Complete practice materials with model answers for Questions 1–10 and additional practice from Question 11 onward.
There are three main types of letters – Formal, Semi-formal and Informal.
Used for people or organisations you do not know personally, such as businesses, officials and company managers.
Greeting: Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]
Closing: Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely
Tone: Professional, objective and polite; avoid contractions.
Used for people you know formally and professionally, such as a landlord, employer, manager, colleague or neighbour.
Greeting: Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name]
Closing: Warm regards / Best regards
Tone: Polite and respectful, but warmer and more flexible.
Used for friends, relatives and people you know well.
Greeting: Dear [First Name]
Closing: Warmly / Best wishes / With love
Tone: Casual, conversational and natural.
Note: The answers are written by Netto C, Director, Camford Academy.
You and your family are moving to another country for work, and you are looking to buy a house there.
Write a letter to a property agent. In your letter, include:
Introduce yourself and your family
Describe the type of accommodation that you hope to find
Give your preference for the location of the accommodation
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to inquire about purchasing a residential property in your city, as my family and I are relocating from abroad next month due to a job transfer.
My family has four members: my wife, my two children, and myself. Both my wife and I plan to work, and both children will attend school. My older child is in the 10th grade, and the younger one is in the 8th grade.
We are looking for a two- or three-bedroom apartment with a spacious living room, a balcony, and a parking space. As we are on a tight budget, an affordable apartment would be the right choice. We hope to find a community where residents are open-minded and welcoming.
The location should ideally be within a 25-kilometer radius of the city center with good public transportation. We have already found a school for our children, which is 5 kilometers from the city center. We prefer a quiet area away from industrial zones.
I look forward to your positive response and assistance.
Sincerely,
Netto C
You and your friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were extremely dissatisfied with the experience.
Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter:
Explain the reason for the celebration
Give details of your visit to the restaurant
Say what you would like the restaurant to do
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the meal and the inhospitable attitude of your staff which we experienced last Sunday.
As one of our colleagues was leaving my company, a celebration was planned. Even though many suggested the Hyaat in the town centre, my choice was your restaurant which has an outstanding ambience with windows opening to the sea.
We, a group of 10 colleagues, dined at your restaurant. We ordered Spanish Paella and grilled fish lemon butter. But, instead, they served us with classic lasagna and beef stroganoff. As some of us are allergic to beef, a replacement was asked for which was turned down impolitely. Nonetheless, the beef was only half cooked. They not only turned down our request but also were rude and hostile.
As a regular customer, I urge you to train your staff in customer relations that will surely be beneficial to you. A restaurant should offer a variety of dishes but an expert chef is a blessing. So, have an experienced one on board who would create more customer satisfaction.
Hope you would consider my suggestions positive.
Thanks and regards
Netto C
You and your friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were very pleased with the food and service.
Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter:
Give details of your visit to the restaurant
Explain the reason for the celebration
Say what you liked about the food or service
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Dear Management,
I am writing to express my satisfaction with the meal and the hospitality of your staff during our visit last Sunday.
We planned a celebration because a colleague was leaving our company. Many people suggested the Hyatt in the town centre, but I chose your restaurant instead. Your place has an outstanding ambience, with windows that open to the sea.
A group of five colleagues dined at your restaurant. We felt overwhelmed by the large number of choices on your menu. The chef came to our table in person and suggested the classic lasagna and beef stroganoff. Without his help, we might have made the wrong choice. He clearly used fresh ingredients, which made the food much more aromatic than we expected. Everyone in our group was so enthralled by the chef’s culinary skills that the party became an unforgettable experience for us. The hospitality of your staff also made the dinner much more enjoyable.
Keep up the good work, and I wish you continued success in your business.
Thanks and regards, Netto C
You are enrolled in a study abroad course in another country. Your accommodation was arranged by the course provider, and there is a major problem with the accommodation.
Write a letter to the course provider. In your letter:
Introduce yourself and describe the problem
Describe the accommodation you thought you were getting
Ask the provider to solve the problem
Dear Sir,
I am writing to express my concern regarding the substandard accommodation arranged by the college. I am Netto C, enrolled in the first year of Industrial Chemistry. The room provided is so congested and messy that it has made my stay uncomfortable and bothersome, causing me to lose focus on my studies.
