📮 IELTS Writing Task 1 General Sample Letters (Formal + Informal)

In the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, you’re required to write a letter based on a real-world situation. Depending on who you're writing to, the tone can be formal, semi-formal, or informal. Your ability to match the tone, structure, and purpose of the letter determines your score.

This guide includes:

• ✅ The key differences between formal and informal letters
• ✅ Full Band 9 sample letters for both styles
• ✅ Letter writing structure and useful phrases
• ✅ Practice prompts to prepare for real IELTS exams

📌 Understanding the Tone

The tone of your letter should reflect your relationship with the recipient:

• Formal – to people you do not know personally (e.g., hotel manager, company, government official)
• Informal – to friends or close family members
• Semi-formal – to someone you know, but in a respectful context (e.g., landlord, teacher)

🧱 Letter Structure

• Greeting (Dear Sir/Madam or Dear John)
• Opening line explaining the purpose of the letter
• Main content responding to the 3 bullet points
• Closing line and sign-off (Yours sincerely / Best wishes)

📨 Formal Letter – Strong Sample

Prompt: You stayed at a hotel recently and were disappointed with the room service. Write a letter to the manager and:

• Explain what the issue was
• Describe how it affected you
• Say what you want the manager to do

Sample Answer:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the room service during my recent stay at your hotel from April 12 to April 15.

Despite requesting room cleaning twice on the second day, no one came. Additionally, my breakfast order was delayed by over an hour and arrived cold. I contacted reception, but there was no follow-up.

This lack of service disrupted my stay significantly as I was preparing for business meetings and expected a professional experience. I had chosen your hotel specifically based on its reputation for quality service.

I would appreciate it if you could look into the matter and refund the room service charges. I also suggest revising your housekeeping protocols to avoid similar experiences for other guests.

Yours faithfully,
Elena Petrova

💡 Highlights:

• Formal tone and polite expressions
• Each bullet addressed in a separate paragraph
• Precise language: “dissatisfaction,” “follow-up,” “protocols”

💌 Informal Letter – Strong Sample

Prompt: A friend is planning to visit your town. Write a letter to suggest where they can stay, what to do, and offer to meet them.

Sample Answer:

Dear Mike,

I was so excited to hear that you're finally coming to visit! It's been way too long since we caught up.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay, I recommend "The City Inn" – it’s central, affordable, and very cozy. If you’d rather crash at my place, you’re always welcome!

There’s lots to do! We can check out the riverside market, hike in Green Hills, or just chill at my favorite café. Don’t forget to bring your camera — the sunsets are stunning here.

Let me know your exact dates and I’ll make sure to take time off. Can’t wait to see you!

Best,
James

💡 Highlights:

• Friendly tone, contractions, casual phrases
• Natural flow and personal touch
• Uses all 3 bullet points directly

🧠 Common IELTS General Letter Topics

• Complaining about a product or service
• Requesting time off work
• Writing to a friend about travel or plans
• Thank-you or appreciation letters
• Providing information to someone

📘 Useful Phrases

Formal:

• I am writing to inform you...
• I would be grateful if you could...
• Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Informal:

• It’s been ages since we last spoke!
• Hope everything’s going well with you.
• Looking forward to catching up!

🧪 Practice Topics

• You ordered something online and it arrived broken. Write a letter to the company.
• Your friend is coming to your city and asked for recommendations. Write a letter to help.
• You need to request time off work. Write a letter to your manager explaining why.

Practicing both formal and informal styles will help you prepare for any variation in the IELTS General Task 1 exam. Focus on tone, structure, and specific vocabulary for the best results.

📣

Start improving now! Our IELTS Academic Exam Preparation and IELTS General Exam Preparation includes full exam simulations, band score calculation, and expert feedback to enhance your IELTS skills. Access free practice for the Reading and Listening sections, and take the Writing and Speaking exams with additional feedback for each section, powered by our tool, for just $5. Experience full, real exam-style practice with personalized insights for only $5!

IELTS Band Score