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IELTS formal letter topics (General Training Task 1)
A formal letter goes to someone you do not know, often a company or an official. Use no contractions, begin with the purpose, and close with Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely.
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- ComplaintComplaint about broken gym equipmentYou recently joined a gym, but several of the machines have been out of order for weeks.
- ComplaintLost luggage on a flightYou flew with an airline last week and your suitcase did not arrive at your destination.
- ComplaintPoor service at a family celebrationYou held a family celebration at a local restaurant, but the service was very poor.
- ComplaintComplaint about a faulty laptopYou bought a laptop from an online shop, but it stopped working after two weeks.
- ComplaintNoisy building site near your homeA building site near your home has been very noisy early in the morning for the past month.
- ComplaintComplaint about a dirty hotel roomYou stayed in a hotel last weekend and your room was not clean when you arrived.
- RequestAsking a library to open laterYou are a student and would like your local library to open later in the evenings.
- RequestEvening photography course detailsYou are interested in taking an evening course in photography at a local college.
- RequestReference from a former managerYou are applying for a new job and need a reference from your previous manager.
- RequestRefund for cancelled concert ticketsA concert you had bought tickets for has been cancelled, and you would like your money back.
- RequestAssignment extension due to illnessYou are a university student and you cannot finish an assignment on time because you have been ill.
- RequestHolding a charity run in the parkYou would like to organise a charity run in your local park next spring.
- ApologyApology for missing a work meetingYou missed an important meeting at work last week because of a travel problem.
- ApologyDamaged furniture in a hotel roomYou were a guest at a hotel and accidentally damaged a piece of furniture in your room.
- ApologyApology for overdue library booksYou borrowed several books from a library and returned them two months late.
- ApologyApology for a late client projectYour company has not been able to finish a project for a client by the agreed date.
- ApologyLate residents' association feeYou are a member of a residents' association and forgot to pay your yearly fee on time.
- InvitationGuest speaker for a careers dayYour college is organising a careers day and you would like a local business owner to speak.
- InvitationResidents' meeting about parkingYou are the chairperson of a residents' committee and want people to attend a meeting about local parking.
- InvitationInviting a teacher to a reunionYou are organising a reunion for the students who left your school ten years ago.
- InvitationOpening a new sports hallYour community centre is about to open a new sports hall and you want an important guest to open it.
- InvitationPresentation skills training dayYour department is organising an optional training day on presentation skills.
- ThanksThanking a host family abroadYou recently spent a month with a host family while studying abroad.
- ThanksThanks for a job offerA company has offered you a job after several interviews.
- ThanksThanking a conference speakerYou attended a conference where a speaker gave a very useful talk.
- ThanksThanks for a charity volunteer roleYou spent two weeks as a volunteer for a local charity.
- ThanksThanking a research supervisorYou have just finished a research project at university and your supervisor helped you a great deal.
- ApplicationReceptionist job at a medical clinicYou have seen an advertisement for a receptionist at a medical clinic.
- ApplicationEngineering firm summer internshipYou are a university student and want to do a summer internship at an engineering company.
- ApplicationLanguage school scholarshipA language school is offering a scholarship for one student to join an advanced course.
- ApplicationVolunteering at an animal shelterAn animal shelter is looking for volunteers to help at weekends.
- ApplicationPart-time tour guide jobA travel company in your city is looking for a part-time tour guide.
- ApplicationPlace on a master's course overseasYou would like to study for a master's degree at a university overseas.
- AdviceChoosing a dissertation topicYou are a final-year student and are unsure which topic to choose for your dissertation.
- AdviceAdvice on changing careerYou have worked in the same field for six years and would like to change career.
- AdviceConcerns about a rental contractYou are about to sign a rental contract and are worried about some of the conditions.
- AdviceOpening a business bank accountYou are starting a small business and need to open a bank account for it.
- AdviceAdvice on a family holidayYou want to take your family on a holiday but are unsure where to go.
- InformationNotice of moving out of a flatYou are renting a flat and have decided to move out at the end of the contract.
- InformationChange of address for a collegeYou have recently moved house and need to update your details with your college.
- InformationSafety problem at workYou have noticed a safety problem in the building where you work.
- InformationChanging an office furniture orderYour company ordered office furniture, but you now need to change the quantity.
- InformationDangerous hole in a local roadThere is a large hole in the road near your home that is a danger to drivers and cyclists.
- ArrangementRearranging a job interview timeYou have been invited to a job interview, but you cannot attend at the time suggested.
- ArrangementStudent group visit to a factoryYou teach a class of students who would like to visit a local factory.
- ArrangementMeeting the bank about a loanYou want to discuss a business loan with your bank.
- ArrangementDelivery time for a new sofaYou have bought a sofa from a furniture shop and need to agree a delivery time.
- ArrangementHospital work experience placementYou are a student and would like to spend a week doing work experience at a hospital.
- ArrangementHall for a wedding receptionYou are planning a wedding reception and want to book a hall for the day.
- ExplanationChild's absence from schoolYour child missed several days of school last month.
- ExplanationUnusual payments from a bank accountYour bank has contacted you about some unusual payments from your account.
- ExplanationExplaining why you are resigningYou have decided to leave your job after three years.
- ExplanationExplaining a late rent paymentYou were unable to pay your rent on time this month.
- ExplanationGap year in university studiesYou are applying to return to university after a year away from your studies.
- ExplanationCar accident insurance claimYou were involved in a minor car accident and need to make an insurance claim.
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