Contents
What are you looking for?
Reading the questions
Content
You should note that each IELTS letter question asks you to do 3 things (for example “introduce yourself”). Before you start writing, you should underline in the question everything you need to include. If you fail to include any of these items, you will be penalised on your band score.
Formal/informal
Before you start writing, you should decide whether the letter is more formal or less formal. If you are writing to someone you don’t know, it will be more formal; if you are writing, to a friend, it will be more informal.
Choosing your vocabulary
Before you start writing, you decide what type of vocabulary you will need. This will include:
- topic vocabulary
- letter writing phrases
You will find a selection of good letter writing phrases to download on my letter vocabulary page.
Informal
Invitations
You won a competition and received a vacation for two as a prize. Write a letter to ask them to go on holiday with you. In the letter, you should:
- tell him/her about the competition you won,
- state what kind of vacation it is,
- explain why you would like him/her to go on holiday with you
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Model letter and lesson with advice on 6 different ways to make your letters more informal
A friend who lives in another country has invited to you come and stay with him/her on your next holiday. You are too busy to accept the invitation
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- Thank him/her for the invitation
- Explain why you cannot come
- Give him/her your other news
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Some advice
Your friend is an expert in international food and is going to publish a book soon.Write a letter to him describing a special dish from your country. In your letter you should
- describe a special dish from your country
- explain what season people prefer to eat it in
- say why your friend should include this dish in his book
See sample letter with helpful topic vocabulary and letter writing phrases
An English-speaking friend has written to you to say that he/she is planning to visit your country.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- give advice about where he/she should go
- explain what the best time of year to come is
- invite him/her to stay with you for a few days
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Semi-formal
A request
You are not happy with the course you are doing at college and would like to change to a different course. Write a letter to the college director requesting to change your course. You should include details about:
- what course are you doing now
- why you are not satisfied with that course
- what course would you like to change to
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
An explanation
You are staying in rented accommodation. You recently held a party to celebrate your birthday. Several neighbours have complained about the noise to your landlord.
Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:
- apologise for the disturbance
- explain the situation
- say how you will remedy the situation
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Formal
A complaint
You have just bought a new mobile phone from a website on the internet. When it was delivered, the phone was faulty.
Write a letter to the website. In the letter:
- introduce yourself
- explain the situation
- state what action you want to be taken
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Lesson with sample letter to download
An application
You are looking for part-time employment.
Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter
- introduce yourself
- explain what type of work you are looking for
- say what experience and skills you have
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Letter writing tips
