Ielts GT Writing Task 1

IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1
Letter Writing
Types:
Formal
Semi- formal
Informal
STYLE CHARACTERISTICS OPENING ENDING
To someone you have not met, Yours

Formal Dear Sir/Madam,
whose name you don’t know faithfully,
To someone you may or may not

have met, whose last name you Dear Mr Brown, Yours
Semi-formal
know Dear Ms Stone sincerely,
To someone you know well, Best regards,

Dear John,
Informal whose first name you know and Warm
Dear Anita,
use wishes,
TYPE PURPOSE
Requesting information from a company

Applying for a job
Formal Complaining to a bank, store, airline
reply to a product/service
Making a recommendation/suggestion
Complaining to a landlord
Semi-formal Explaining to a neighbor
Asking a professor for permission
Inviting someone you know well

Thanking a friend
Informal
Apologizing
Asking for advice
Divide your letter into paragraphs.
Usually you need four paragraphs:
•Introduction
•Problem / Situation
•Solution / Action
•Conclusion
STRUCTURE OF A FORMAL LETTER
Dear Sir/Madam
Paragraph 1- Say why you are writing to them. (I am writing with regard
to…)
Paragraph 2- Bullet point 1 and supporting details
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
[Your Full Name]

Beginning
•I am writing this letter with regard to…
•I am writing to bring to your attention…
•I am writing to inform you that…
•I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…..
Requests and Suggestions
•I would be grateful if you would…
•I would like you to…
•I am entitled to request that you….
•I was wondering if it would be at all possible to….
•I would like to suggest that….
Ending
•I look forward to hearing from you.
•I look forward to receiving your response.
•I await your prompt service.
•I thank you for your consideration.
•Please respond at the earliest convenience.
Formal Letter Example
You have been offered a place at a university and wish

to find suitable accommodation. Write a letter to the
accommodation officer including the following
information:
the type of accommodation you wish to find
some details about yourself
any special requirements you may have
and any other relevant information.
Dear Sir or Madam, Salutation
I recently received confirmation that I have gained a place on the M.Sc. Micro- biology course at your
university, starting this September, and am writing to you with regard to arranging for accommodation.
My student registration number is 123456. Beginning
I understand that you offer accommodation both on and off campus, the latter costing between £15 and
£30 per week. I would prefer to live off campus in a house with two or three other students, each
student having his/her own room, ideally within a 30-minute walk of the university. I have budgeted for
rent of £20 per week. If possible, I would like to remain in the same accommodation for the entire
duration of my course, i.e. two academic years. Bullet point 1
I do not have any special requirements, but would prefer to share the accommodation with students of
my age (I am 25) who are actively interested in sport. I myself am a keen rugby player. I do not mind
whether the other students are on a similar course to me or not. Bullet points 2 and 3
I would be grateful if you could send me details of two or three choices at your earliest convenience.
Ending
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Scott Signing off
Language features of semi-formal letters:
Include:
•openings that are neither too formal nor too informal, e.g. ‘Dear…,’
•closings that are neither too formal nor too informal, e.g. ‘Regards…’
•contractions, e.g. I’m… (instead of ‘I am’)
•the use of some more formal vocabulary, e.g. ‘receive’ (rather than ‘get’)
•the use of more personal language, e.g. ...the complaints we’ve received (instead
of ‘...the complaints that have been received’)
•the use of the words ‘suggest’ and ‘recommend’ to make suggestions (instead of
a more formal way, e.g. ‘May I suggest…’, or informal way ‘How about...’)
Avoid
language that’s too formal, e.g. very polite requests like ‘It would be greatly
appreciated if...’
•language that’s too informal, e.g. informal vocabulary like ‘moan’ instead of
‘complaint’
•language that should only be used in texts or on social media, e.g. shortened
words like ‘convo’ (rather than ‘conversation’)
EXERCISE
1.. I am writing to ask… / I’m writing to ask.
2...for assistance... / if you’ll be able to assist me… (e.g. ...if
you’ll be able to
assist me / for assistance in arranging a transfer)
3. ...consult / put it to (e.g. She suggested I consult / put it to
you...)
4. I’d be happy to suggest... / May I suggest…
5. Would you be able to…? / I would really appreciate it if you
could…
6. I’m looking forward to… / I look forward to… (e.g. I’m looking
forward to… / I look forward to hearing what you think)
7. Regards / Yours faithfully
8. I’ve recently seen a training course… / I have recently seen a
training course…
9. I’d like to ask whether the company would… / Would the
company…?
10. ...give / provide (e.g. The course would give/provide me…)
11. I need… / I would need… (e.g. To attend the course, I need / I
would need your...)
12. ...approval / okay (e.g. ...your approval/okay to take two days
out of the office)
13. Thanks for thinking about this / Thank you for considering this
14. Kind regards / Regards
Semi Formal letter example
You work for a company. You have seen some
information online about a training course that would
be useful for your work.
Write a letter to your manager. In the letter:
• give details of the course
• say how the course would be useful
• explain how the company could help you do this
course.
Dear Katy,
I’ve recently seen a training course that I think would be very useful for me in my role,
and I’d like to ask whether the company would be able to support my attendance.
The course is on project management and is being run by Milford Business Association
over two days next month (September the 1st and 2nd). The presenter, Erin Watson, is
well-known in the field and coming over from Australia specifically to run the course.
The course would provide me with practical skills that I could then apply to the upcoming
projects we have scheduled. I’d also be happy to share what I learn on the course with
the rest of the team here in a workshop or informally.
To attend the course, I would need your approval to take two days out of the office and
for the business association to invoice the company.
Thank you for considering this and I’m looking forward to hearing what you think.
Regards,
Pete
PHRASES FOR INFORMAL LETTERS
Apologizing
Please accept my sincere apologies for…
I am very sorry about…
Sorry for…
Asking for help

