Structure and tone
How to write an IELTS advice letter
The tone comes from the reader, not the purpose. In this set: 2 formal, 3 semi-formal, 23 informal.
The outline every sample here follows
- 1.Salutation: Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname. Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.
- 2.Opening: State the purpose of the letter in the first one or two sentences.
- 3.Body: One paragraph per bullet point, in the order given, each with a specific detail (a date, a name, a reason).
- 4.Closing line: Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
- 5.Sign-off: A sign-off that matches the salutation, then your name.
28 letters
All IELTS advice letter samples
- Advice for a friend's sister regarding studying abroadThe younger sister of one of your friends is thinking about spending a year studying abroad as part of her university course. You did this recently, and she has asked you about your experience.informal · advice
- Advising a friend on choosing employment over collegeYou recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he /she should get a job.informal · advice
- Letter recommending a local product to a friendOne of your friends in a foreign country is starting an import-export business, and he has asked you to recommend a product from your country to him.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend about their upcoming visitA friend has written a letter to you informing you about his or her plan to visit your country/city.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend advising on an environmental science courseYour friend is considering taking the same course as you at university. He/she has asked for your advice on studying this subject.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend advising on university coursesA friend of yours is thinking about applying for the same course that you did at university. He/She has asked for your advice about studying this subject.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend advising on university studiesYou have a friend who is about to enter university, and he wants you to advise him on which subject to specialize in history, in which he is very interested, or computer science, which offers better job prospects.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend giving advice on visiting parentsYour friend has written a letter to you asking for advice regarding a visit that his/her parents will be making to your area in the near future.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend giving driving adviceYour friend is thinking about learning to drive and would like some advice.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend offering camping holiday adviceA friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He/She has asked for your advice.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend offering relocation adviceA friend from another country is moving to your city for work. He / she has asked you for advice about living in your city.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend planning their upcoming visitA friend from another country is planning to visit your city.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend recommending a holiday destinationA friend of yours is going on holiday soon and has asked you to recommend a destination.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend recommending a travel destinationOne of your friends plans to go sightseeing in your country. You used to live in a place that you think she might enjoy visiting.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend recommending city sightsAn English-speaking friend is going to visit your city for the first time for a weekend trip and asked for some advice on what to see and eat.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend regarding their upcoming holidayAn English-speaking friend wants to spend a two-week holiday in your region and has written asking for information and advice.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend regarding their upcoming visitA friend has written a letter informing you about his or her plan to visit your country/city.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend seeking career change adviceYou are considering a career change and want advice from a friend.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend struggling at new schoolA good friend has just changed schools and is having difficulty fitting in and needs your advice.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend suggesting birthday celebration ideasYour friend is about to celebrate a landmark birthday and would welcome suggestions as to how it should be celebrated.informal · advice
- Letter to a friend suggesting travel destinationsAn English-speaking friend is working in your hometown. He is planning to visit another town in your home country.informal · advice
- Letter to colleague suggesting retirement party plansThe manager at the company you work for is going to retire next month. The manager's assistant has invited some suggestions about what kind of event they should do to say goodbye to him.semi-formal · advice
- Letter to Company Suggesting Community Funding PrioritiesA large company in your area has decided to spend a certain amount of money, either to sponsor a local children's sports team for two years or to pay for two open-air concerts. It has asked for feedback from the general public.formal · advice
- Letter to friend advising against buying a houseA friend is considering buying a house nearby, but you have decided to leave the area due to a rise in crime.informal · advice
- Letter to Library Manager Suggesting Service ImprovementsYour local library wants to improve its services and facilities.formal · advice
- Letter to manager proposing reception area improvementsThere have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.semi-formal · advice
- Letter to manager requesting guidance regarding workplace conflictYou Are Experiencing Problems with A Colleague at Work and You Want to Ask Your Boss for Some Advice.semi-formal · advice
- Letter to uncle suggesting a destination for reunionYou have an extended family and every year you all get together to go on a family trip for a week. Your uncle is in charge of the plans this year and you would like to suggest a place you have visited lately.informal · advice
Frequently asked questions
Should an IELTS advice letter be formal or informal?+
It depends on who you are writing to, not on the purpose. Of the 28 advice letters here, 2 formal, 3 semi-formal, 23 informal. From the reader named in the prompt. An unnamed organisation or official is formal; a named person you deal with professionally is semi-formal; a friend or family member is informal.
How should I structure an IELTS advice letter?+
Open with the purpose in one sentence, then one paragraph per bullet point in the order given. Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
How many words and how long for the letter?+
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes; 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Leave 40 minutes for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.
How is the letter scored?+
Scored on task achievement (purpose clear, all bullets covered, tone consistent), coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Task 1 is worth half of Task 2.
Keep going
Other IELTS letter types
- Formal letters · 266
- Semi-Formal letters · 88
- Informal letters · 129
- Complaint letters · 118
- Request letters · 103
- Information letters · 67
- Application letters · 42
- Apology letters · 31
- Arrangement letters · 25
- Invitation letters · 19
- Thank-You letters · 15
- Landlord letters · 20
- All IELTS letter samples
- IELTS General Training writing practice
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