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IELTS General Training letter topics
General Training Task 1 letter questions grouped by purpose. Each one has the right greeting and sign-off, a paragraph plan and a band-8 model letter.
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Complaint
- FormalComplaint about broken gym equipmentYou recently joined a gym, but several of the machines have been out of order for weeks.
- FormalLost luggage on a flightYou flew with an airline last week and your suitcase did not arrive at your destination.
- FormalPoor service at a family celebrationYou held a family celebration at a local restaurant, but the service was very poor.
- FormalComplaint about a faulty laptopYou bought a laptop from an online shop, but it stopped working after two weeks.
- FormalNoisy building site near your homeA building site near your home has been very noisy early in the morning for the past month.
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- FormalComplaint about a dirty hotel roomYou stayed in a hotel last weekend and your room was not clean when you arrived.
- Semi-formalNeighbour's loud music at nightYour neighbour has been playing loud music late at night and it is stopping you from sleeping.
- Semi-formalHeating not working in a rented flatThe heating in your rented flat has not worked for two weeks and it is now very cold.
- Semi-formalToo much homework for your childYour child's class has been given far more homework than usual and your child is exhausted.
- Semi-formalColleague leaving the office untidyA colleague who shares your office often leaves the kitchen and desk area untidy.
- Semi-formalPoor evening class roomThe room used for your evening class is cold, noisy and too small.
- InformalFriend cancelling plans againA close friend has cancelled plans with you at the last minute for the third time.
- InformalFlatmate not washing upYour flatmate never washes his dishes and the kitchen is always a mess.
- InformalNoisy hotel a friend recommendedYou went on holiday with a friend who recommended a hotel, but it turned out to be noisy and dirty.
- InformalCousin returning a damaged bikeYour cousin borrowed your bicycle and returned it damaged.
- InformalLazy group project teammateYou and a friend are in a group project, but another team member is doing nothing.
- InformalPen friend not replyingA pen friend used to write to you every week but has not replied for two months.
Request
- FormalAsking a library to open laterYou are a student and would like your local library to open later in the evenings.
- FormalEvening photography course detailsYou are interested in taking an evening course in photography at a local college.
- FormalReference from a former managerYou are applying for a new job and need a reference from your previous manager.
- FormalRefund for cancelled concert ticketsA concert you had bought tickets for has been cancelled, and you would like your money back.
- FormalAssignment extension due to illnessYou are a university student and you cannot finish an assignment on time because you have been ill.
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- FormalHolding a charity run in the parkYou would like to organise a charity run in your local park next spring.
- Semi-formalNeighbour looking after your catYou are going away for a week and need someone to look after your cat.
- Semi-formalPermission to repaint a rented flatYou would like to repaint the walls of the flat you are renting.
- Semi-formalTime off for a family weddingYou would like to take two days off work next month to attend a family wedding abroad.
- Semi-formalExtra help before an examYou are struggling with one subject and have an important exam in a month.
- Semi-formalAsking a colleague to cover a shiftYou have an urgent hospital appointment and cannot work your usual shift on Friday.
- InformalBorrowing a friend's cameraYou are going on a trip and would like to borrow a friend's good camera.
- InformalHelp with moving houseYou are moving into a new flat next weekend and need some help.
- InformalStaying at a friend's flatYou are visiting a city where an old friend lives, and you need somewhere to stay for a few nights.
- InformalWatering plants and collecting postYou are going abroad for a month and need someone to look after your home.
- InformalAsking a friend for a book to readYou are going on a long train journey and would like something good to read.
Application
- FormalReceptionist job at a medical clinicYou have seen an advertisement for a receptionist at a medical clinic.
- FormalEngineering firm summer internshipYou are a university student and want to do a summer internship at an engineering company.
- FormalLanguage school scholarshipA language school is offering a scholarship for one student to join an advanced course.
- FormalVolunteering at an animal shelterAn animal shelter is looking for volunteers to help at weekends.
- FormalPart-time tour guide jobA travel company in your city is looking for a part-time tour guide.
