General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · complaint

Formal Letter to Building Manager Regarding Noise Complaint

Your next-door neighbour likes to listen to music late at night. Because of the loud music, you often lose sleep.

Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter:

describe the situation
explain the problems it is causing you
offer at least one solution

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to formally report a recurring issue regarding excessive noise coming from apartment 4B. My next-door neighbour frequently plays music at a high volume late into the night, typically between midnight and 3:00 a.m.

This ongoing disruption has significantly impacted my quality of life. As a professional who begins work early each morning, the lack of sleep is causing me considerable fatigue and hindering my ability to perform effectively during the day. Furthermore, the constant bass vibrations make it impossible to study or relax in my own home during these late hours.

I have attempted to speak with the resident directly, but unfortunately, the situation remains unchanged. I suggest that you issue a formal written warning to the tenant regarding the building’s noise policy. Alternatively, perhaps a meeting could be arranged to discuss a compromise, such as the use of headphones after 11:00 p.m. to ensure the comfort of all residents.

I trust you will handle this matter with the necessary urgency to restore a quiet living environment.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Thorne

177 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response clearly addresses all three bullet points with a consistent, professional tone and precise vocabulary. The most common mistake in Band 6 answers is failing to offer a concrete, actionable solution, or using overly aggressive language that undermines the formal tone required for a building manager.

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.

Useful phrases from the letter

recurring: happening repeatedly or returning on many occasions
excessive: more than is considered normal or reasonable
disruption: a disturbance that interrupts an event or activity
fatigue: extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion
hindering: creating difficulties that result in delay or obstruction
urgency: importance requiring swift action or immediate attention

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS General writing

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Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How long should an IELTS General Training letter be?

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.