IELTS General Task 1 Semi-formal Letters

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 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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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,

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