IELTS General Training Writing Task 1

483 IELTS letter samples with Band 8 answers

Every letter prompt in the BandLadder General Training bank, sorted by tone and purpose. Each page has the prompt, a Band 8 letter of about 180 words, the phrases that set its tone and what an examiner rewards. Getting the tone right is the first thing to decide: it follows from who you are writing to.

Formal letters

Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

Complaint

Request

Giving information

Application

Apology

Advice

Making arrangements

Invitation

Thanks

Other

Semi-formal letters

Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
Polite and friendly at once: a few contractions are fine, slang is not. Close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
State the purpose in the first two sentences; small talk costs words you need for the bullets.

Complaint

Request

Giving information

Application

Apology

Advice

Making arrangements

Invitation

Thanks

Other

Informal letters

Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.
Contractions, phrasal verbs and a warm opening line are expected; a stiff formal tone loses marks here.
Still cover every bullet in its own paragraph; friendly does not mean unstructured.

Request

Giving information

Apology

Advice

Making arrangements

Invitation

Thanks

Other

Next: Task 2 sample essays · this month's writing predictions · practise General Training writing