Letter Topics

 In Writing Task 1 of the IELTS GT Test, a prompt will be given that gives you a situation that requires you to write a letter of around 150 words. For example, you may be asked to congratulate a friend who has recently been promoted in his/her job; a letter to your landlord describing a problem in the house you have rented; or a letter to your manager in your office.

You need to write a letter which can be informal (to a friend), semi-formal (to a neighbor) or formal (to a shop manager). We have produced many letter responses which are band 7.5+ level and you can practice them so that you can write any type of letter in your IELTS test. Best of luck!

Formal

1. Asking for Information
You live in an English speaking country and you want to do some voluntary, unpaid work in a developing country. Write a letter to a company called Cultural Expeditions, which organizes such trips. In your letter:

• Explain why you want to do the voluntary work.
• State what your skills and experience are.
• Indicate where you would like to volunteer and for how long.

2. Applying for a Job
You have decided to apply for a job as a Spanish instructor that was advertised in the April edition of the magazine Teaching Professional. This ad was posted by Mr John Sullivan, director of the Spanish department at The Language Institute of Great Britain in London, England. In your letter to Mr Sullivan:

• explain why you are writing
• describe your qualifications and experience
• explain how they can contact you

3. Making Suggestions

You eat at your college cafeteria every lunchtime. However, you think it needs some improvements. Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter:

• explain what you like bout the cafeteria
• say what is wrong
• suggest how it could be improved

4. Applying for a Job

You are looking for a part-time job. Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter:

• introduce yourself
• explain what sort of job you would like
• say what experience and skills you have

5. Complaining to a Bank

You have received a letter from your bank, asking you to acknowledge receipt of a new bank card. However, the card was missing from the envelope. Write a letter to the bank's head office. In your letter:

• explain why you are writing
• express concern about the missing card
• ask them what they intend to do

6. Informing an Airline
Last Tuesday you flew from New York to Paris. When you arrived home, you discovered that you had left your cabin bag on the plane. Write a letter to the airline. In your letter, you should explain:

• where and when you lost your bag
• what your bag looks like
• what its contents were

7. Applying for a Job

You have seen an advertisement for part-time work in a hotel for three months over the summer. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:

• say what experience you have
• ask what the work involves
• enquirer about conditions

8. Making Recommendations
You normally go shopping in the area where you live. However, you think some of the facilities for shoppers could be improved. Write a letter to your local newspaper. In your letter:

• say in general what you like about shopping in your area
• say what is wrong with the facilities
• suggest how they can be improved

9. Applying for a Job
You would like a temporary job working in the summer camp which runs sports and outdoor activities for children and young people next summer. Write a letter to the organizers of the summer camp. In your letter:

• explain what sort of job you would like to do
• describe your personality
• say what experience and skills you have

10. Complaining about a Product
You live in a small university town. Last week, you drove to a big city about two hours away to buy a new laptop at a good price. You worked on the laptop all week and finished writing a long assignment that is due shortly. However, this week, the laptop doesn't even switch on. Write to the store. In your letter:

• tell the store where you live & what happened
• explain the problem with the laptop
• state what action you would like the store to take

Semi-Formal

1. Arranging Accommodation
You are being sent on a one month work assignment in San Francisco, California. You need a place to stay while you are there. Write a letter to the Maury Samson Real Estate Agency. In your letter:

• explain the situation
• describe the kind of accommodation you would like
• provide the dates you will need it

2. Asking for Permission
You are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event. Write a letter to your supervisor. In your letter:

• Request time off
• Explain why you need to leave early
• Reassure him / her that your studies will not suffer

3. Complaining to a Landlord
You have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently a new neighbor moved in who has loud parties several times a week. Write a letter complaining about this to the landlord. In your letter:

• explain the situation
• describe why it bothers you
• suggest a solution

4. Making a Suggestion
You exercise regularly and have been a member of many different gyms. Recently, you moved into a new neighborhood and joined a new gym. You have noticed that people at this gym do not bother to wipe down the machines after use and often leave dirty towels on the benches in the change rooms. Write to Mr Koto, the manager. In your letter:

• explain who you are
• describe the problem exactly
• make suggestions to improve the gym

5. Booking Accommodation
You are going to take a short holiday in Singapore and you want to rent a holiday apartment while you are there. Write to the tourist information office. In your letter:

• explain what you need
• say when you plan to be there
• ask for information about prices

6. Explaining to a Neighbour
You are having a graduation party next Saturday night. You have invited 50 people to celebrate at an outdoor barbecue evening, which may continue into late into the night. Write a letter to your elderly neighbour. In your letter:

• explain what will be happening
• offer your apologies in advance
• invite her to join the celebration

7. Asking for permission
You are supposed to hand in a mid-term project for your psychology class by November 1st. However, your brother is getting married in Hawaii at the same time and the entire family is traveling there for the occasion. You would like an extension on the due date for submitting the project. Write to your professor. In your letter:

• explain the situation
• remind the professor of your fine academic record to date
• ask for an extension of the due date

8. Making a Suggestion
You live in a high-rise building, which has a communal laundry room. There are many washers and dryers there, but even more residents. Sometimes people don't come in time to empty the machines and other residents have to wait for a washer or dryer. You think the building management should purchase 10 extra laundry baskets and make them available for such times, so the machines can be freed up. Write to the Property Manager, Mrs Williams. In your letter:

• explain how long you have been a resident
• describe the problem
• propose your solution

9. Asking for Permission
You have received a job offer for a position you have wanted for a long time. You are expected to start on July 1st. However, you can only start a week later due to personal reasons. Write a letter to Mr Jackson, your new boss. In your letter:

• show your enthusiasm for the job offer
• explain the problem
• suggest what you can do

Informal

1. Inviting a friend
You are studying English at a private language school attended by many international students. You are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend who has been feeling particularly sad and homesick. Write to another classmate and invite him / her to the party. In your letter:

• explain the reason for the party
• give the date and time of the party
• suggest what the classmate could bring to the party

2. Advising a friend about a holiday

An English-speaking friend wants to spend a two-week holiday in your region and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• offer to find somewhere to stay
• give advice about what to do
• give information about what clothes to bring

3. Apologizing to a friend

You borrowed an important textbook from a classmate last term. You now realize your classmate had returned home overseas and you still have the book. Write a letter to to him / her. In your letter:

• apologize for the mistake
• find out how important the book is to him / her
• say what you will do

4. Thanking a friend for a holiday

You have recently been to stay with an old friend for a few days. You hadn't seen each other for a long time. Write a letter to the friend. In your letter:

• say how you felt about the visit
• refer to something enjoyable that you did while staying with him / her
• invite your friend to visit you

5. Advising a friend about work

An English-speaking friend is coming to study in your town next year and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Offer to find a place for him / her to live
• Give advice about how to find a part-time job
• Give information on where he / she can learn your language

6. Forgetting something at a friend's
You stayed at your friend's house when you participated in a conference in Australia. You left a briefcase with important documents in your room. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:

• thank your friend for the stay
• describe the briefcase
• ask him/her to return it to you by post

7. Reminding a Friend
A year ago, you lent your favorite book to a friend who you thought would enjoy it. Unfortunately, your friend has forgotten to return it. The book has sentimental value to you as it had been presented by your grandmother. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:

• ask how he or she is doing
• remind him / her about the book
• explain why you need it back

8. Congratulating a Friend
Your best friend just had her first baby. You are currently overseas but will be returning to your hometown in a week. Write to your friend. In your letter:

• congratulate your friend
• tell her when you will be returning home
• ask when you could drop in to meet her and the baby

9. Requesting Help
Your parents will be celebrating their 40th anniversary next month. You are planning a big celebration, but you are not sure how to make the occasion really memorable. Write to your best friend, Joan, who is a professional event planner. In your letter:

• explain why the occasion is special
• ask for her assistance
• set up a time to meet at your friend's convenience to discuss your plans

10. Admitting a Mistake

You attended an old friend's wedding in another city, about 3 hours away, a week ago. It was an outdoor wedding held on a rainy day and you had taken along a rather expensive, elegant umbrella. When you returned, you were tired and went straight to bed. You had a very busy week.This weekend, when it started to rain, you realized you had the wrong umbrella. You must have taken someone else's umbrella, which was very similar to your own, when leaving the wedding reception. Write to your friend who got married. In your letter:

• congratulate him / her on the beautiful wedding
• explain the situation
• ask how you can return this umbrella and locate your own