The accommodation described in the course flyers and brochures was meant to be reasonably large and suitable for student activities. It also highlighted a playing area in the hostel, which seemed to be a standout feature that many student hostels lack. However, you have allotted me a narrow, cubicle-like room in which I struggle a lot. I thought the hostel would have round-the-clock water and electricity. However, the room experiences power outages and water shortages, contrary to what was mentioned in the brochures.
I request you to find alternative accommodation that will reduce my stress and help me focus on my studies. As an international student, I face many vulnerabilities regarding the climate, culture, and academics. Without hassle-free accommodation, things could become worrying and precarious. If left unresolved, this predicament may lead to the discontinuation of my course.
Looking forward to your speedy action in this regard.
Sincerely, Netto C
You have been invited to attend an admissions interview for a prestigious college. Unfortunately, you cannot come at the proposed time due to a previous appointment.
Write a letter to the admissions tutor and explain your position. In your letter:
Introduce yourself and state your interest in the program
Apologize and offer to come at a different time
Ask how long the interview will be and if you will have to take an exam
Dear sir / madam,
I am thrilled to have been invited for an interview of your prestigious college. I am Netto C from Trivandrum, Kerala with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and an experience of 7 years in teaching. Even though I have received many interview calls, nothing has interested me as much as yours given the friendly working environment and attractive pay scales.
However, I regret to inform you that I will not be available for the scheduled interview at 10 am on the 5th of this month as I have to take my mother to SAT Hospital for a routine checkup. I am wondering if I could attend the interview at 12 pm. By then, I can make myself available at the college.
I have a few queries. I would like know how long the test would take and if I will have to undergo an exam as part of the interview. Please be kind enough to address these.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely
Netto C
During one of your visits to a shopping centre, you met with a minor accident. Write a letter to the manager of the shopping centre. In your letter, include:
. The date and time of the accident
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to bring to your attention an accident I suffered at approximately 10:00 AM on 18 July 2013 while shopping on the ground floor of your shopping centre.
While browsing in the grocery section, I suddenly slipped and fell against a vegetable rack because the floor was wet and slippery. As a result of the fall, I sustained a minor fracture to my left knee. To my dismay, none of your staff members came forward to assist me.
As safety is a matter of paramount importance, I would like to offer a few constructive suggestions. First, it would be beneficial to place visible warning signs on wet floors to prevent similar accidents. Furthermore, please consider maintaining a fully equipped first-aid kit on every floor. Finally, it would be greatly appreciated if basic first-aid training were provided to all staff members so they can respond effectively to emergencies.
I hope you find these suggestions constructive and take appropriate action.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature / Name]
You have just read an article in an International travel magazine which contained some information about your town that is incorrect. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine. In your letter:
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you as a loyal reader who has followed your publication for over a decade. While I greatly admire the quality of your magazine, I was disappointed to notice several factual inaccuracies regarding my hometown, Trivandrum, in your latest edition.
Specifically, the article states that Trivandrum lacks historical significance and tourist attractions compared to other Indian towns. Furthermore, it incorrectly describes the local people as being inhospitable. Contrary to these assertions, Trivandrum is rich in cultural heritage and boasts numerous historic landmarks, including the world-famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple—which dates back nearly 700 years—and magnificent royal palaces. Moreover, Trivandrum boasts one of the highest literacy rates in India, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality.
As an internationally renowned publication with a vast global readership, it is crucial that your magazine provides accurate information. Misleading descriptions can misinform prospective tourists and harm the reputation of a historic city. I kindly request that you publish a formal correction in your upcoming edition to rectify these inaccuracies. Highlighting Trivandrum's true cultural, historic, and natural appeal would ensureyour readers receive an accurate picture.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to seeing this rectified in your
next issue.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
IELTS LETTER 3: You have just moved into a new home and are planning to hold a party. You are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbor. Write a letter to your neighbor. In your letter:
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to introduce myself as your new neighbor who recently moved into the house next door.
To celebrate moving in, I am planning to host a small housewarming party next Saturday, 15th August. The event will begin around 6:00 PM in the backyard. We will be having a barbecue with a variety of food and drinks, as well as playing some background music. Since we have invited several family members and friends, it might get a little noisy during the evening. However, I will ensure that the music is turned down by 10:00 PM out of respect for your peace and quiet.