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- FormalPlace on a master's course overseasYou would like to study for a master's degree at a university overseas.
- Semi-formalJoining a local photography clubYou would like to join a local photography club and need to write to its secretary.
- Semi-formalJoining a community gardenYour neighbourhood has started a community garden and is looking for new members.
- Semi-formalPart-time job at a bookshopA bookshop near your university needs a part-time assistant.
- Semi-formalStudent exchange programme placeYour college offers a place on a student exchange programme with a university abroad.
- Semi-formalEvening cookery class placeA local college has one place left on an evening cookery class.
Invitation
- FormalGuest speaker for a careers dayYour college is organising a careers day and you would like a local business owner to speak.
- FormalResidents' meeting about parkingYou are the chairperson of a residents' committee and want people to attend a meeting about local parking.
- FormalInviting a teacher to a reunionYou are organising a reunion for the students who left your school ten years ago.
- FormalOpening a new sports hallYour community centre is about to open a new sports hall and you want an important guest to open it.
- FormalPresentation skills training dayYour department is organising an optional training day on presentation skills.
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- Semi-formalInvitation to a street partyYou and a few neighbours are organising a street party to celebrate the start of summer.
- Semi-formalWelcome dinner for a new colleagueA new colleague has recently joined your team and you would like to welcome him.
- Semi-formalEnd-of-course party for a teacherYour class is having a small party to celebrate the end of the course.
- Semi-formalRetirement lunch for a colleagueA colleague is retiring after thirty years and your team is organising a lunch for him.
- Semi-formalFamily friend at your graduationYou are about to graduate from university and want a family friend to share the day.
- InformalInvitation to a birthday partyYou are planning a birthday party at home and want a friend who lives far away to come.
- InformalA weekend visit to your cityA friend from overseas has never visited your city and you would like to show her around.
- InformalInviting a friend on a hiking tripYou are planning a hiking trip in the mountains with a few friends.
- InformalInviting a friend to a housewarmingYou have just moved into a new flat and want to celebrate with friends.
- InformalOld classmates' school reunionYou are helping to organise a reunion for your old school class.
- InformalGrandparents' wedding anniversaryYour family is having a big celebration for your grandparents' wedding anniversary.
Apology
- FormalApology for missing a work meetingYou missed an important meeting at work last week because of a travel problem.
- FormalDamaged furniture in a hotel roomYou were a guest at a hotel and accidentally damaged a piece of furniture in your room.
- FormalApology for overdue library booksYou borrowed several books from a library and returned them two months late.
- FormalApology for a late client projectYour company has not been able to finish a project for a client by the agreed date.
- FormalLate residents' association feeYou are a member of a residents' association and forgot to pay your yearly fee on time.
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- Semi-formalApology to a neighbour for a partyYou had a party at your flat last weekend and it was louder than you expected.
- Semi-formalApology for a missed report deadlineYou forgot to send your part of a shared report and your colleague had to finish it alone.
- Semi-formalBroken window in a rented flatYou accidentally broke a window in your rented flat while moving furniture.
- Semi-formalApology for missing a lessonYou missed an important lesson without telling your teacher in advance.
- Semi-formalCancelling a dinner invitationYou were invited to dinner by a colleague and his wife but had to cancel at the last minute.
- InformalForgetting a friend's birthdayYou forgot your best friend's birthday last week.
- InformalLosing a friend's bookYou borrowed a book from a friend and have lost it.
- InformalMissing a cousin's weddingYou could not attend your cousin's wedding because of a work problem.
- InformalHaving guests over without askingYou had friends stay over without asking and your flatmate was upset.
- InformalArguing with a friend at a partyYou had a disagreement with a friend at a party and said some unkind things.
Thanks
- FormalThanking a host family abroadYou recently spent a month with a host family while studying abroad.
- FormalThanks for a job offerA company has offered you a job after several interviews.
- FormalThanking a conference speakerYou attended a conference where a speaker gave a very useful talk.
- FormalThanks for a charity volunteer roleYou spent two weeks as a volunteer for a local charity.
- FormalThanking a research supervisorYou have just finished a research project at university and your supervisor helped you a great deal.
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- Semi-formalThanking a neighbour for moving helpA neighbour helped you carry furniture when you moved into your new flat.
- Semi-formalThanks for a recommendationYour teacher wrote a recommendation letter that helped you get a place at university.
- Semi-formalThanks for covering your workA colleague covered your work for a week while you were ill.
- Semi-formalThanks for a quick leak repairYour landlady arranged a quick repair to a leak in your flat.
- Semi-formalThanks for a birthday giftA friend of your parents sent you a generous gift for your birthday.
- InformalThanks for a birthday presentA friend sent you a thoughtful present for your birthday.
- InformalThanks for a week's hospitalityYou stayed with a friend's family for a week and had a wonderful time.
- InformalThanks for job interview practiceA friend helped you practise for a job interview, and you got the job.
- InformalThanking a cousin for a loanYour cousin lent you money when you had an unexpected expense.
- InformalThanks for support in a hard timeA friend supported you through a difficult few months at work.
Advice
- FormalChoosing a dissertation topicYou are a final-year student and are unsure which topic to choose for your dissertation.
- FormalAdvice on changing careerYou have worked in the same field for six years and would like to change career.
- FormalConcerns about a rental contractYou are about to sign a rental contract and are worried about some of the conditions.
- FormalOpening a business bank accountYou are starting a small business and need to open a bank account for it.
- FormalAdvice on a family holidayYou want to take your family on a holiday but are unsure where to go.
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- Semi-formalAdvice on working abroadYou have been offered a job in another country and your colleague has worked abroad before.
- Semi-formalChoosing the next English courseYou have finished a beginner English course and need to choose the next one.
- Semi-formalChoosing a school for your sonYour neighbour has children at a local school and you are choosing one for your son.
- Semi-formalChoosing between two job offersYou have two job offers and are finding it difficult to decide between them.
- InformalAdvice for a friend studying abroadA friend is thinking of studying abroad and has asked you, because you did the same, for advice.
- InformalAdvising a friend on buying a laptopA friend wants to buy a laptop for university and has asked what you would recommend.
- InformalTaking a job in another cityYou have been offered a job in another city and are unsure whether to take it.
- InformalLearning to driveYou would like to learn to drive but don't know where to start.
- InformalProblems with a flatmateYou are sharing a flat with someone who is becoming difficult to live with.
- InformalFriend stressed about final examsA friend is very stressed about her final exams and has written to you for help.
Arrangement
- FormalRearranging a job interview timeYou have been invited to a job interview, but you cannot attend at the time suggested.
- FormalStudent group visit to a factoryYou teach a class of students who would like to visit a local factory.
- FormalMeeting the bank about a loanYou want to discuss a business loan with your bank.
- FormalDelivery time for a new sofaYou have bought a sofa from a furniture shop and need to agree a delivery time.
- FormalHospital work experience placementYou are a student and would like to spend a week doing work experience at a hospital.
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- FormalHall for a wedding receptionYou are planning a wedding reception and want to book a hall for the day.
- Semi-formalNeighbours' meeting about parkingThere is a parking problem in your street and you want neighbours to meet to discuss it.
- Semi-formalPlanning a joint presentationYou and a colleague have to prepare a joint presentation but have not yet met to plan it.
- Semi-formalArranging guitar lessonsYou would like to take guitar lessons from a teacher you found at a local music school.
- Semi-formalViewing a flat to rentYou have seen an advertisement for a flat to rent and want to see it.
- InformalMeeting a friend at the airportA friend is flying in to visit you and you need to agree how to meet.
- InformalWeekend away with friendsYou and some friends want to go away together for a weekend.
- InformalStudying together before an examYou and a friend have the same exam next month and would like to study together.
- InformalVisiting a friend in hospitalA friend is recovering in hospital after an operation.
