General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · complaint

Letter to a neighbor regarding persistent dog barking

Your neighbor's dog barks constantly and it is disturbing your sleep.

Write a letter to your neighbor. In your letter:

explain the problem you are having with their dog
describe how it is affecting you
suggest a way to resolve the issue amicably

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. Henderson,

I am writing to bring a matter to your attention regarding your dog, Buster, as I have been finding the current situation quite difficult to manage.

Over the past two weeks, Buster has been barking incessantly, particularly during the late evening and early morning hours. As our houses share a wall, the sound carries directly into my bedroom, making it nearly impossible to get a full night's rest. The constant noise has left me feeling exhausted and struggling to maintain my focus during my workday.

I understand that dogs can become anxious or bored, but the volume and timing of the barking are significantly impacting my wellbeing. Perhaps we could discuss a solution together? I would be happy to help look into local dog trainers or suggest some interactive toys that might keep him occupied while you are away. Alternatively, if there is a specific time you are usually out, I might be able to assist in keeping him company.

Please let me know when you might have a moment to chat about this. I truly value having you as a neighbor and hope we can resolve this matter amicably.

Best regards,

Alex Thompson

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

Why this scores well

This response achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural details and maintaining a polite, constructive tone throughout the complaint. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is using an overly aggressive or accusatory tone, which fails to suggest an amicable resolution as requested in the prompt.

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

incessantly: continuing for a long time without any pause
carries: the way sound travels through a specific space
wellbeing: the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
amicably: in a friendly and peaceable manner
insistently: firmly and repeatedly demanding attention or action
resolve: to find a solution to a difficult problem

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.