I would love for you to join us for the party so we can get to know each other better. Please feel free to drop by anytime after 6:00 PM for food and drinks.
I apologize in advance for any inconvenience the noise might cause. If it becomes too loud at any point, please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will gladly lower the volume.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Dear Alex,
I hope you’re doing well! It was great to hear from you, and I’m glad you reached out for my advice regarding whether to head back to college or jump into the job market. Personally, I strongly think getting a job would be the best move for you right now.
Going back to college after five years since graduation might not be as enjoyable as you think. The campus environment has changed quite a bit, and most of your classmates would be considerably younger than you. As an introvert, you might find it challenging to socialize and connect with a younger crowd, not to mention adjusting to rigid academic schedules again.
On the other hand, starting a job will give you financial independence, which is crucial at this stage of life. Relying on your parents for college fees and living expenses at this point might feel burdensome, whereas entering the workforce now will allow you to build work experience and gain steady career growth.
Given your background in computer science, applying for a position as a software or systems developer would be ideal. Your city has a booming tech industry, with top companies like Infosys and UST located in Technopark offering great entry-level roles. What you studied during your degree makes you a perfect fit for these positions.
I hope you find this advice helpful! Let me know what you decide, and I wish you all the best.
Warmly,
[Your Name]
You missed an international flight due to a problem at the airport.
Write a letter to the airline. In your letter:
Describe what happened that caused you to miss your flight
Explain how missing your flight impacted you
Clearly state what you would like the airline to do
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Customer Relations,
I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction regarding Air India flight AI222 from Delhi to Paris on January 14, which I missed due to an operational failure at your airport check-in area.
Although I arrived 4 hours before departure, an unexpected technical snag at your automated baggage drop counters caused massive queue delays. The line moved at a snail's pace for over two hours. My repeated requests for expedited processing seemed to fall on deaf ears, as no assistance was provided. To my dismay, boarding had closed before I could clear security.
Needless to say, the consequences of missing this flight were deeply distressing. It caused me significant distress and inconvenience. I missed my sister’s wedding ceremony, which was monumentally important to my family. My presence at the ceremony was a dream for my sister and family—a dream that was ruined by your staff’s improper handling.
Since this issue was caused entirely by an equipment glitch and inadequate ground management, I request a full refund for my unused ticket. Additionally, I expect reimbursement for the overnight hotel stay and transportation costs I incurred while rebooking.
I look forward to your prompt response and a swift resolution to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Netto C
ADDITIONAL PRACTICE IELTS LETTER QUESTIONS
Your local newspaper published an advertisement asking people to offer time for local environmental initiatives in your area.
Write a letter to the project manager to offer your help. In your letter:
Describe a local volunteer project that you are passionate about
Explain what you would like to do to help
Suggest how to gather more support for the cause
An old car was left on the street near your street several weeks ago. The car is now causing a problem for residents.
Write a letter to the Council. In your letter:
Describe the car
Outline the problems it is causing
Tell the Council what you want them to do about it
Write a letter to a company asking for a refund for something you bought from them online.
Write a letter to the Customer Service department. In your letter:
Describe the item you bought
Outline what the problem is
Explain why you want a refund
You have recently returned from an afternoon at your public library, and noticed various negative aspects that could be improved upon.
Write a letter to the manager of the public library. In your letter:
Describe the poor experience you had
Include ideas for what the library should change
Explain why you feel the library needs alteration
You have a suggestion for a park near your apartment building.
Write a letter to your city's council board. In your letter:
Describe who you are and what your suggestion is
Explain why you think this suggestion will improve the park
Detail when you would like to see this suggestion in action
You have seen an advertisement in the newspaper for a temporary job working as a Sales Representative during the holiday season. You decide to apply for the job.
Write a letter to the Hiring Manager of the company. In your letter:
Introduce yourself
Explain what experience and special skills you have
Explain why you are interested in the job
There have been some problems with public transport in your area recently.
Write a letter to the manager of the transport company. In your letter:
Describe the problems
Explain how these problems are affecting the public
Suggest some changes that could be made
You were recently impressed by a staff member at a supermarket.
