Structure and tone
How to write an IELTS request letter
The tone comes from the reader, not the purpose. In this set: 55 formal, 31 semi-formal, 17 informal.
The outline every sample here follows
- 1.Salutation: Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname. Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.
- 2.Opening: State the purpose of the letter in the first one or two sentences.
- 3.Body: One paragraph per bullet point, in the order given, each with a specific detail (a date, a name, a reason).
- 4.Closing line: Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
- 5.Sign-off: A sign-off that matches the salutation, then your name.
61 to 103 of 103
All IELTS request letter samples
- Letter to friends asking for housing assistanceYou will move to a new city for work. You know some people who live there.informal · request
- Letter to gym manager regarding a lost bagYou forget your bag in the gym and the gym management announced that it will be closed for a week for some renovation work. You need your bag as it has important things in it.formal · request
- Letter to gym manager regarding lost personal bagYou forgot your bag in the gym, and the gym management announced that it would be closed for a week for some renovation work. You need your bag as it has important things in it.formal · request
- Letter to Hilton Manager Regarding Lost Personal ItemYou have just spent a weekend staying at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide. When you get home you find that you have left a bag at the hotel.formal · request
- Letter to hostel superintendent requesting a room changeYou live in a room in the college hostel which has severe problems. You would like to move into another room and need your hostel super's permission for that.formal · request
- Letter to Hotel Manager Booking Weekend AccommodationYou are planning a weekend trip and need to book accommodation.formal · request
- Letter to insurance company regarding lost holiday itemOn a recent holiday, you lost a valuable item. Fortunately, you have travel insurance to cover the cost of anything lost.formal · request
- Letter to landlord regarding early lease terminationYou need to break your lease agreement early due to unforeseen circumstances.semi-formal · request
- Letter to landlord regarding early tenancy terminationYou live in a flat and you have a tenancy agreement which states that you must give three months' notice when you wish to leave. You have paid a deposit of two months' rent. Now a member of your family has a problem and you need to give up your flat and return home as soon as possible.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Landlord Regarding Proposed Rent IncreaseYour landlord wants to increase your house rent.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Landlord Requesting Lease ExtensionFive months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Landlord Requesting Temporary Rent ReductionYou have been a good tenant for years but are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.semi-formal · request
- Letter to landlord requesting urgent property repairsYour rental accommodation was recently damaged due to bad weather.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Lecturer Requesting Extension for Course ProjectYou are taking a course at a local college. The deadline for your project was last week but you haven't finished it.formal · request
- Letter to Local Official Requesting Community Center FundingYour local community center is in poor condition and needs funding for repairs.formal · request
- Letter to Lost Property Office Regarding Missing ItemsYou recently traveled by train and think that you left some of your possessions on the train.formal · request
- Letter to manager proposing an office celebration partyYou want to organise a party in your office to celebrate something.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting a computer replacementYou have been working in a company for the last two years. Recently, your computer in the office has started giving some problems and it is affecting your work performance.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Manager Requesting a Staff Relaxation RoomYou have noticed a room at your company office that can be used as a relaxation room.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting an internal department transferYou started in your present job two years ago. You now feel it is important for your career development to move to a different department in the same company.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting data analytics training for logisticsYou work for an international company. You have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your job.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting emergency leave of absenceYou are experiencing a family emergency and need to take a week off work at short notice.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting emergency personal leaveYou have a family emergency and need some time off work.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Manager Requesting Extended Personal LeaveYou need to take leave from your work for over one month for personal reasons.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting permission for a presentationYou recently attended a conference and you would like to give a presentation about the information you gained by attending the conference.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting professional development trainingYou work for a company. You have seen some information online about a training course that would be useful for your work.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting to present conference findingsYou recently attended a conference and you would like to give a presentation in your office about the information you gained by attending the conference.semi-formal · request
- Letter to movie theatre manager regarding lost jacketYou recently went to a movie theatre to enjoy a movie, but unfortunately, you left your jacket there.formal · request
- Letter to newspaper editor requesting a front-page advertisementYou want to rent out a small apartment to a family, and you have decided to advertise it.formal · request
- Letter to Property Agency Requesting Early Lease TerminationYou are renting a flat from an agency. Your contract was for one year but you need to leave the flat two months early.formal · request
- Letter to Railway Manager Regarding Lost LuggageYou have recently travelled on a train and unfortunately left your luggage.formal · request
- Letter to Student Services requesting a replacement ID cardYou have lost your student identification card. This has created some problems for you.formal · request
- Letter to Supervisor Requesting Early Semester LeaveYou are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event.semi-formal · request
- Letter to taxi manager regarding lost important documentsYou recently used a taxi and left some important documents there.formal · request
- Letter to the Principal Regarding Sports Facility ImprovementsYou are studying at a college which has very limited sports and leisure facilities for students.formal · request
- Requesting a job reference from a former teacherYou are applying for a job and need a letter of reference.semi-formal · request
- Requesting a job reference from a former university lecturerYou are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at college.semi-formal · request
- Requesting a six-month transfer to the head officeYou work for an international company and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country.semi-formal · request
- Requesting a two-year rental contract extensionYou have been living in a rented apartment for the last two years. Your rental agreement will expire in two months, but you want to extend it for another two years.formal · request
- Requesting Further Language Training from a ManagerYou and your colleagues have recently attended a foreign language training course organized by your company. Now you all want to do some more language training.semi-formal · request
- Requesting Newspaper Publication for International Social MeetingsYou are about to start social meetings in a particular area where people from different nationalities can take part.formal · request
- Requesting Research Access to the London LibraryYou are going to travel to London for about one week and spend two days visiting the London Library. You are studying for a project and want to do some background studies.formal · request
- Requesting University Accommodation for an Incoming International StudentYou have been offered a place at a university and wish to find suitable accommodation.formal · request
Frequently asked questions
Should an IELTS request letter be formal or informal?+
It depends on who you are writing to, not on the purpose. Of the 103 request letters here, 55 formal, 31 semi-formal, 17 informal. From the reader named in the prompt. An unnamed organisation or official is formal; a named person you deal with professionally is semi-formal; a friend or family member is informal.
How should I structure an IELTS request letter?+
Open with the purpose in one sentence, then one paragraph per bullet point in the order given. Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
How many words and how long for the letter?+
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes; 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Leave 40 minutes for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.
How is the letter scored?+
Scored on task achievement (purpose clear, all bullets covered, tone consistent), coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Task 1 is worth half of Task 2.
Keep going
Other IELTS letter types
- Formal letters · 266
- Semi-Formal letters · 88
- Informal letters · 129
- Complaint letters · 118
- Information letters · 67
- Application letters · 42
- Apology letters · 31
- Advice letters · 28
- Arrangement letters · 25
- Invitation letters · 19
- Thank-You letters · 15
- Landlord letters · 20
- All IELTS letter samples
- IELTS General Training writing practice
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