IELTS GENERAL

TASK 1
LETTER WRITING
 Contents
• Duration and format

• Basic rules for IELTS letter

• Four step strategy for letter writing

• Factors of assessment

• Tips for IELTS letter

• Useful ‘stock’ phrases

• Sample IELTS letters

• Questions for practice

 Duration And Format
• In Task 1 ( only for IELTS GENERAL) candidates are given a problem in the
form of writing a letter, requesting information or explaining situation.

• The time duration is 20 minutes.

• In this part, candidates are tested for their ability to respond to a given
problem in the form of writing a letter, requesting for information or
explanation of a situation.

• The nature of the letter can be formal or informal depending on the

question.
 Basic rules for IELTS letter
• Leave a single blank line after the initial line.

( Dear…...........….. )

• Divide your piece of writing into paragraphs

• The sign off line ( yours sincerely/yours faithfully etc) is usually written on
the left side of the page, as is your name below it. Left alignment for all the
lines is better.

• The final paragraph ( the one before the sign off line) is generally shorter
than the other paragraphs.
 Basic rules for IELTS letter
• NOTE: In IELTS General Letter Writing, it is not necessary for you to give-

1. Your name or address.

2. The date.

3. The name of the addressee.

4. Your name or signature

What matters is the format and the content. It is the content that you
are assessed for.
 Strategy for letter writing
Steps Suggested Time Details

Step 1 2 minutes 1. Understand the topic

Read and understand 2. Understand the
the task question
3. Understand the
requirements

Step 2 3 minutes 1. Plan the letter

Plan what you are going
to write
 Continued….

Step 3 12 minutes 1. Greet 2.State the

Write your answer on purpose 3.Give
the answer sheet information 4.
Request action 5.
Close and sign-off

Step 4 3 minutes 1. Check the content

Check your writing 2. Check the language
3. Check the
Presentation
 STEP 1
Read and Understand the
question
Look at the following question:

You borrowed some books from your school or college library. Unfortunately,
you have to go away to visit an ailing relative of yours and cannot return the
books in time. Write a letter to the library, explaining the situation and telling
them what you want to do about it.

Here you are asked to write a formal letter on why you could not return the
books you have taken from the library and how you are going to compensate for
it.
 STEP 2
Plan the letter
First Paragraph: Introduce The Topic

For example:

Please be advised that I took three books from the library on a five day loan
scheme, on the 15th of March. They are now overdue.
 STEP 2
Plan the letter
Second Paragraph – Explain the situation and reason

For example:

I regret to inform you that I am not able to return these books before the
due date. I received an urgent call from home on 16th March and I was told
that my mother was hospitalised. Since there was nobody to look after her, I
had to leave urgently. The doctor told me that she had to have at least two
weeks rest. I have no other way but to stay with her here.
 STEP 2
Plan the letter
Final Paragraph - Suggestion to compensate for the delay

For example:

I know that these books are meant for others also. I assure you that as soon
as I return to the college, I will bring the book to you. It would be appreciated,
if you would waive any fines that might have accumulated.
 Sample letter
Dear…….....,

Sub : Delay in returning books

Please be advised that I took three books from the library on a five day
loan scheme, on the 15th of March. They are now overdue.

I regret to inform you that I am not able to return these books before
the due date. I received an urgent call from home on 16th March and I was told
that my mother was hospitalized. Since there was nobody to look after her, I had
to leave urgently. The doctor told me that she had to have at least two weeks
rest. I have no other way but to stay with her here.

I know that these books are meant for others also. I assure you that
as soon as I return to the college, I will bring the books to you. It would be
appreciated, if you would waive any fines that might have accumulated.

Yours faithfully,
Name
 Factors for assessment
The examiner assess your writing ability according to how well you can do the
following :

• Express your wants

• Give opinions

• Make complaints

• Express your likes and dislikes

• Ask for or give factual information

 Tips for IELTS letter
• Use simple and short sentences

• Be creative and innovative in your expressions

• Try to convince the reader

• Your language must be courteous and polite

• Draft your letter with great care and patience.

• Avoid spelling as well as grammatical mistakes in your letter

• Express your ideas very clearly and forcefully.

 Useful ‘stock’ phrases
The following introductory phrases can be completed with statements of
your own :

1. I would like to inform you that…………….

2. I would appreciate if you would…………..
3. I write this to inform you is that…………..
4. I am writing this to you because…………
5. I regret to inform you that…………
6. As you are probably aware,…………………
7. Please be advised that……………….
8. It is with delight I write this………………….
9. This is in response to your recent letter in which………….
10. I am anxious to obtain some information from you about……………
 Useful final paragraph stock
phrases
A formal or semi-formal letter usually ends with a final paragraph that is
shorter than the main paragraphs. It often begins with a stock phrase. The
stock phrase may also come at the end of the final paragraph:

• Please drop me a line soon.

