IELTS
General Writing Task 1: Types of Letters
What type of letter should
I write?
In IELTS General Writing Task 1, there are three
types of letters:
- formal
letter
- semi-formal letter
- informal letter (also known as a personal
letter)
Here you will learn how to
identify the type of letter you need to write and what beginnings-endings and
tone of letter you should use. You'll also see relevant sample letters under each type.
Before you start writing,
it is essential that you fully understand which type of letter you have to
write.
Main differences
To outline the main differences
between formal, semi-formal and informal letters and also help you decide which
letter style you should use, see the following table:
Formal |
Semi-formal |
Informal ( friendly) |
You don't know the person's name you
are writing to (e.g. bank, foreign university) |
You know the
person, but he/she is not a close friend to you (e.g. teacher, landlord,
manager, colleague) |
You know him or her
personally (e.g. friends, family) |
Greetings:
Dear Sir/ Madam |
Greetings: Dear Mr
Smith, Dear Mrs Smith |
Greetings: Dear Mom,
Dear John, My dear friend |
Letter
endings: Yours faithfully |
Letter
endings: Yours sincerely / Sincerely yours
(not Yours truly) |
Endings: With
best wishes, / See you soon, / Take care, / All the best, |
Your name: Mr John Brown
(always with a family name, but the title is optional) |
Your name: John Brown
(always with a family name, but the title is optional) |
Your
name: John (no title and no family name) |
The tone of the letter
is formal. Be polite. You can't
use contractions (use 'I am writing' not 'I'm writing |
The
tone of the letter is polite.
Mostly formal language; however, use a couple of phrases that are on the
informal side. |
The
tone of the letter is informal. You can
use contractions (I'm writing), but not abbreviations (see ya) and acronyms
(OMG). Do not use academic language. |
Formal Letter & Sample
A formal letter is when you need
to write to a company or organisation where you don't know the
person to who you are writing.
For example, a bank or a foreign university.
Common formal letters are
complaints, applications, resignations, making arrangements.
See a formal letter sample: Request Letter
Semi-formal Letter &
Sample
A semi-formal letter is when you
write to someone you know by name and with whom you have a
business or professional relationship. So someone you know, but they are not a close friend with you. For example, a
teacher, trainer, neighbors, landlord, manager, work colleague etc.
The surname should be used when
addressing them. The topic of the letter will be more on the formal side as it
is usually focused on a problem to solve.
Common semi-formal letters are
invitations, explanations, informative letters (all the letters can also be
personal).
Informal/Personal Letter
& Sample
An informal letter is when you
write to a friend, family member or someone you know personally, and you write about a
personal situation.
Common personal letters are
invitations, explanations, informative letters, apology (all these letters can
be semi-formal as well).
Informal letter writing topics
The topics could be as follows:
- Apologising for a damage/inconvenience caused
- Inviting
to your place
- Seeking
advice on something
- Recommending something
Task 1 Sample Questions
You should spend about 20
minutes on this task.
Structure
This is the basic structure
which will tell you how to start, frame and close an informal letter. You
should try to follow this while writing an informal letter:
Dear [First name only (of your friend)]
Paragraph 1 – Mention the reason why you’re writing to them.
(I’m writing this letter to tell you about …)
Paragraph 2 – Talk about 1st bullet point with supporting
details
Paragraph 3 – Talk about 2nd bullet point with supporting
details
Paragraph 4 – Talk about 3rd bullet point with supporting
details
See you soon
Warm Regards
(Your First name only)
Sample 1
Last
month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have
just sent you some photos of your holiday.
Write a letter to your friends.
In your letter:
- thank
them for the photos and for the holiday
- explain
why you didn’t write earlier
- invite
them to come and stay with you
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any
address.
Dear David and Susan,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was overjoyed when I got your
letter. Thank you so much for those kind words and the lovely photos of us.
Sorry for the delay in replying, we got so caught up in our unpacking, we
didn’t get time to check our mail until a week later.
Looking at these photos brings back so many memories, and we
cannot thank you enough for your warm hospitality and the way you took out time
to show us around to all the best spots. John was also saying that we would
have been lost in that country hadn’t it been for you two. Thanks to both of
you once again..
In fact, we were thinking, why don’t you and David come here to
Dubai on a holiday, it’ll be really fun! We told you about the spare room we
have, so you’re always welcome to stay with us when you’re here. You could
always think about making the trip during November-February, as the weather is
lovely that time around.
Please do consider coming here, and once again thank you so much
for the photos!