- InformalMeal with an old friendYou haven't seen an old friend for a long time and want to meet for a meal.
Explanation
- FormalChild's absence from schoolYour child missed several days of school last month.
- FormalUnusual payments from a bank accountYour bank has contacted you about some unusual payments from your account.
- FormalExplaining why you are resigningYou have decided to leave your job after three years.
- FormalExplaining a late rent paymentYou were unable to pay your rent on time this month.
- FormalGap year in university studiesYou are applying to return to university after a year away from your studies.
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- FormalCar accident insurance claimYou were involved in a minor car accident and need to make an insurance claim.
- Semi-formalWhy a garden tree was cut downYou had a large tree in your garden removed and your neighbour is upset because it gave her shade.
- Semi-formalLate coursework explainedYou handed in a piece of coursework two days after the deadline.
- Semi-formalChange of plans for a shared projectYou have changed the way a shared project will be done and your colleague does not know why.
- Semi-formalLeaving a rented flat earlyYour company has transferred you to another city before your rental contract ends.
- Semi-formalLeaving a sports clubYou have been a member of a sports club for five years but have decided to leave.
- InformalChanging your university courseYou have switched to a different course at university, and a friend is surprised.
- InformalWhy you have not been in touchYou haven't contacted a good friend for several months.
- InformalWhy you sold your carYou have sold your car and now travel by public transport.
- InformalPulling out of a trip with friendsYou were planning to join your friends on a trip but cannot go any more.
- InformalHow to use a language appA friend has asked how to use an app you recommended for learning languages.
Information
- FormalNotice of moving out of a flatYou are renting a flat and have decided to move out at the end of the contract.
- FormalChange of address for a collegeYou have recently moved house and need to update your details with your college.
- FormalSafety problem at workYou have noticed a safety problem in the building where you work.
- FormalChanging an office furniture orderYour company ordered office furniture, but you now need to change the quantity.
- FormalDangerous hole in a local roadThere is a large hole in the road near your home that is a danger to drivers and cyclists.
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- Semi-formalBuilding work in your flatYou are going to have building work done in your flat for the next three weeks.
- Semi-formalYour new contact detailsYour phone number and email address have changed and your teacher needs to know.
- Semi-formalNew meeting room booking systemYour department has introduced a new system for booking meeting rooms.
- Semi-formalA new flatmate sharing the rentA friend is going to move into your rented flat and share the rent.
- InformalTelling a friend about a new jobYou have just started a new job and want to tell a friend about it.
- InformalMoving to a new cityYou have moved to a new city and haven't written to a friend for a while.
- InformalA recent trip abroadYou have just returned from a trip abroad and want to share the experience.
- InformalDescribing your new flatYou have found a flat and want to describe it to a friend.
- InformalCancelled summer plans abroadYou are no longer going abroad this summer as you had planned.
Letters by tone
Browse every question
- Task 2 essayEssay questions by topic and type, with ideas for both sides and an outline.Browse
- Academic Task 1Line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables and process diagrams, with the key features for your overview.Browse
Task 2 by topic
- Education
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- Cities
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- Society
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- Crime
- Government
- Economy
- Globalisation
- Media
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Task 2 by essay type
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a GT letter should be formal or informal?
Look at who you are writing to. A company, an official or a stranger needs a formal letter; a neighbour, a teacher or a manager you know, semi-formal; a friend or relative, informal. The greeting the paper gives you confirms it.
How do I end an IELTS letter?
Dear Sir or Madam goes with Yours faithfully. Dear plus a surname (Dear Mr Lewis) goes with Yours sincerely or Kind regards. Dear plus a first name goes with Best wishes, Take care or Love. Then write your name.
How long should a Task 1 answer be?
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes, for both the Academic report and the General Training letter. Task 2 carries twice the marks of Task 1, so do not let Task 1 run over.
Are these real IELTS questions?
No. They are practice questions written by GoPrep in the style of the exam, on the themes and question types the test uses. Official past papers are not published as a free bank, and sites that claim to have this month's real questions are guessing.
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