• I look forward to receiving your reply.
• I look forward to hearing from you soon.
• Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
• Thank for your cooperation and I hope to hear from you soon.
• I shall be grateful, if you would attend to this matter as soon as possible.
• Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries on this matter.
• I regret to put you in trouble but I trust that you will understand when you
see what actually happened.
 Useful sign-off phrases
Formal-Semi Formal

• Yours faithfully, ( For business letters )

• Regards, ( Regards s less formal, but commonly used in business
letters)
• Yours affectionately, ( For relatives )

Note : Never add an apostrophe on “ yours”

Informal
• Yours Sincerely, ( for friends)
• Yours Truly , ( for personal letters to friends in business)
• With best wishes , ( for personal letters to friends )
 Some more useful phrases and
expressions
1. I wish to draw your attention to……………
2. I would like to bring to your kind notice………………
3. I regret to inform you………………..
4. I am deeply pained/grieved to note……………….
5. You will be pleased to note that………….
6. I am pleased to inform you that………………
7. I am delighted to learn that…………..
8. Looking forward to seeing you……………..
9. We would appreciate more details about……………
10. We shall be happy to reciprocate your request…………….
 Continued.....
11. I should be glad to hear from you as soon as……………
12. I look forward to meeting you very soon……….
13. I shall be grateful, if you would look into…………
14. I owe you a debt of gratitude on behalf of………….
15. This is with reference to your letter……………….
16. Thanking you once again…………..
17. Please send me all details regarding……………
18. It is really delightful to learn that…………….
19. Expecting a favorable response………….
20. We are glad to hear the good tidings………….
21. We regret the inconvenience caused to…………….
22. We apologise for the delay in replying……………………
 Sample Question

You share your room with another student in the college hostel. You find it very
difficult to study there because he or she always has parties and friends
visiting. Write a letter to the hostel warden complaining about your displeasure
with the room-mate.
 Sample Answer
Dear………..,

I am sharing my room with another student. I am writing this letter to

express my displeasure with my room –mate. If I stay there any longer I will
not be able to study.

She always has friends visiting and has parties in the room. They make a
lot of noise and turn on the radio at full blast. The environment is very
difficult for me to study and I need a quiet room. She even takes my things
without asking for my permission which I feel is very impolite.

I had asked her to arrange parties in some other place, but many times
they still have parties in the room. I really cannot stay in the same room with
her any longer. I request you, if you can, to give me another room next term.
I would be grateful if you could change me to a single room.

Yours faithfully,
Name
 Sample question

A large bill board stands before your house, which is troublesome for you. Write
a letter to the local authority explaining this problem and suggest ways for its
resolution.
 Sample Answer
Dear………………,

I am writing to you concerning a huge bill board in front of my house. This

board really troubles me.

Our master bed room is just behind this board and it obstructs sunlight and
air from entering our house. I am a working woman. When I come back from
work, I would like to rest for a while in peace and tranquility with some fresh
air blowing into the house. The bill board does not allow any of these. Bushes
and shrubs grow wild under it which can provide safe havens for snakes. This
has increased my anxiety about the safety of my children who always play
under the tree and hang on its branches.

I request you to take immediate steps to remove this nuisance and relocate
it at the nearby junction where it will not cause any obstructions to residents
or traffic.

Prompt action on your part will be appreciated.

Yours faithfully,
Name
 Sample Question

You were on a pleasant trip and had rented a flat there from your friend who
was on a holiday. Write a letter to your friend how you felt about the trip and
how you did take care of his house in his absence.
 Sample Answer
Dear………..,

First of all, may I express my heartfelt thanks for letting me stay in your flat.
I hope you have enjoyed your official tour in Egypt as much as I enjoyed my
stay in Kerala.

Now you must be wondering what has happened to your goldfish. You
would have noticed that they were a bit smaller. This may have come as a
bit of a surprise to you, but I expect you have guessed what has come
about. It is a bad news, I’m afraid. The fish you are now in possession of are
a pair that I bought to replace yours which were both lifeless when I arrives
in your flat on 10th August.

I hope I have left everything in the right place. Enough money is kept by
the phone to cover the few local calls I made. I’m dying to see you again, so
I do hope you can make it to the party. If not, see you in Kerala during the
Onam festival.

Yours faithfully,
Name
 Sample Question

A few days back you were travelling by plane and lost a baggage en route.
Write a letter to the airport authorities enquiring whether they found the
baggage and how you can reclaim it.
 Sample Answer
Dear…………,

I am writing in connection with a bag I left on one of your aeroplanes.

Last week on Sunday, August 9th I came to New Delhi by Air India flight
from New York. My seat number was K5. The plane arrived early in the
morning and I was too sleepy. As a result, when I got home, I realised that I
had left my handbag on the plane under the seat in front of me. My bag is a
small, black one. Inside the bag there are three partitions. In it I had kept a
pen, a paperback I was reading, some car keys and my diary.

Therefore, would your lost property department check and see if they have
found my bag and contact me as soon as possible.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Name
 Questions for practice
• You were planning a tour with your family to a tourist destination. Write a
letter to a hotel manager asking about the availability of accommodation for
the days you will be there and also tell him what type of room you prefer.

• You bought an electronic equipment and within two days it started to go

wrong. Write a letter to the shopkeeper about your dissatisfaction with the
product and service. Ask him to find proper solution for the problem.

• You are employed fulltime and also doing a part time evening course. You
are not able to continue the course. Write a letter to the course director. In
the letter, explain why you cannot continue the course, describe the
situation, say what you will be doing. Write at least 150 words.

• You cannot accept the job offer of a company. Write a letter to the HR
supervisor to explain the reason why you decline the offer, express your
gratitude, explain you like your current job very much. You should write at
least 150 words.
 Questions for practice
• 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 write
at least 150 words.

• A friend of yours is going on holiday soon and has asked you to recommend
a destination. Write at least 150 words.

• Write a letter to your friend and recommend a good place for a holiday that
you have visited before. Say where you went, where you stayed, what you
can do there and what the food was like. You should write at least 150
words.

• As part of a student social survey project, you are organizing a group to visit
a historical exhibition in a small town. Write a letter asking for information
regarding such things as the contents of the exhibition, and the dates of its
opening and closing, and if there are any discounts available. You should
write at least 150 words.
Thank You