Write a letter to the manager of the supermarket. In your letter:
Describe the situation
Explain how you were helped
State what you are going to do as a result of this good experience
You experienced a problem while visiting a store in your neighborhood.
Write a letter to the manager of the store. In your letter:
Describe the problem
Explain why this problem has upset you
State what you want to happen as a result of your letter
Last week, you lost your luggage while traveling on holiday. Luckily, you have travel insurance.
Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter:
Describe the characteristics of what you lost
Explain how you lost it
Tell the insurance company what you need from them
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You recently received a letter from a friend asking for your advice on whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/ she should get a job. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
say why she will not enjoy going to college
explain why getting a job is a good idea
Suggest the type of job that would be suitable.
Your next door neighbour owns a small dog that barks throughout the day and the night. Write a letter to your neighbour requesting that something be done about the dog. Include in your letter:
Your reason for writing
What you would like to happen
A nice, respectful style.
One of your friends wants to apply for a job at a summer school camp as a sports trainer. Write a letter to the camp manager to recommend your friend. In your letter:
say how well you know your friend
describe the qualifications and experience that your friend has
explain why your friend would be suitable for this job.
You are planning to take a vacation. Write a letter to a friend. In your letter:
describe the vacation spot you have chosen
explain how you plan to spend your time there
invite your friend to join you on your vacation.
You have a problem with a recently hired employee in your workplace. Write a letter to the HR manager. In your letter:
Describe the problem the new employee has caused
Explain how other employees about the new employee’s conduct
Say how you expect the HR manager to address the situation.
A restaurant has placed an advertisement for waiters and waitresses in your local newspaper. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write a letter to the restaurant, applying for the job. In your letter:
explain what you are currently doing
describe your suitability for this area of work
say when you can attend an interview.
You had some photos of your family taken by a professional photographer. Write a letter to the photographer. In your letter:
Say that you liked their photos of your family
Ask them to be your photographer at a special family event
Give them the details of the event.
You’re visiting a town where you once worked. Write to a friend you worked with there. Include the following in your letter:
Tell your friend about your life now
Give him/her details of your visit
Arrange how you can meet.
You work for an international company and you need some time off to attend a family celebration. Write a letter to the company’s manager. In your letter:
give details of the celebration
explain the reason why you need time off
suggest a way to have your work done during that time.
You have just won two tickets to a concert and want to invite your friend to go with you. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:
give details about the concert
describe how you won the tickets
explain why you’ve chosen your friend to go with you.
You currently live in a rental apartment, and the noise from your neighbours disturbs you. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter
describe how this situation affects you;
explain what steps you have taken to address the problem;
ask the landlord to take action to resolve the issue.
You have moved to another city but your bank has your old address and continues to send all communication there. Write a letter to your bank branch. In the letter, mention:
Where have you moved to?
What problem are you facing regarding the bank’s communication?
What you want them to do regarding old communication already sent to the wrong address?
You are going to teach English to your friend’s child. Write a letter to your past English teacher to ask if you can borrow some books from him/her. In your letter
tell your teacher about the child;
say when and where you will teach the child;
explain what books you would like to borrow.
A museum near your house is looking for people to do part-time voluntary/unpaid work. You would like to do some voluntary/unpaid work at the museum. Write a letter to the museum director to apply for voluntary/unpaid work in your letter:
Explain why you want to do voluntary/unpaid work at the museum
Describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful
Give details of when you would be available for work
Your next-door neighbour likes to listen to music late at night. Because of the loud music, you often lose sleep. Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter
describe the situation
explain the problems it is causing you
You are taking a course at a local college. The deadline for your project was last week but you haven't finished it. Write a letter to your lecturer. In your letter
introduce yourself
explain why you haven't handed in the project yet
request more time to do it.
You are a member of a sports centre and you have noticed a problem which has not been fixed for some time. Write a letter to the manager of the gym. In your letter
tell the manager about the problem
explain how this issue is affecting your experience at the gym
tell the manager what you would like to happen
You recently took a trip with a taxi company. The driver behaved in an unacceptable way and you had a lot of problems. You complained to the company but no one has replied to your complaint. Write a letter to the taxi company. In your letter
say why you are writing and how you feel
explain what happened
tell them what you would like them to do.
