General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · complaint

Letter to neighbors regarding shared parking area concerns

You share a parking area with several neighbors and have recently started having problems.

Write a letter to be copied to all neighbors that share the parking area. In that letter. In your letter:

explain the problems
suggest ways to help the situation
propose a possible meeting

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

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Neighbors,

I am writing to address some growing difficulties we have been experiencing in our shared parking area recently. As we all rely on this space daily, it is important that we maintain it as a functional and accessible environment for everyone.

Lately, several vehicles have been parked outside of marked bays, which frequently blocks access to my designated spot and makes maneuvering difficult for others. Additionally, there has been an accumulation of discarded items and cardboard boxes left in the corner of the lot, which is not only unsightly but also creates a potential safety hazard for those walking to their cars at night.

To improve the situation, could we please ensure that all vehicles are parked strictly within the white lines? I also suggest that we designate a specific day for the removal of any large waste items to keep the area clear. Perhaps we could also look into installing brighter motion-sensor lighting to enhance visibility.

Would you be available for a brief meeting this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the parking area to discuss these suggestions? I look forward to hearing your thoughts so we can resolve these issues amicably.

Best wishes,

James Thornton

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

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response fully addresses all three bullet points with a coherent structure, logical flow, and a consistent semi-formal tone appropriate for community neighbors. A common Band 6 error is failing to propose a specific meeting time or providing vague suggestions that do not offer a practical solution to the problem.

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

functional: designed to be practical and useful rather than attractive
maneuvering: moving or turning a vehicle with skill and care
accumulation: a gradual gathering of objects over a period of time
designated: officially assigned or chosen for a particular purpose
amicably: in a friendly and peaceable manner without any disagreement
accessibility: the quality of being easy to reach or enter

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.