A useful
format/template for writing an IELTS Writing Task 1 Semi-Formal Letter,
along with suggested ways to start each part of the letter:
IELTS Writing Task 1 — Semi-Formal
Letter Format
1. Salutation
- If you know
the person by name (but not very personally), start with:
Dear
Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
2. Introduction (Opening paragraph)
- State the
purpose of writing the letter in a polite, friendly, but respectful tone.
- Useful
phrases:
I hope this
letter finds you well.
I am writing to inform you about...
I am writing to let you know that...
I am writing to ask for your assistance with...
I am writing to request...
3. Body Paragraph 1 (First main point)
- Explain the
first reason or situation clearly.
- Use polite
and clear language.
- Helpful
phrases:
Firstly, I would
like to mention that...
As you may know...
This situation has arisen because...
I am writing to share with you that...
4. Body Paragraph 2 (Second main point)
- Add more
details, requests, or suggestions in a respectful tone.
- Phrases you
can use:
Secondly, I would
be grateful if you could...
I would also like to ask whether...
In addition, it would be very helpful if...
For example...
5. Conclusion (Closing paragraph)
- Politely
conclude and express hope or appreciation.
- Useful
closing lines:
I look forward to
your response.
I hope we can resolve this matter soon.
Please let me know if you need any further information.
Thank you for your understanding and assistance.
6. Closing
- End with:
Yours sincerely,
Your Full Name
Example Semi-Formal Letter Structure:
Question:
You are going on
vacation and need someone to look after your house. Write a letter to your
neighbor:
- Explain why
you will be away
- Ask them to
take care of your house
- Tell them
how to contact you in case of emergency
Sample Answer Using the Format:
Dear
Mr. Sharma,
I
hope this letter finds you well.
I am writing to let you know that I will be away on vacation with my family
from the 1st to the 15th of June. During this time, I would be very grateful if
you could help me look after my house.
Firstly,
I would like to mention that the house will be empty for two weeks, and I am
concerned about security.
It would be very helpful if you could occasionally check the front door,
windows, and mailbox to make sure everything is in order.
Secondly,
I would also like to ask whether you could water the plants in the garden twice
a week.
In case of any emergency, please feel free to call me on my mobile number:
9876543210.
Thank
you in advance for your help and kindness.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours
Sincerely,
Ravi Teja
You recently stayed at a hotel. Upon
returning home, you realized that you left an important item in the room. Write
a letter to the hotel manager asking for assistance in retrieving the item.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to inform you that I recently stayed at your hotel, Room 305, from
March 10th to 15th. Upon returning home, I realized that I left my phone
charger in the room.
Firstly, I would like to mention that I would
greatly appreciate it if the charger could be located and sent back to me. The
charger is quite important as it is a special one that was gifted to me
recently.
Secondly, I would be grateful if you could
arrange for the charger to be sent by post to my address, which is listed
below. I would be happy to cover any postage fees associated with this.
I look forward to your response and hope that
this matter can be resolved promptly. Please let me know if you need any
further information.
Thank you for
your understanding and assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Gautam Sapkota
Sample Question 2
You recently attended a workshop at a
local community center. You are writing to the center to provide feedback on
the workshop and suggest improvements.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to let you know that I recently attended the digital marketing workshop
held at your community center on March 10th. I would like to provide some
feedback regarding the event.
Firstly, I would like to mention that I found
the workshop informative and engaging. The instructor, Mr. Brown, did an
excellent job of explaining complex topics in a clear and understandable way.
Secondly, I would suggest that future
workshops offer more hands-on activities. While the presentation was
insightful, I believe practical exercises could enhance learning and help
attendees better apply the concepts.
I hope my feedback is useful, and I look
forward to attending more workshops at your center in the future. Please let me
know if you need any further information.
Thank you for
your attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Raj Suhani
Sample Question 3
You have recently moved to a new
apartment and want to ask your landlord to make some repairs. Write a letter to
your landlord explaining the situation and requesting the repairs.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Mr. Parker,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to request some repairs in my apartment, which I recently moved into at
42 Oakwood Street.
Firstly, I would like to mention that there is
a problem with the heating system. Despite adjusting the thermostat, the
apartment remains quite cold, and I believe it may need servicing. I would
appreciate it if this issue could be addressed as soon as possible.
Secondly, I would also like to ask whether it
would be possible to fix the leaking faucet in the bathroom. The constant drip
is not only wasteful but also quite noisy. It would be very helpful if this
could be repaired at your earliest convenience.
I look forward to your response and hope we
can resolve these matters soon. Please let me know if you need any further
information.
