IELTS General Task 1 Letter Questions

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 ....................................,

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 .....................,

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 ______________ ,

You recently used a company to help you move your furniture and possessions to your new apartment. The removal company has now asked for your feedback about the service they provided.

Write a letter to the removal company. In your letter

• explain what went well on the day you moved house

• praise an employee who was particularly helpful

• mention an aspect of the service that you were not happy with

Dear Sir or Madam,

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 ...,

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,

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 ...,

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 ……………………,

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

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

You recently bought some train tickets for a journey a week in advance. When you went to the station to catch the train, you were told you could not use the tickets and the staff were very unhelpful to you.

Write a letter to the train company. In your letter:

Describe the problem you had with the tickets

Say why were unhappy with the staff

Suggest what action the train company should take

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 employe. 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

Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport.

Write an email to you 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 learn this sport together.

The parents of your Australian friend Chris have invited you to surprise birthday party for him/her.

Write a letter to Chris parents . In your letter:

Say why you think Chris will enjoy the surprise party

Explain why you won't be able to attend the party

Give details of plan to see Chris at a different time

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 have bought some clothing online and are not satisfied with your purchase.

Write an email to the company that you bought the clothing from. In your email:

Give details of the purchase

Describe the problem

Explain why you need a replacement urgently

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 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

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

Your friend has been offered a place on a course at the university where you studied. He/She would like your advice about finding a place to live.

Write an email to your friend. In your email:

Describe where you lived when you were a student at the university

Recommend the best way for him/her to look for accommodation

Warn him/her of mistakes students make when choosing accommodation

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

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

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 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 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 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 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 recently went to a concert and thought one of the singers was very good. You want to tell him how you feel.

Write a letter to the singer. In your letter:

Say how you feel about his performance

Give details of your musical activities

Explain how you would like him to help you with your musical activities

You work for an international company, and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

Explain why you want to work in the company’s head office for six months

Say how your work could be done while you are away

Ask for his/her help in arranging it

You recently organized an all-day meeting for your company, which took place in a local hotel. In their feedback, participants at the meeting said that they liked the hotel, but they were unhappy about the food that was served for lunch.

Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter

Say what the participants liked about the hotel

Explain why they were unhappy about the food

Suggest what the manager should do to improve the food in the future

The system used for rubbish/garbage area collection in your local area is not working properly. This is causing problems for you and your neighbours.

Write a letter to the local council. In your letter:

Describe how the rubbish collection system is not working properly

Explain how this is affecting you and your neighbours

Suggest what should be done about the problem

A friend you made while you were studying abroad has written to ask you for help in finding a job in your country. You have heard about a job in local company that might be suitable for him/her.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

Tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves

Say why you think the job would be a suitable for him/her

Explain how to apply for the job

You work at home and have a problem with a piece of equipment that you use for your job.

Write a letter to the shop or company which supplied the equipment. In your letter:

Describe the problem with the equipment

Explain how this problem is affecting your work

Say what you want the shop or company to do

During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.

Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter:

Remind him when and where you met

Tell him what kind of job you are interested in

Say why you think you would be suitable for the job

A large company in your area has decided to spend a certain amount of money, either to sponsor a local children's sports team for two years, or to pay for two open-air concerts. It has asked for feedback from the general public.

Write a letter to the company. In your letter:

Describe the benefits of sponsoring the sports team

Summarise the benefits of paying for the concerts

Say how you think the company should spend the money

There have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

Describe the complaints that have been made

Say why the reception area is important

Suggest how the reception area could be improved

You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

Say why he/she would not enjoy going to college

Explain why getting a job is a good idea for him/her

Suggest types of job that would be suitable for him/her

You recently attended a meeting at a hotel. When you returned home, you found you had left some important papers at the hotel.

Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter:

Say where you think you left the papers

Explain why they are so important

Tell the manager what you want him/her to do

Your local council is considering closing a sports and leisure centre that it runs, in order to save money.

Write a letter to the local council. In your letter:

Give details of how you and your friends or family use the centre

Explain why the sports and leisure centre is important for the local community

Describe the possible effects on local people if the center closes

You work for an international company. You have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your job.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

Describe the training course you want to do

Explain what the company could do to help you

Say how the course will be useful for your job

You are going to another country to study. You would like to do a part-time job while you are studying, so you want to ask a friend who lives there for some help.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

• give details of your study plan

• explain why you want to get a part-time job

• suggest how your friend could help you find a job

Dear ....................................,

You and some friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were very pleased with the food and service.

Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter:

• give details of your visit to the restaurant

• explain the reason for the celebration

• say what was good about the food and the service

Dear Sir or Madam,

You are working for a company. You need to take some time off work and want to ask your manager about this.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• explain why you want to take time off work

• give details of the amount of time you need

• suggest how your work could be covered while you are away

Dear .................... ,

On a recent holiday you lost a valuable item. Fortunately you have travel insurance to cover the cost of anything lost.

Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter

• describe the item you lost

• explain how you lost it

• tell the insurance company what you would like them to do

Dear Sir or Madam,

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 ............. ,

You recently bought a piece of equipment for your kitchen but it did not work. You phoned the shop but no action was taken.

Write a letter to the shop manager. In your letter

- describe the problem with the equipment

- explain what happened when you phoned the shop

- say what you would like the manager to do.

Dear sir or Madam,

You have recently started work in a new company.

Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter

• explain why you changed jobs

• describe your new job

• tell him/her your other news

Dear ................. ,

Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends.

They have just sent you some photos of your holiday.

Write a letter to your friends. In your letter

• thank them for the photos and for the holiday

• explain why you didn't write earlier

• invite them to come and stay with you

Dear ................. ,

You and your family are living in rented accommodation in an English-speaking country. You are not satisfied with the condition of some of the furniture.

Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter

• introduce yourself

• explain what is wrong with the furniture

• say what action you would like the landlord to take

Dear ................. ,

You have just moved into a new home and are planning to hold a party. You are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbour.

Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter

• introduce yourself

• describe your plans for the party

• invite your neighbour to come

Dear ............,

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

Dear .................... ,

You have a full-time job and are also doing a part-time evening course. You now find that you cannot continue the course.

Write a letter to the course tutor. In your letter

• describe the situation

• explain why you cannot continue at this time

• say what action you would like to take

Dear ..................................... ,

You were hurt in a minor accident inside a supermarket, and you wish to complain to the supermarket.

Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter

• say who you are

• give details about the accident

• suggest how the supermarket could prevent similar accidents.

Dear Sir or Madam,

You want to sell some of your furniture. You think a friend of yours might like to buy it from you.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

• explain why you are selling

• describe the furniture

• suggest a date when your friend can come and see the furniture

Dear ............ ,

You are due to start a new job next week but you will not be able to because you have some problems.

Write a letter to your new employer. In your letter

• explain your situation

• describe your problems

• tell him/her when you think you can start.

Dear...............,

You are unhappy about a plan to make your local airport bigger and increase the number of flights. You live near the airport.

Write a letter to your local newspaper. In your letter

• explain where you live

• describe the problem

• give reasons why you do not want this development.

Dear Sir/Madam,

You borrowed some books from your school or college library. Unfortunately you have to go away to visit a sick relative and cannot return the books in time.

Write a letter to the library. Explain what has happened and tell them what you want to do about it.

Dear ___________ ,

You travelled by plane last week and your suitcase was lost.

You have still heard nothing from the airline company.

Write to the airline and explain what happened. Describe your suitcase and tell them what was in it. Find out what they are going to do about it.

Dear ______________ ,

You have had a bank account for a few years. Recently you received a letter from the bank stating that your account is $240 overdrawn and that you will be charged $70 which will be taken directly from your account. You know that this information is incorrect.

Write a letter to the bank. Explain what has happened and say what you would like them to do about it.

Dear Sir,

Your local hospital has advertised for people to do unpaid work helping at the hospital. You would like to do some work at the hospital in your free time.

Write a letter to the hospital. In your letter

- explain why you would like to do unpaid work at the hospital

- say what type of unpaid work you would be able to do

- give details of when you would be available for this work

Dear Sir or Madam,

You have been doing some voluntary work to help your local community. However, now you are unable to continue doing this work.

Write a letter to the manager of the organisation where you have been working. In your letter

- describe the work you have been doing

- explain why you can no longer do this work

- recommend another person who is interested in the work

Dear ................,