General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · request

Requesting University Accommodation for an Incoming International Student

You have been offered a place at a university and wish to find suitable accommodation.

Write a letter to the accommodation officer including the following information. In your letter:

the type of accommodation you wish to find
some details about yourself
any special requirements you may have
and any other relevant information

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 formally request assistance in securing suitable accommodation for the upcoming academic year, as I have recently been accepted into the Master of Science in Data Analytics programme starting this September.

I am looking for a single-occupancy studio apartment located within walking distance of the main campus. Ideally, I would prefer a quiet environment that facilitates focused study, preferably within a university-managed residence hall to ensure proximity to library facilities.

Regarding my profile, I am an international student from Japan, aged twenty-four. I am a non-smoker, lead a quiet lifestyle, and am generally very tidy. I value a respectful communal atmosphere where academic pursuits are prioritised.

As for special requirements, I have a mild allergy to dust mites, so I would greatly appreciate a room with hardwood flooring rather than carpeting. Furthermore, I would require a stable, high-speed internet connection to support my research, as well as a desk that provides sufficient space for my dual-monitor setup.

Could you please inform me of the current availability and the necessary steps to finalise a booking? I look forward to your guidance on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Kenji Tanaka

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

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all four bullet points with specific, relevant detail while maintaining a professional and polite tone throughout. The most common mistake in Band 6 answers is failing to provide enough detail about personal requirements or using an overly casual tone that is inappropriate for a university official.

Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

Useful phrases from the letter

securing: successfully obtaining or achieving something difficult
single-occupancy: designed for use by only one person
facilitates: makes an action or process easier
non-smoker: a person who does not smoke tobacco
communal: shared by all members of a group
finalise: complete the last part of a plan

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?

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

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.