General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · giving information

Letter to a Tennis Course Director Requesting Flexibility: IELTS formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 178 words
  • Formal letters
  • Giving information
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You saw an advertisement for a tennis course in England but you have one or two problems and can't stay the whole course.

Write a letter to the course director. In your letter:

  • →explain your interest in the course
  • →describe your problems
  • →find out if a refund is possible

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8178 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to express my strong interest in enrolling in your intensive summer tennis programme in Eastbourne this July. Having followed your academy’s reputation for excellence for several years, I am keen to refine my technique under your professional guidance.

However, I have encountered an unforeseen scheduling conflict. While I was initially planning to attend the full two-week duration, I have just been informed of a mandatory work commitment that requires my presence during the final four days of the course. Consequently, I will only be able to participate from the 10th to the 18th of July.

Given this truncated attendance, I would like to enquire whether it is possible to receive a partial refund for the days I am unable to attend. I understand that your policies are strict, but I hope you might consider a pro-rata adjustment under these exceptional circumstances.

Please let me know if this arrangement is feasible or if you require any further information from my side. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Thorne

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

The letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural details and maintaining a consistently professional, polite tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the specific nature of the problem, leading to a vague letter that lacks persuasive depth.

  • →Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
  • →If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
  • →No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • intensive

    concentrated and focused on achieving maximum results

  • unforeseen

    not anticipated or predicted before it happened

  • truncated

    shortened by cutting off the end

  • enquire

    to ask for information from someone

  • pro-rata

    proportionally allocated based on the specific amount

  • feasible

    possible to do easily or conveniently

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

The letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural details and maintaining a consistently professional, polite tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the specific nature of the problem, leading to a vague letter that lacks persuasive depth.

Keep practising

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