Thank you for
your understanding and assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Rajendra Shah
Sample Question 4
You recently
attended a conference on climate change. Write a letter to the organizer,
giving feedback and suggesting improvements.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Ms.
Robinson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to provide feedback regarding the climate change conference I attended
on March 18th.
Firstly, I would like to mention that I found
the conference informative and well-organized. The speakers were knowledgeable,
and the sessions provided valuable insights into the current state of climate
action.
Secondly, I would be grateful if future
conferences could include more interactive discussions. I believe a Q&A
session after each presentation would allow participants to engage more
actively with the speakers and each other.
I look forward to your response and hope these
suggestions are helpful for future events. Please let me know if you need any
further information.
Thank you for
your efforts in organizing the conference.
Yours sincerely,
Tridev Sahu
Sample Question 5
You have recently moved into a new
flat, but you have some issues with the apartment that need to be addressed.
Write a letter to the landlord asking for repairs.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Mr. Davis,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to inform you about a few issues I have encountered in the apartment I
recently moved into, located at 12 Maple Street.
Firstly, I would like to mention that there
seems to be a problem with the plumbing in the bathroom. The sink is clogged,
and the water drains very slowly, which is quite inconvenient. I would
appreciate it if you could arrange for this to be fixed at your earliest
convenience.
Secondly, I would also like to ask whether it
would be possible to inspect the heating system. It is not providing sufficient
warmth, and the apartment remains quite cold, even when the thermostat is
turned up.
I look forward to your response and hope we
can resolve these issues soon. Please let me know if you need any further
information.
Thank you for
your attention to these matters.
Yours sincerely,
Sristi Gupta
Sample Question 6
You recently purchased a faulty
electronic device from a store. Write a letter to the store manager requesting
a replacement or a refund.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Ms. Clarke,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to inform you that I recently purchased a tablet from your store, and
unfortunately, I have encountered a fault with the device.
Firstly, I would like to mention that the
tablet’s screen began flickering within a few hours of use, and it is now
completely unresponsive. I am disappointed, as I expected better quality from
your store.
Secondly, I would be grateful if you could
arrange for a replacement or issue a refund for the defective product. I have
attached a copy of the receipt for your reference.
I look forward to your response and hope this
matter can be resolved promptly. Please let me know if you need any further
information.
Thank you for
your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Rashmita Dahal
Sample Question 7
You are writing to a company to
inquire about their new product. Write a letter asking for more details about
the product's features and pricing.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Mr. Thomas,
I hope this
letter finds you well. I am writing to inquire about your new smart speaker,
which I saw advertised on your website.
Firstly, I would
like to mention that I am interested in learning more about the features of
this product. Specifically, I would like to know if it is compatible with other
smart home devices and if it supports multiple languages.
Secondly, I would
also like to ask whether you offer any discounts for early purchases or bulk
orders. Additionally, could you provide information on the pricing and warranty
terms?
I look forward to
your response and hope to make a purchase soon. Please let me know if you need
any further information.
Thank you for
your time and assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Sowyam Shrestha
Sample Question 8
You have recently experienced a delay
in receiving a package that you ordered online. Write a letter to the delivery
company to express your concern and request an update.
Sample
Answer:
Dear Ms. Walker,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am
writing to express my concern about a delayed delivery of a package I ordered
from your company on March 5th.
Firstly, I would like to mention that the
package was supposed to arrive by March 10th, but it has still not been
delivered. I understand that delays can happen, but I would appreciate an
update on the status of my order.
Secondly, I would be grateful if you could
look into this matter and let me know when I can expect the package to be
delivered. If possible, I would appreciate tracking information so I can
monitor the progress of the delivery.
I look forward to your response and hope the
situation can be resolved soon. Please let me know if you need any further
information.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Sarada Dhakal
1.
You have recently moved to a new neighborhood. Write a letter to your neighbor.
Bullet points:
- Introduce yourself
- Say why you are writing
- Ask about local facilities
Answer:
Dear Mr. Sharma,
My
name is Prakash Adhikari, and I’ve recently moved into the house next to yours
on Maharajgunj Street. I hope you don’t mind me writing to introduce myself and
ask a few questions.
I
relocated here from Pokhara last week due to a job transfer, and I’m still
settling in. As I'm unfamiliar with this area, I was hoping you could kindly
help me with some information.
Could
you please let me know where the nearest grocery store and medical clinic are
located? Also, I’d love to know if there are any local parks or gyms nearby. I
am quite fond of morning walks and would appreciate any suggestions.
Looking forward to meeting you in
person soon.
Warm regards,
Prakash Adhikari
2.
You missed an appointment with your teacher. Write to apologise.
