Formal, semi-formal or informal?
| Tone | Writing to | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Someone you don't know by name: a company, an official | Dear Sir or Madam, | Yours faithfully, |
| Formal | Someone you know by name but not personally: a manager, a landlord | Dear Mr Thompson, / Dear Ms Lee, | Yours sincerely, |
| Semi-formal | Someone you know: a neighbour, a colleague, a teacher | Dear Alex, / Dear Mrs Patel, | Best wishes, / Kind regards, |
| Informal | A friend or family member | Hi Sam, / Dear Sam, | Love, / Cheers, / See you soon, |
Keep the tone the same all the way through. Mixing very formal and very casual language is a common reason for losing marks.
A 4-paragraph template
- Opening (1–2 sentences): why you're writing. "I am writing to complain about…" / "I hope you're well. I'm writing because…"
- Bullet point 1: explain the situation, with specific details (dates, places, what happened).
- Bullet point 2: describe the problem, your feelings or the reasons.
- Bullet point 3: say what you want, request or suggest, then close politely.
Aim for 170–190 words. Plan for 3 minutes, write for 14, and check for 3.
Useful phrases for IELTS letters
| Purpose | Formal | Informal |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for writing | I am writing to enquire about… / to complain about… | Just a quick note to… / I wanted to tell you about… |
| Giving details | I would like to draw your attention to… | You won't believe what happened… |
| Complaining | I was disappointed to find that… | I was a bit annoyed that… |
| Requesting | I would be grateful if you could… / Could you please… | Could you…? / Would you mind…? |
| Apologising | I apologise for any inconvenience caused. | I'm really sorry about… |
| Suggesting | I would suggest that… / Perhaps it would be possible to… | How about…? / Why don't we…? |
| Closing | I look forward to hearing from you. | Can't wait to see you. / Write back soon! |
Model letters (with instant marking)
Each of these practice pages has a General Training letter task. Write your own letter, get an instant band estimate for all four criteria, then compare with the model:
- Writing practice 1: a formal letter to a landlord about broken heating
- Writing practice 2: a formal letter to a hotel about a lost item
- Writing practice 3: a semi-formal letter to a noisy neighbour
- GT letter practice: a formal complaint, an informal letter to a friend, and a job application
Common IELTS letter topics
- Complaining about a product, service, delivery or accommodation
- Asking for information about a course, job or event
- Writing to a landlord, neighbour or manager about a problem
- Thanking a friend, or inviting someone to an event
- Apologising for missing an appointment or event
- Applying for a job or volunteer position
Mistakes that cost bands
- Missing a bullet point, or covering one in only half a sentence.
- The wrong tone, like "Hi mate" to a company, or "Yours faithfully" to a friend.
- Too few details. "There is a problem with my flat" is vague. "The heater in the living room hasn't worked since Monday" is clear.
- Memorised phrases that don't fit, which examiners spot easily.
- Under 150 words. Check with our IELTS writing checker.
Unofficial practice. We wrote these questions to match the official IELTS question types and timings. They are not real exam questions, and points shown are practice feedback, not a band score. For official sample tests, visit ielts.org.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to write an address in the IELTS letter?
No. Start with the greeting (for example 'Dear Sir or Madam,'). Addresses and dates aren't needed and don't count towards the marks.
How do I know whether the letter should be formal or informal?
Look at who you're writing to. A company, manager, landlord or official you don't know: formal. Someone you know but not closely, like a neighbour or colleague: semi-formal. A friend or family member: informal.
What happens if I miss one of the bullet points?
Your Task Achievement score drops, usually by at least one band. Each bullet point should have its own paragraph, so it's easy to check.
Can I invent names and details?
Yes. Inventing realistic details (dates, places, names, what went wrong) makes your letter clearer and more natural. It's expected.