I’d be grateful if you could…
I would appreciate it if you could…
Could you please…
Asking for information

I am writing to enquire about…
I am writing to find out about…
I would like to know about…
Complaining
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…
I am writing to express my annoyance with…
I’m not happy with…
Expressing satisfaction
I was delighted to learn that…
I was thrilled to hear that…
I was very glad to hear that…
Expressing concern
I am writing to express my concern about…
I was very sorry to learn that…
I was really sorry to hear that…
Giving bad news

I regret to advise you that…
I regret to inform you that…
I am sorry to tell you that…
Giving good news
I am pleased to advise you that…
I am delighted to inform you that…
I am happy to tell you that…
Giving reasons
This is due to…
This is a result of
… This is because…
Making suggestions
Perhaps it would be useful to…
Perhaps it would be possible to…
It might be helpful to…
Thanking
I am extremely grateful for…
I really appreciate…
Thank you for…
Your friend's dog has recently passed away.
Write a letter to console your friend. In your letter:
•Express your sympathy
•Include memories you have about the dog
•Invite your friend to do something with you
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any

addresses.
Dear Erin,
I would like to express my deepest condolences to you and your husband,

Jack.
I was heartbroken to hear of Dexter's passing, and I cannot imagine what
you and Jack must be going through at this time. Dexter was more than a
dog; he was a member of the family, a playful friend, and a best friend in
times of need.
I am a staunch believer in celebrating positive memories and reflecting on
joyous times when overcoming a difficult situation. Lately, I've been thinking
about the moment when I first met Dexter at your housewarming party ten
years ago. He acted so warmly towards all of the new people, always let my
children play with him, and showed a steadfast, gentle temperament.
I understand that this is a difficult time, so please know that I am available if

you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to. If you're free next
weekend, I would love to take you and Jack out for a coffee or go for a
relaxing hike in the park.
I'm sending you a big hug. Please let me know if you need anything.
Your friend always,
Tessa

Ielts GT Writing Task 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ielts GT Writing Task 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ielts GT Writing Task 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1

To someone you have not met, Yours

To someone you may or may not

To someone you know well, Best regards,

Requesting information from a company

Inviting someone you know well

Paragraph 2- Bullet point 1 and supporting details

Paragraph 3- Bullet point 2 and supporting details

Paragraph 4- Bullet point 3 and supporting details

I look forward to hearing from you.

[Your Full Name]

You have been offered a place at a university and wish

•contractions, e.g. I’m… (instead of ‘I am’)

Asking for help

Asking for information

Giving bad news

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any

I would like to express my deepest condolences to you and your husband,

I understand that this is a difficult time, so please know that I am available if

You might also like