You have just moved into a new home and are planning to hold a party. You are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbour. Write a letter to your neighbour. You do NOT need to write any addresses. You should write at least 150 words. In your letter
introduce yourself
describe your plans for the party
invite your neighbour to come
You have recently missed a project deadline which resulted in your company losing an important client. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter
apologise for what happened
explain why you missed the deadline
tell him/her how you will avoid this situation in future.
Write a letter to the manager of the Lost and Found department of the railway regarding the luggage you accidentally left on the train. In your letter
give the details of your train trip
describe the luggage you left on the train
say what actions you want him/her to take.
You recently discovered that there are plans to build a new airport in your area and you are not happy with it. Write a letter to the local authority. In your letter,
Say how you found out about the plans
Explain what problems your neighbourhood will face
Suggest some possible solutions to those problems.
You and some friends ate a meal at a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, and you were very pleased with the food and services. Write a letter to the restaurant manager. In your letter
Give details of your visit to the restaurant
Explain the reason for the celebration
Say what was good about the food and the services
An English-speaking friend has written to you to ask you how your studies are going. Write a letter to the friend:
tell your friend how you are preparing for the exam.
tell him/her how you feel about it.
tell him your expectations.
You would like to invite your friend from abroad to a public event in your country. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
describe the public event
explain why you think he/she would like the event
write how you can help your friend with accommodation
You eat at your college cafeteria every lunchtime. However, you think it needs some improvements. Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter,
explain what you like about the cafeteria
Say what is wrong with it
Suggest how it could be improved
You recently sent some documents by post, but they did not arrive. Write a letter to the post manager. In your letter
Give details of the situation
Describe the documents
Say what action you want the post office to take.
You and a friend recently went on a holiday together. There is a problem with the photos you have taken during the holiday. Write a letter to your friend to ask for a particular shot. In your letter
tell him/her about the problem with your photos
say which photo you would like him/her to send you
explain why you need this photo.
Your ID card has been stolen. Write to the Local Police Station, giving details of
who you are
what happened
ask what you should do to get a new ID card
You are preparing an event in the countryside. Write a letter to your friend and ask for help with the arrangements. In your letter include:
what the event is
why the event is being held
what arrangements have already been made
how your friend can help
You have an appointment with your manager the next day. Write him/her a letter about what you’re going to discuss at the meeting. In your meeting, you should tell:
What did you do for the company during the years you worked there
What changes you would like to recommend
What training you require
You recently bought an electronic gadget for home purposes. Your friend wants the same gadget and needs your advice. In this letter you should include:
What is this gadget
What do you think about it
Give advice about other alternatives your friend can buy
Your company has sent you on a three-month course in another country. The course is coming to an end but you would like to prolong your stay. Write a letter to your manager, in your letter:
Describe how the course has benefited you
Explain why you would like to delay your return
Suggest a date when you would like to come back
You live near a public school. The school asked local residents to help maintain the school building and playground. Write a letter to the principal. In your letter:
Explain why you would like to help
Tell them how you can help
Let them know when you are available
A neighbour has damaged your car while parking his/her car in the lane in front of your house. Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter:
Explain why you’re writing
Describe the damage to your car and express your feelings about it
Recommend what steps he/she should take to resolve the situation
You recently bought an electric gadget for your home. Your friend wants the same gadget and needs your advice. In this letter you should include:
What the gadget is
What you think about it
Advice about other alternatives your friend could buy
You have been asked to do a presentation and you would need help with setting up the equipment. Write a letter to your colleague, in your letter:
Let him/her know when and where the presentation will take place
Tell him/her what equipment you will need
Explain how him/her can help you
You have an upcoming meeting with your manager to discuss your performance in the past year. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:
Describe your achievements in the past year
Say what areas/skills you need to improve on
Suggest a plan to improve those skills/areas
You would like to invite your friend from abroad to a public event in your country. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Invite him/her to the event
Explain why you think he/she would like the event
Tell him/her about the other activities you can do
You use the local swimming pool often, and during one of your visits, you encountered a problem. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter
describe what the problem was
tell what the swimming pool staff have done about it
suggest your own solution to the problem.