General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · complaint

Letter to manager regarding staff uniform dissatisfaction

Your company has recently introduced a new uniform for the staff. But you have learned that the staff members are not happy about it.

Write a letter to your manager about it. In your letter:

explain why you think the staffs are not happy with the new uniform
what you want the new uniform to be like
and give some suggestions to handle the situation

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 share some feedback regarding the recently introduced staff uniforms, as several colleagues have expressed significant dissatisfaction with the change.

The primary issue stems from the choice of fabric, which is synthetic and lacks breathability. Given that our floor staff spend long hours moving around the warehouse, many have reported feeling uncomfortable and overheated. Furthermore, the cut of the garments is quite restrictive, which hinders mobility during routine manual tasks.

It would be greatly appreciated if the company could consider a more ergonomic design. Ideally, the new uniforms should be crafted from a breathable cotton-blend material that allows for better airflow. Additionally, incorporating a slightly looser fit would significantly improve comfort and overall workplace efficiency.

To resolve this, perhaps we could trial a small focus group to test alternative prototypes before committing to a full-scale replacement. Alternatively, offering a choice of styles might cater to different roles within the team. I believe these minor adjustments would greatly boost morale.

Thank you for considering these concerns, and I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Rivers

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

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all bullet points with specific, logical suggestions while maintaining a professional yet constructive tone. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide actionable suggestions or using overly aggressive, unprofessional language that undermines the purpose of the communication.

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

dissatisfaction: a feeling of unhappiness because something is not good
synthetic: made from artificial substances rather than natural ones
breathability: the ability of a fabric to let air pass
ergonomic: designed to be comfortable and efficient for people
prototypes: the first versions of something from which others develop
morale: the level of confidence and positive feelings of staff

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.