Structure and tone
How to write an IELTS thank-you letter
The tone comes from the reader, not the purpose. In this set: 5 formal, 3 semi-formal, 7 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.
15 letters
All IELTS thank-you letter samples
- Congratulating a close friend on their book publicationYour friend has had his/her first book published a few days ago. He/she has recently sent you a copy of that book.informal · thanks
- Letter to a colleague thanking them for lending a bookA colleague lent you a book that helped you to prepare for a presentation at work.semi-formal · thanks
- Letter to a friend thanking them for a giftYou recently received a lovely gift from a friend.informal · thanks
- Letter to a friend thanking them for dinnerOne of your friends invited you for a meal with his/her family in their home. You enjoyed the meal and had been happy to be introduced to his/her family.informal · thanks
- Letter to a friend thanking them for guidebookYou recently went on holiday, and your friend lent you a travel guidebook.informal · thanks
- Letter to a friend thanking them for hospitalityYou went to another city for a training course and stayed at a friend's house for a week. They have been great hosts.informal · thanks
- Letter to an English teacher expressing gratitudeYou have just arrived in an English-speaking country to study a course. Before you left your English teacher invited you to a dinner.semi-formal · thanks
- Letter to an English teacher expressing gratitude (why you liked his/her lessons)You recently completed a short-term course in an English-speaking country and found one of your teachers very good.semi-formal · thanks
- Letter to an old friend after a visitYou have recently been to stay with an old friend for a few days. You hadn't seen each other for a long time.informal · thanks
- Letter to Festival Organisers Congratulating on SuccessAn annual event was recently held in your area. Now you want to write to the organizers of this event congratulating them on a successful production.formal · thanks
- Letter to friends thanking them for holiday photosLast month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday.informal · thanks
- Letter to manager praising excellent staff supportYou recently visited a tourist attraction and you were very pleased with the help given to you by the staff.formal · thanks
- Letter to restaurant manager expressing gratitude for serviceYou recently enjoyed a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were very pleased with the food and service.formal · thanks
- Letter to restaurant manager thanking for birthday serviceYou celebrated your birthday with some friends last week in a restaurant. It was a great success and you and your friends enjoyed the evening very much.formal · thanks
- Letter to theatre manager regarding accident and staff assistanceYou recently visited a theatre and had an accident there. The staff was very helpful.formal · thanks
Frequently asked questions
Should an IELTS thank-you letter be formal or informal?+
It depends on who you are writing to, not on the purpose. Of the 15 thank-you letters here, 5 formal, 3 semi-formal, 7 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 thank-you 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
- Request letters · 103
- Information letters · 67
- Application letters · 42
- Apology letters · 31
- Advice letters · 28
- Arrangement letters · 25
- Invitation letters · 19
- Landlord letters · 20
- All IELTS letter samples
- IELTS General Training writing practice
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