Bullet points:
- Apologise for missing the appointment
- Explain the reason
- Ask to reschedule
Answer:
Dear Mr. Roberts,
I
hope you are doing well. I am writing to sincerely apologise for missing our
scheduled appointment yesterday at 3 p.m.
Unfortunately,
my younger brother fell ill suddenly, and I had to rush him to the hospital. It
was an unexpected emergency, and I couldn’t inform you in time. I truly regret
any inconvenience this may have caused.
If
possible, could we please reschedule the meeting for later this week? I would
appreciate the chance to discuss my project and get your valuable feedback.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Sujata Thapa
3.
You want to take time off work to attend a training course. Write to your
manager.
Bullet points:
- Describe the course
- Explain why it is useful
- Request time off
Answer:
Dear Mr. Gupta,
I
hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a few days off to
attend a professional development course next month.
The
course is titled “Digital Marketing Strategies” and will run from June
10th to June 14th. It is organised by the Nepal Marketing Association and
focuses on tools and trends essential for modern marketing professionals.
I
strongly believe this course will help me perform better in our ongoing
campaigns and contribute more effectively to our team's success. May I kindly
request five days of leave to attend the program?
I’ll ensure all my current
responsibilities are managed before my absence.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Ravi Neupane
4.
You found a wallet in your office. Write to your colleague.
Bullet points:
- Describe where you found it
- Mention the contents
- Ask how to return it
Answer:
Dear Anita,
I
hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to inform you that I found a wallet
yesterday under the table in the staff canteen.
The
wallet is black leather and contains several ID cards, including one with your
name on it, along with some cash and receipts. I believe it must be yours.
Please
let me know when you’re available so I can return it to you. If you’re not coming
to the office soon, I can leave it with the receptionist or drop it off at your
desk.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Nabin Bhatta
5.
You are going on vacation and need someone to look after your house. Write to
your neighbor.
Bullet points:
- Say when you are leaving
- Ask them to water plants/check mail
- Offer something in return
Answer:
Dear Mrs. Rana,
I
hope everything is going well with you. I wanted to let you know that I’ll be
out of town from May 15th to May 22nd for a family trip to Pokhara.
I
was wondering if you could kindly help me by watering my garden every two days
and collecting any mail from my postbox. I would be truly grateful for your
assistance.
In
return, I’d be happy to bring back some souvenirs or help with anything you
need when I return. Please let me know if you're available to help.
Thank you in advance!
Warm regards,
Manish Karki
6.
Your friend has invited you to a birthday party, but you can’t attend.
Bullet points:
- Thank them for the invitation
- Explain why you can't come
- Suggest another time to meet
Answer:
Dear Rina,
Thank
you so much for inviting me to your birthday party this Saturday. I was really
looking forward to celebrating with you.
Unfortunately,
I won’t be able to attend as I have a family wedding on the same day, and I
must travel to Chitwan for the ceremony. I’m truly sorry to miss your special
day.
Let’s
catch up next week for lunch or coffee if you’re free. I’d love to hear all
about the party!
Wishing you a joyful birthday in
advance!
Warm wishes,
Sneha Sharma
7.
You would like to join a local sports club. Write a letter to the club manager.
Bullet points:
- Introduce yourself and your background
- Explain the sport you’re interested in
- Ask about membership and facilities
Answer:
Dear Mr. Khadka,
My
name is Suman Acharya, and I recently moved to this area from Butwal. I have
been playing badminton for over five years and would love to continue the sport
at your club.
I
heard from a colleague that your facility offers excellent courts and evening
training sessions. I’m particularly interested in joining the
intermediate-level group and attending practice twice a week.
Could
you please let me know the membership fee, training schedule, and if there are
any requirements to join? I’d also like to know if you provide equipment or if
I need to bring my own.
Looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
Suman Acharya
8.
You want to reduce your working hours. Write to your supervisor.
Bullet points:
- Explain your current work schedule
- Give reasons for reducing hours
- Suggest a new schedule
Answer:
Dear Ms. Pandey,
I
hope you are well. I am writing to request a reduction in my working hours due
to some personal responsibilities I must manage over the coming months.
Currently,
I work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. However, my mother has recently been
unwell and requires daily care at home, especially during the afternoons.
Would
it be possible for me to shift to a part-time schedule, perhaps from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m., starting next week? I will ensure my duties are covered and that
productivity remains unaffected.
I appreciate your understanding and
support.
Sincerely,
Sarita Neupane
9.
You are going to organize a farewell party for a colleague. Write to your
manager.
