Skip to the tool
IELTS semi-formal letter topics (General Training Task 1)
A semi-formal letter goes to someone you know but not closely, such as a neighbour, a teacher or a manager. Be polite and friendly, use their name, and close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
Get a random letter question
- ComplaintNeighbour's loud music at nightYour neighbour has been playing loud music late at night and it is stopping you from sleeping.
- ComplaintHeating not working in a rented flatThe heating in your rented flat has not worked for two weeks and it is now very cold.
- ComplaintToo much homework for your childYour child's class has been given far more homework than usual and your child is exhausted.
- ComplaintColleague leaving the office untidyA colleague who shares your office often leaves the kitchen and desk area untidy.
- ComplaintPoor evening class roomThe room used for your evening class is cold, noisy and too small.
- RequestNeighbour looking after your catYou are going away for a week and need someone to look after your cat.
- RequestPermission to repaint a rented flatYou would like to repaint the walls of the flat you are renting.
- RequestTime off for a family weddingYou would like to take two days off work next month to attend a family wedding abroad.
- RequestExtra help before an examYou are struggling with one subject and have an important exam in a month.
- RequestAsking a colleague to cover a shiftYou have an urgent hospital appointment and cannot work your usual shift on Friday.
- ApologyApology to a neighbour for a partyYou had a party at your flat last weekend and it was louder than you expected.
- ApologyApology for a missed report deadlineYou forgot to send your part of a shared report and your colleague had to finish it alone.
- ApologyBroken window in a rented flatYou accidentally broke a window in your rented flat while moving furniture.
- ApologyApology for missing a lessonYou missed an important lesson without telling your teacher in advance.
- ApologyCancelling a dinner invitationYou were invited to dinner by a colleague and his wife but had to cancel at the last minute.
- InvitationInvitation to a street partyYou and a few neighbours are organising a street party to celebrate the start of summer.
- InvitationWelcome dinner for a new colleagueA new colleague has recently joined your team and you would like to welcome him.
- InvitationEnd-of-course party for a teacherYour class is having a small party to celebrate the end of the course.
- InvitationRetirement lunch for a colleagueA colleague is retiring after thirty years and your team is organising a lunch for him.
- InvitationFamily friend at your graduationYou are about to graduate from university and want a family friend to share the day.
- ThanksThanking a neighbour for moving helpA neighbour helped you carry furniture when you moved into your new flat.
- ThanksThanks for a recommendationYour teacher wrote a recommendation letter that helped you get a place at university.
- ThanksThanks for covering your workA colleague covered your work for a week while you were ill.
- ThanksThanks for a quick leak repairYour landlady arranged a quick repair to a leak in your flat.
- ThanksThanks for a birthday giftA friend of your parents sent you a generous gift for your birthday.
- ApplicationJoining a local photography clubYou would like to join a local photography club and need to write to its secretary.
- ApplicationJoining a community gardenYour neighbourhood has started a community garden and is looking for new members.
- ApplicationPart-time job at a bookshopA bookshop near your university needs a part-time assistant.
- ApplicationStudent exchange programme placeYour college offers a place on a student exchange programme with a university abroad.
- ApplicationEvening cookery class placeA local college has one place left on an evening cookery class.
- AdviceAdvice on working abroadYou have been offered a job in another country and your colleague has worked abroad before.
- AdviceChoosing the next English courseYou have finished a beginner English course and need to choose the next one.
- AdviceChoosing a school for your sonYour neighbour has children at a local school and you are choosing one for your son.
- AdviceChoosing between two job offersYou have two job offers and are finding it difficult to decide between them.
- InformationBuilding work in your flatYou are going to have building work done in your flat for the next three weeks.
- InformationYour new contact detailsYour phone number and email address have changed and your teacher needs to know.
- InformationNew meeting room booking systemYour department has introduced a new system for booking meeting rooms.
- InformationA new flatmate sharing the rentA friend is going to move into your rented flat and share the rent.
- ArrangementNeighbours' meeting about parkingThere is a parking problem in your street and you want neighbours to meet to discuss it.
- ArrangementPlanning a joint presentationYou and a colleague have to prepare a joint presentation but have not yet met to plan it.
- ArrangementArranging guitar lessonsYou would like to take guitar lessons from a teacher you found at a local music school.
- ArrangementViewing a flat to rentYou have seen an advertisement for a flat to rent and want to see it.
- ExplanationWhy a garden tree was cut downYou had a large tree in your garden removed and your neighbour is upset because it gave her shade.
- ExplanationLate coursework explainedYou handed in a piece of coursework two days after the deadline.
- ExplanationChange of plans for a shared projectYou have changed the way a shared project will be done and your colleague does not know why.
- ExplanationLeaving a rented flat earlyYour company has transferred you to another city before your rental contract ends.
- ExplanationLeaving a sports clubYou have been a member of a sports club for five years but have decided to leave.
Letters by tone
Getting ready for IELTS?
More free IELTS tools
All free toolsSpeaking topic generator
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
IELTS band score calculator
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
IELTS score converter
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
University IELTS requirements
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.