General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · advice

Letter to manager proposing reception area improvements

There 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.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

describe the complaints that have been made
say why the reception area is important
suggest how the reception area could be improved

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 address the recent feedback regarding our company’s reception area, as you requested. Several visitors have expressed frustration, primarily regarding the lack of comfortable seating and the confusing signage, which often leaves them feeling stranded upon arrival.

Our reception area serves as the frontline of our corporate identity. It is the first point of contact for prospective clients and partners, and its current state fails to reflect the professional standards we uphold. A welcoming environment is essential for establishing immediate trust and setting a positive tone for our business meetings.

To address these issues, I propose a few cost-effective improvements. Firstly, replacing the current plastic chairs with ergonomic, modern seating would significantly enhance visitor comfort. Secondly, installing a clear, illuminated directory board would eliminate confusion by guiding guests directly to their intended departments. Finally, adding a small self-service beverage station would make the wait experience far more hospitable.

I believe these adjustments would greatly improve our professional image. I am available to discuss the budget requirements at your earliest convenience.

Kind regards,

Alex Rivers

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

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response clearly addresses all three bullet points with professional, cohesive suggestions that maintain a consistent, appropriate tone. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to link the importance of the reception area to the company's image, or providing vague suggestions like 'make it look better' without concrete details.

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

frontline: the most important or visible position in an organisation
uphold: to maintain or support a particular standard or policy
cost-effective: providing good value for the money spent on it
ergonomic: designed to be comfortable and efficient for the user
hospitable: friendly and welcoming to guests or visitors
at your earliest convenience: as soon as it is easy or suitable for you

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.