General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · other

Letter to City Council opposing historic building demolition: 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.
  • 181 words
  • Formal letters
  • Other
  • 20 minutes

The task

Your city council is planning to pull down one of the historic buildings in your town because they do not have funds to renovate it. As a citizen, you do not want it to happen.

Write a letter to the city council. In your letter:

  • →say what the importance of this historic building is
  • →mention why it should be renovated rather than pulled down
  • →suggest a plan to raise funds and maintain the building in the future

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8181 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Members of the City Council,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed demolition of the Old Town Library. This structure is a cornerstone of our local heritage, representing the architectural ingenuity of the late nineteenth century and serving as a poignant reminder of our community’s intellectual history.

Rather than destroying this landmark, the council should prioritise restoration. The building’s masonry remains structurally sound, and its unique aesthetic provides a sense of place that modern glass-and-steel developments simply cannot replicate. Demolishing such an iconic site would result in an irreversible loss of our town’s character.

To address the funding shortfall, I suggest launching a public-private partnership. By applying for heritage conservation grants and offering naming rights to local businesses, we could secure the necessary capital. Furthermore, once renovated, the building could function as a multi-purpose cultural centre, hosting exhibitions and workshops. These activities would generate a consistent revenue stream, ensuring the facility remains self-sustaining for future generations.

I urge you to reconsider this decision and explore these alternatives to preserve our shared legacy.

Yours faithfully,

Arthur Pendelton

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

This response earns a Band 8 by fully addressing all bullet points with sophisticated vocabulary and a consistently formal, persuasive tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide a concrete, logical funding plan, often resulting in vague suggestions that do not demonstrate clear task achievement.

  • →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

  • cornerstone

    An important quality or feature on which something depends.

  • poignant

    Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

  • replicate

    To make an exact copy or reproduce something.

  • shortfall

    A deficit of something required or expected.

  • self-sustaining

    Able to continue in a healthy state without help.

  • legacy

    Something handed down from the past or ancestors.

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?+

This response earns a Band 8 by fully addressing all bullet points with sophisticated vocabulary and a consistently formal, persuasive tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide a concrete, logical funding plan, often resulting in vague suggestions that do not demonstrate clear task achievement.

Keep practising

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