General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · other

Letter to a neighbor regarding boundary fence dispute

There is a dispute between you and your neighbor over a boundary fence.

Write a letter to your neighbor. In your letter:

state your understanding of the boundary issue
explain your concerns regarding the current fence
suggest discussing it in person to find a fair solution

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear Mr/Ms [Name],

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Mr Thompson,

I am writing to discuss the ongoing situation regarding the boundary fence situated between our two properties. As we have both recently reviewed our property deeds, it appears there is some uncertainty regarding the exact placement of the dividing line.

My primary concern is that the current wooden fence has begun to lean significantly into my garden due to rot at the base. This instability makes it a potential safety hazard, especially during high winds, and it is also failing to provide the privacy and security that a boundary structure should offer. I am worried that if left unaddressed, the fence may collapse entirely, causing damage to my landscaping.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you in person so that we can reach a fair and amicable solution. Perhaps we could look at the property survey together and decide on how best to repair or replace the structure while sharing the costs equitably. Please let me know when you might be available for a brief chat this weekend.

I look forward to resolving this matter cooperatively.

Best wishes,

Julian Smith

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

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by maintaining a polite, constructive tone while clearly addressing all prompt requirements with natural, specific detail. A common Band 6 error is adopting an overly aggressive or accusatory tone, which fails to meet the semi-formal register expected when communicating with a neighbor.

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.

Useful phrases from the letter

boundary: The physical line marking the limit of land
property deeds: Legal documents proving ownership of a specific plot
rot: The process of decaying or becoming decomposed wood
hazard: A danger or risk to people or property
amicable: Characterized by friendliness and absence of conflict
equitably: In a fair and impartial manner for everyone

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?

Semi-formal. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.

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.