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Joy English · Level B1 · IELTS-stylejoy-english.com

IELTS-style writing: General Training Task 1 letter

Name:Date:

Independent practice in the style of IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, not an official test: learn how to organise a letter, choose the right tone and write a letter of at least 150 words.

Formal or informal?

Choose the best option for each situation.

  1. You are writing to a company and you do not know the reader's name. Which greeting is correct?
    • a) Hi there,
    • b) Dear friend,
    • c) Dear Sir or Madam,
  2. Which sentence is the best way to begin a formal letter to a community centre?
    • a) Hi! Just a quick note about my course.
    • b) I am writing about the cooking course that I attended last month.
    • c) I'm writing coz I want to tell you some stuff.
  3. Which sentence describes a problem politely in a formal letter?
    • a) The room was freezing and it was a total disaster!
    • b) The room was really, really cold, you know.
    • c) Unfortunately, the room was often too cold to work in comfortably.
  4. Your letter begins with Dear Sir or Madam. How should it end?
    • a) Yours sincerely,
    • b) Yours faithfully,
    • c) Lots of love,
  5. Your letter begins with Dear Ms Novak. How should it end?
    • a) Yours sincerely,
    • b) Cheers,
    • c) Yours faithfully,
  6. Which is the most suitable way to make a suggestion in a formal letter?
    • a) Start the classes later, OK?
    • b) Would it be possible to start the classes half an hour later?
    • c) You should totally start the classes later.
  7. Which sentence is suitable for an informal letter to a friend?
    • a) Thanks so much for having me last weekend!
    • b) I am writing to express my gratitude for your hospitality.
    • c) I wish to inform you that I enjoyed my stay.
  8. Which closing sentence is best for a formal letter?
    • a) Write back soon, OK?
    • b) Bye for now!
    • c) I look forward to your reply.

Fixed phrases for letters

Type the missing word or words. Use the hint in brackets when there is one.

  1. I look forward to ___ from you.
  2. I would be ___ if you could send me more information about the course.
  3. I am writing ___ your advertisement for part-time staff.
  4. Thank you for ___ (consider) my suggestion.
  5. The teacher was excellent. ___, there was one problem with the room. (contrast)
  6. I am sorry ___ the delay in replying to your letter.
  7. Please ___ me know which dates suit you.
  8. I would like to ___ that the centre should also offer a weekend course. (make a suggestion)

Organising your letter

Choose the best answer about planning and organising a Task 1 letter.

  1. What is the minimum length for a General Training Task 1 letter?
    • a) 100 words
    • b) 250 words
    • c) 150 words
    • d) there is no minimum
  2. Where should you say why you are writing?
    • a) in the first paragraph
    • b) in the last paragraph
    • c) after your name
    • d) you do not need to say it
  3. The task has three bullet points. What is the best plan for the main part of the letter?
    • a) one long paragraph for all three points
    • b) one paragraph for each bullet point
    • c) write only about the easiest point
    • d) a numbered list of the three points
  4. You are writing to a community centre manager about a course. Which sentence best starts the paragraph about a problem?
    • a) I look forward to hearing from you.
    • b) I am writing about the course I attended.
    • c) Yours faithfully, Lina Haddad
    • d) However, there was one problem that affected the whole group.
  5. What should you do about addresses in a Task 1 letter?
    • a) Do not write any addresses.
    • b) Write your address at the top.
    • c) Write both addresses at the top.
    • d) Write the reader's address at the end.
  6. Which sentence belongs in the final paragraph of a formal letter?
    • a) The heating in Room 4 was often broken.
    • b) Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
    • c) I am writing to tell you about my course.
    • d) Dear Sir or Madam,

Writing task

You recently attended an evening course at your local community centre. Write a letter to the manager of the centre. In your letter: say which course you attended and what you liked about it; describe a problem you had during the course; suggest how the centre could solve this problem. Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear Sir or Madam,

150–200 words

Check your writing

  • I covered all three bullet points, with one paragraph for each.
  • My first sentence makes the reason for writing clear.
  • I used a formal tone, with no contractions or slang.
  • I began with Dear Sir or Madam and ended with Yours faithfully and my full name.
  • I linked my ideas with words such as However, Overall and therefore.
  • I used varied vocabulary and checked my grammar and spelling.
  • I wrote at least 150 words.