Take care
Fiona
Sample 2
Write a letter to your friend
about a book that you have read recently. Include the following in your letter:
- Describe
the book.
- Why
do you want him/her to read it?
- Tell
him/her how to get the book.
Dear Smith,
Hope you’re well. It’s been a
while since I last heard from you. Hope everything is good with you. I am
writing to you to share a recent experience with you. Since a few weeks, I have
been drawn towards books. Thus, I wanted to tell you about my last read.
I read A Man Called Ove by
Fredrik Backman. The book took me on an emotional ride mixed with bots of
laughter and crying sessions. The story is about an old man called Ove who
recently lost his wife. Every time, he thinks of killing himself, something
funny and strange happens to him.
Although he is a grumpy old man,
his neighbours force him to be a part of the group, changing his perspective
and personality.
I am sure you’ll definitely like
reading this book. If you are unable to find it in any of the nearest
bookstores, you can always order it from eCommerce portals.. You can also
download an eBook and read it on your phone. Do let me know how you found it.
Yours loving,
Benjamin
Sample 3
Write a letter to your friend
about a job opportunity you came across that they might find interesting. In
your letter, you should:
- give
some details about the job
- mention
how you came across the job opportunity
- explain
why you feel the job would be suitable for your friend
Dear Amit,
Hope you are doing well and are
in the best of spirits. It’s been long since we have had the time to catch up
and reminisce about things. Let’s meet anytime soon, if possible. Anyway, I am
writing this letter in regards to a job opportunity that I came across in Times
of India newspaper today.
To give you a gist, this job
vacancy is for a content writer. I know you have quite a good experience in
this field. You will have to write a gamut of content on different topics and
niches. The timings will be as per your schedule.
I feel this job is suitable for
you since you have a knack for writing. I have read some of your previous
written articles and blogs. So, I am sure you are going to do justice with this
job. On top of that, even the salary is as per your calibre.
Let’s meet soon, and I’ll tell
you more about this job opportunity.
Yours lovingly,
Imran
Sample 4
Your friend is about to move
into a new house. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- offer
to help him/her to move
- explain
how exactly you can help
- ask
him/her some questions about the new house
Dear Aakash,
Hope you are doing well. It’s
been long since we wrote to each other. A few days back, I was having a
conversation with Kushaal, and I got to know that you are moving into a new
house. I was quite happy to find out that you are finally moving ahead in your
life and progressing professionally.
I don’t know the exact location,
can you let me know the address? Also, I am excited to see how this new abode
looks from the outside and inside. I am waiting to see pictures.
Anyway, Kushaal mentioned that
you are a bit busy with your professional project; thus, unable to pack
anything sooner. Are you looking for a helping hand? If you need any support,
Kushaal and I can drop down to your house and help pack.
Do let me know how it works for
you.
All the best for your new
journey.
Yours lovingly,
Sneha
Sample 5
Recently you visited a foreign
country with a friend. Write a letter to someone. You should tell
- why
you enjoyed the trip
- what
you are doing now
- invite
her to visit you
Dear Kajal,
Beautiful cousin, hope you are
doing well. How are the uncle and aunt? I hope everybody at home is in their
best spirits. I am writing this letter to let you know that last week, I
finally decided to take a trip to Bali with a friend of mine.
It is one of the islands located
in Indonesia. Being one of the top tourist destinations, the nature and culture
of Bali are exquisite. As far as my eyes could see, there were stunning
shorelines and tranquil surfing water. The weather was warm and humid.
One of the thrilling things I
did there was learning about the dynamic Balinese art and culture. Currently, I
am back at home, sitting in my cozy living room and reminiscing all of those
beautiful moments I spent on that island.
It would not be too much if I
say I couldn’t get enough of Bali. So, maybe I will be planning another trip
there sooner. Would you like to join me? Together, we will have a lot of fun.
Looking forward to hearing from
you.
Yours lovingly,
Surbhi
Sample 6
Recently you visited a foreign
country with a friend. Write a letter to someone. You should tell
- why
you enjoyed the trip
- what
you are doing now
- invite
her to visit you
Dear Kajal,
Beautiful cousin, hope you are
doing well. How are the uncle and aunt? I hope everybody at home is in their
best spirits. I am writing this letter to let you know that last week, I
finally decided to take a trip to Bali with a friend of mine.
It is one of the islands located
in Indonesia. Being one of the top tourist destinations, the nature and culture
of Bali are exquisite. As far as my eyes could see, there were stunning
shorelines and tranquil surfing water. The weather was warm and humid.
