartment and are experiencing problems with noise from your upstairs neighbor. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter: • Describe the noise …
SocietyLetter to a Landlord About a Broken Heater
You rent a small flat, and the heater in your bedroom stopped working three days ago. The nights are now very cold, and you cannot sleep well. Write …
HousingLetter to a Furniture Company About a Late Delivery
You ordered a new desk and two chairs for your office from an online furniture company. The delivery was promised for last Monday, but nothing has arrived, and …
WorkLetter to a Councillor Inviting Them to a Meeting
Your residents' group is holding a public meeting next month about the safety of the crossing near the local primary school. You would like a local councillor to …
GovernmentLetter to a Client Apologising for a Delay
Your company was due to deliver a marketing report to a client last Friday, but it is now two weeks late. The delay was caused by a problem …
WorkLetter to a Council About a Parking Fine
You received a parking fine for leaving your car in a bay that you believe was not clearly marked. The sign was hidden behind a tree, and you …
GovernmentLetter to a Gym About a Cancellation Fee
You joined a gym on a twelve-month contract. Three months later you moved to a city where the gym has no branch, and you now want to cancel. …
SportLetter to a Bank About a Refused Loan
You applied for a small business loan from your bank three weeks ago. The bank has refused the application without giving a reason, yet your business has traded …
EconomyComplaint Letter to Restaurant Manager
In your letter: • Explain when you visited and what went wrong • Describe how this affected your experience • Say what you would like the manager to …
SocietyIELTS GT Writing Task 1: Complaint Regarding New Workplace System
You are experiencing significant problems with a new computer system that was recently introduced at your workplace. This system is negatively affecting your ability to perform your duties …
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