Answer key

Formal or informal?

  1. c) Dear Sir or Madam,Dear Sir or Madam is the standard formal greeting when you do not know the person's name.
  2. b) I am writing about the cooking course that I attended last month.It is polite and formal, and it states the reason for writing clearly.
  3. c) Unfortunately, the room was often too cold to work in comfortably.Unfortunately introduces the problem politely, and the sentence avoids emotional or chatty language.
  4. b) Yours faithfully,In British English, Dear Sir or Madam goes with Yours faithfully.
  5. a) Yours sincerely,When you use the person's name in the greeting, end with Yours sincerely.
  6. b) Would it be possible to start the classes half an hour later?Would it be possible to ...? is a polite, indirect way to make a suggestion in a formal letter.
  7. a) Thanks so much for having me last weekend!It is friendly and natural. The other two sentences are far too formal for a friend.
  8. c) I look forward to your reply.I look forward to your reply is a polite, formal closing sentence. The other two are informal.

Fixed phrases for letters

  1. hearingThe fixed phrase is look forward to + -ing: I look forward to hearing from you.
  2. grateful / very grateful / most grateful / extremely gratefulI would be grateful if you could ... is a polite formal way to ask for something.
  3. regarding / about / concerning / in response to / with regard to / in reply to / with reference to / in connection with / in relation toRegarding, about and concerning all introduce the topic of your letter. In response to and with reference to are also common in formal letters.
  4. consideringAfter the preposition for, use the -ing form: Thank you for considering ...
  5. However / Unfortunately / Nevertheless / Nonetheless / Even so / StillHowever introduces a contrast with the good point before it. Nevertheless, Even so and Unfortunately also work here.
  6. for / aboutWe say sorry for or sorry about something: I am sorry for the delay.
  7. letLet me know is a common, friendly way to ask someone to tell you something.
  8. suggest / propose / recommendI would like to suggest that ... is a polite way to make a suggestion in a formal letter.

Organising your letter

  1. c) 150 wordsYou must write at least 150 words. Shorter letters cannot score well.
  2. a) in the first paragraphThe reader should understand the purpose of the letter from the first paragraph.
  3. b) one paragraph for each bullet pointOne paragraph per bullet point makes it easy for the reader to see that you have covered everything.
  4. d) However, there was one problem that affected the whole group.However signals a change from positive points to a problem, and the sentence introduces the topic of the paragraph.
  5. a) Do not write any addresses.The task does not require addresses, so do not spend time writing them.
  6. b) Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.Thanking the reader is a good way to close a formal letter before the sign-off.

Model answer

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing about the ten-week photography course that I attended at the community centre this spring, which finished last Tuesday.

Overall, I found the course extremely useful. The teacher, Mr Adebayo, explained everything clearly and was always patient with beginners like me. I particularly enjoyed the practical sessions in the park, where we were able to try out new techniques and receive advice on our own photographs.

However, there was one problem that affected the whole group. Room 4, where the course took place, was very cold in the evenings because the heating was often not working. On several occasions we had to keep our coats on, and two students left early because they felt uncomfortable.

I would therefore like to suggest that the heating in Room 4 is checked before the autumn courses begin. Alternatively, evening classes could be moved to one of the larger rooms on the ground floor, which are usually warmer.

Thank you for considering my suggestion. I look forward to joining another course in the future.

Yours faithfully,

Lina Haddad

Joy English · free English practice · https://joy-english.com/exam-practice/ielts-letter-community-course