IELTS General Training Writing Task 1Samples by band
Band 8 & 9 sample letters
Task 1 General letters that scored Band 8 or higher, each with criterion scores and full feedback.
Formal letter
Invite a Famous Actor to Open a New Theatre
You work for an entertainment company which plans to open a new theatre soon. You want to invite a famous actor to open the new theatre. Write a letter to this famous actor. In your letter - give some information about the new theatre - invite her/him to open the new theatre - explain why she/he would be a good person to open the theatre Dear ______________ ,
Formal letter
Letter to Manager Before Starting Work Experience
You are soon going to spend three months doing work experience in an organisation. Write a letter to the manager of the organisation where you are going to do work experience. In your letter: Thank the manager for the opportunity to do work experience Explain what you hope to learn from the work experience Ask some questions about the work experience you are going to do
Informal letter
Letter to a Friend About Moving House
You have recently moved to a different house. Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter • explain why you have moved • describe the new house • invite your friend to come and visit Dear.............,
Formal letter
Letter to a Magazine About an Influential Book
A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called ‘The book that influenced me most’. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter • describe what this book was about • explain how this book influenced you • say whether this book would be likely to influence other people You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Formal letter
Cancelling a Part-Time College Course Booking
You recently booked a part-time course at a college. You now need to cancel your booking. Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter • say which part-time course you booked • explain why you need to cancel your booking • ask about booking a different course You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Formal letter
Feedback Letter on a Short Cookery Course
You recently did a short cookery course. The cookery school has asked for your feedback on this course. Write a letter to the course director at the cookery school. In your letter describe what you enjoyed about the course say how much cooking you've done since the course suggest another cookery course you'd like the school to offer You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Informal letter
Letter Advising a Friend About a University Course
A friend of yours is thinking about applying for the same course that you did at university. He/She has asked for your advice about studying this subject. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter give details of the course you took at the university explain why you recommend the university give some advice about how to apply You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear …………………… ,
Semi-formal letter
Letter to Boss Requesting Reduced Hours for Study
You would like to reduce your working hours in order to study part time. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter • explain why you want to reduce your working hours • say which hours you would like to work • describe how your part-time studies would benefit your employer Dear ...,
Formal letter
Letter to Correct Inaccurate Town Information
You have just read an article in an international travel magazine which contained some information about your town that is incorrect. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine. In your letter correct the information in the article explain why it is important for the magazine to give correct information suggest what the magazine should do about this situation You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Informal letter
Letter to Friend About New Year Celebrations
Your English-speaking friend has asked for your help with a college project he/she is doing about celebrating New Year in different countries. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: Say how important New Year is to people in your country Describe how New Year is celebrated in your country Explain what you like about New Year celebrations in your country
Semi-formal letter
Letter to International Students Club Organiser About Food Event
You are a member of an International Students' club. The club is organising an event to celebrate popular food from around the world. Write a letter to the event organiser, Luis. In your letter • offer to make a popular dish from your country • describe what this dish is • explain why it should be included in the event Dear Luis,
Semi-formal letter
Letter to Landlord Requesting Apartment Lease Extension
Five months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner. Write a letter to the owner of your apartment. In your letter: Say how long you now want to rent the apartment for Explain why your plans have changed Tell the owner about a problem in the apartment Dear ...,
Semi-formal letter
Letter to Neighbours Apologising for Noise
Your neighbours have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your house / flat. Write a letter to your neighbours. In your letter: - explain the reasons for the noise - apologise - describe what action you will take
Formal letter
Letter to Newspaper Editor About Town Centres
You have just read an article in a national newspaper which claims that town centres in your country all look very similar to each other. You don’t fully agree with this opinion. Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. In your letter • say which points in the article you agree with • explain ways in which your town centre is different from most other town centres • offer to give a guided tour of your town to the writer of the article You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Informal letter
Advice to a Friend on a First Camping Holiday
A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He/She has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday describe some possible disadvantages say whether you would like to go camping with your friend this summer You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear …………………… ,
Informal letter
Advice to a Friend on Learning a New Sport
Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport. Write an email to your friend. In your email • recommend a new sport that would be suitable for your friend to learn • explain how your friend could learn this sport • suggest that you both learn this sport together. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ……………,
Formal letter
Application Letter for Childcare Job in Australia
You have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six-year-old child. Write a letter to the parents. In your letter explain why you would like the job give details of why you would be a suitable person to employ say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Formal letter
Application Letter to Teach Children Language in Australia
You have seen an advertisement from a couple, who live in Australia, for someone to teach their two children your language for a year. Write a letter to the couple. In your letter explain why you think you would be suitable for the job say what else you could do for the family give your reasons for wanting the job You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear …………………… ,
Formal letter
Applying for Volunteer Work at a Local Museum
A museum near your home is looking for people to do part-time voluntary/unpaid work. You would like to do some voluntary/unpaid work at the museum. Write a letter to the museum director to apply for the voluntary/unpaid work. In your letter explain why you want to do voluntary/unpaid work at the museum describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful give details of when you would be available for work You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,
Formal letter
Letter of Complaint About an Unrepaired Mobile Phone
You have bought a new mobile phone and in a few days after purchase it has stopped working. You spoken to the company representative a week ago but the phone has still not been repaired. Write a letter to the company. In your letter – introduce yourself – explain the situation – say what action you would like to company to take.
Informal letter
Letter to a Friend About an Impressive Place
You recently visited a place that had a strong impact on you. Now you want to write to your friend about the place. Write a letter to a friend about the place. In your letter: - explain where the place was and how you got there - describe what you saw - offer to take your friend there
Informal letter
Letter to a Friend's Sister About Studying Abroad
The younger sister of one of your friends is thinking about spending a year studying abroad as part of her university course. You did this recently, and she has asked you about your experience. Write a letter to your friend's sister. In your letter • tell her where you studied during your year abroad • describe what you learnt about the country you studied in • explain why your year abroad was helpful for your studies Dear .....................,
Semi-formal letter
Letter to Manager Requesting Internal Department Transfer
You started in your present job two years ago. You now feel it is important for your career development to move to a different department in the same company. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter: • say what you have learned in your present job • suggest how the company would benefit from moving you to a different department • explain why you do not wish to leave the company Dear ……………………,
Formal letter
Letter to Mrs Barrett Offering Summer Home Help
Mrs Barrett, an English-speaking woman who lives in your town, has advertised for someone to help her in her home for a few hours a day next summer. Write a letter to Mrs Barrett. In your letter • suggest how you could help her in her home • say why you would like to do this work • explain when you will and will not be available You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mrs Barrett,
Informal letter
Organising a Ten-Year College Reunion Celebration
It is ten years since you left college. You'd like to organise an event to celebrate this anniversary with all your friends and classmates from college. Write a letter to one of your college friends. In your letter • say what kind of celebration event you'd like to organise • explain why you think it would be good to celebrate in this way • describe what help you need to organise this event Dear ....................................,
Semi-formal letter
Work Training Course Feedback Letter to Employer
You recently attended a training course for your work. Your employer has asked you for your feedback on the training course. Write a letter to your employer. In your letter: Remind your employer what the course was about Explain why the course was useful to you in your work Suggest why the course may not be suitable for some of your other colleagues