One of the thrilling things I
did there was learning about the dynamic Balinese art and culture. Currently, I
am back at home, sitting in my cozy living room and reminiscing all of those
beautiful moments I spent on that island.
It would not be too much if I
say I couldn’t get enough of Bali. So, maybe I will be planning another trip
there sooner. Would you like to join me? Together, we will have a lot of fun.
Looking forward to hearing from
you.
Yours lovingly,
Surbhi
Sample 7
Write a letter to your friend
about a book that you have read recently. Include the following in your letter:
- Describe
the book.
- Why
do you want him/her to read it?
- Tell
him/her how to get the book
Dear Smith,
Hope you’re well. It’s been a
while since I last heard from you. Hope everything is good with you. I am
writing to you to share a recent experience with you. Since a few weeks, I have
been drawn towards books. Thus, I wanted to tell you about my last read.
I read A Man Called Ove by
Fredrik Backman. The book took me on an emotional ride mixed with bots of
laughter and crying sessions. The story is about an old man called Ove who
recently lost his wife. Everytime he thinks of killing himself, something funny
and strange happens to him.
Although he is a grumpy old man,
his neighbours force him to be a part of the group, changing his perspective
and personality.
I am sure you’ll definitely like
reading this book. If you are unable to find it in any of the nearest
bookstores, you can always order it from eCommerce portals.. You can also
download an eBook and read it on your phone. Do let me know how you found it.
Yours loving,
Benjamin
Sample 8
Write a letter to your friend
about a book that you have read recently. Include the following in your letter:
- Describe
the book.
- Why
do you want him/her to read it?
- Tell
him/her how to get the book
Dear Smith,
Hope you’re well. It’s been a
while since I last heard from you. Hope everything is good with you. I am
writing to you to share a recent experience with you. Since a few weeks, I have
been drawn towards books. Thus, I wanted to tell you about my last read.
I read A Man Called Ove by
Fredrik Backman. The book took me on an emotional ride mixed with bots of
laughter and crying sessions. The story is about an old man called Ove who
recently lost his wife. Everytime he thinks of killing himself, something funny
and strange happens to him.
Although he is a grumpy old man,
his neighbours force him to be a part of the group, changing his perspective
and personality.
I am sure you’ll definitely like
reading this book. If you are unable to find it in any of the nearest
bookstores, you can always order it from eCommerce portals.. You can also
download an eBook and read it on your phone. Do let me know how you found it.
Yours loving,
Benjamin
Sample 9
Write a letter to your friend
about a book that you have read recently. Include the following in your letter:
- Describe
the book.
- Why
do you want him/her to read it?
- Tell
him/her how to get the book
Dear Smith,
Hope you’re well. It’s been a
while since I last heard from you. Hope everything is good with you. I am
writing to you to share a recent experience with you. Since a few weeks, I have
been drawn towards books. Thus, I wanted to tell you about my last read.
I read A Man Called Ove by
Fredrik Backman. The book took me on an emotional ride mixed with bots of
laughter and crying sessions. The story is about an old man called Ove who
recently lost his wife. Everytime he thinks of killing himself, something funny
and strange happens to him.
Although he is a grumpy old man,
his neighbours force him to be a part of the group, changing his perspective
and personality.
I am sure you’ll definitely like
reading this book. If you are unable to find it in any of the nearest
bookstores, you can always order it from eCommerce portals.. You can also
download an eBook and read it on your phone. Do let me know how you found it.
Yours loving,
Benjamin
Sample 10
A foreign friend of yours plans
to visit your place and stay with you, but you do not have
time on that date. Give your
friend another alternate date to come.
In your letter, you should:
- apologize
for it
- explain
why you will busy on that date
- suggest
to him/her an alternate time to come.
Dear Aria,
Hope you’re doing well. I know
you would have made great preparations to come and stay with me on August
20, 2020, but I regret to inform you that I will not be available on that date.
I do understand that we made plans for this, six months ago and I’m deeply
sorry for spoiling it. I think you know of my neighbour who is an older
woman in her eighties. She was living alone.
Her daughter was in France. One
night, she had developed convulsions and did not wake up the next day. She used
to give me flowers from her garden daily. Since she did not bring flowers on
the next day, I suspected something went wrong, and I was right. She lay
unconscious on her floor. I informed the Police, opened the door and took her
to the hospital where she was treated. Then, I told her daughter. She requested
me to bring the older woman to France precisely on the same day that you
planned to arrive. But I’m planning to come back immediately after entrusting
the old lady into her daughter’s hands. So, I will be available from August 25,
2020. Please let me know if you can make arrangements on the new date. Sorry again!
With love,
Zoey
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