Bullet points:
- Inform about the farewell
- Suggest a date and venue
- Ask for approval and contributions
Answer:
Dear Mr. Joshi,
I
hope you're well. I am writing to inform you that we are planning a small
farewell gathering for our colleague Mr. Rajan Shrestha, who is retiring at the
end of this month.
We
are thinking of organizing the event on Friday, the 25th, at 4 p.m. in the office
meeting hall. A few of us will bring snacks and drinks, and we plan to prepare
a short video to honor his service.
Could
you kindly approve this plan and let us know if the date and venue are
suitable? Also, if possible, a small contribution from the company for a gift
would be much appreciated.
Looking forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Bijay Bhattarai
10.
You are not satisfied with a course you are taking. Write to the course
coordinator.
Bullet points:
- Describe the course and your expectations
- Explain why it didn’t meet your needs
- Suggest improvements
Answer:
Dear Ms. Rawal,
I
hope you are doing well. I am currently enrolled in the “Effective Business
Writing” course at your institute and wanted to share some feedback.
I
enrolled with the hope of improving my report-writing and email communication
skills. However, most of the classes so far have focused on grammar basics and
general vocabulary, which I already have experience with.
It
would be more useful if the course included more advanced content like case
studies, formal reports, and workplace communication tasks. Also, group
activities or peer reviews could enhance learning.
I hope you consider this feedback
for future sessions.
Best regards,
Anita Limbu
11.
You borrowed something from a colleague and it got damaged. Write to explain.
Bullet points:
- Say what you borrowed
- Describe what happened
- Offer to repair or replace it
Answer:
Dear Binod,
I
hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to let you know about the Bluetooth speaker
I borrowed from you last weekend.
Unfortunately,
during a small family gathering, my nephew accidentally knocked it off the
table, and it now has a crack on the side and doesn’t work properly. I feel
terrible about this and sincerely apologise.
Please
let me know if I can buy a replacement or if you’d prefer I pay for the
repairs. I want to make sure you are not at any loss because of my
carelessness.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Kiran Basnet
12.
Your friend’s relative has just moved to your city. Write to the new arrival.
Bullet points:
- Introduce yourself
- Offer help settling in
- Suggest meeting up
Answer:
Dear Sunita,
I
hope this message finds you well. I’m a friend of your cousin Sushma, and she
told me you’ve just moved to Kathmandu for your new job.
Welcome
to the city! I’ve lived here for five years now and would be happy to help you
settle in—whether it's finding a good grocery store, a doctor, or the best
local food spots.
Would
you like to meet this weekend for coffee or lunch? That way, I can show you
around and help answer any questions you may have.
Looking forward to meeting you soon.
Warm regards,
Rekha Maharjan
13.
You want to recommend someone for a position in your company. Write to your
manager.
Bullet points:
- Introduce the person
- Explain their qualifications
- Suggest how they fit the role
Answer:
Dear Mr. Rai,
I
hope you're well. I’d like to recommend a candidate for the marketing assistant
vacancy in our team—my former university classmate, Puspa Aryal.
Puspa
holds a degree in Business Administration and has three years of experience in
digital marketing with a reputed firm in Pokhara. She is creative, organized,
and has strong communication skills.
I
believe she would be a great addition to our team, especially with our upcoming
projects that require someone with a digital-first mindset. I’ve attached her
CV for your consideration.
Please
let me know if you’d like me to arrange an introduction.
Best regards,
Anuj Poudel
14.
Your company is relocating to a new office. Write to inform your clients.
Bullet points:
- Give the new address and date of move
- Mention any service disruptions
- Reassure continued support
Answer:
Dear Mr. Sharma,
I hope this message finds you well.
I’m writing to inform you that our office will be relocating to a new address
effective from June 5th, 2025.
Our new location is: Second Floor,
Galaxy Tower, Putalisadak, Kathmandu.
There
may be brief service delays between June 4th and 6th as we shift our equipment,
but we will ensure all your inquiries and support needs are handled promptly
afterward.
We
truly appreciate your continued trust in our services and look forward to
serving you from our new space.
Warm regards,
Bipin K.C.
Customer Service Manager
15.
You want to take part in a local volunteer program. Write to the organizer.
Bullet points:
- Mention the program you're interested in
- Describe your skills or experience
- Ask how to join
Answer:
Dear Mr. Tamang,
I
recently read about your “Clean Green City” volunteering initiative, and I’m
very interested in joining the campaign.
I
have prior experience with local clean-up projects and tree plantation drives.
I also manage a small social media page that promotes eco-friendly habits and
would be happy to contribute online awareness too.
Could
you please let me know the steps to register as a volunteer? I’m available on
weekends and would love to participate in upcoming events.
Looking forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Samiksha Joshi
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment