General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · apology

Letter to neighbors regarding recent noise complaints: IELTS semi-formal letter sample

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

Your neighbors have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your house/ flat.

Write a letter to your neighbors. In your letter:

  • →explain the reasons for the noise
  • →apologize
  • →describe what action you will take

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8167 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Henderson,

I am writing in response to your recent note regarding the disturbance coming from my flat over the past few evenings.

I sincerely apologise for the disruption caused to your peace and quiet. I have been hosting my nephew, who is visiting from overseas, and we have been catching up late into the night. It was certainly not my intention to cause any inconvenience, and I feel terrible that my hospitality has negatively impacted your rest.

To ensure this does not happen again, I have spoken with my nephew and explained the importance of respecting our shared walls. We have agreed to move all social activities to the living area, which is furthest from your bedroom, and we will strictly observe a noise curfew from 10:00 pm onwards for the remainder of his stay.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I value our relationship as neighbours and hope that these adjustments will resolve the matter immediately.

Best wishes,

Arthur Miller

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 a natural, polite tone and clear, logical progression. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a specific, actionable plan to resolve the issue, instead offering only a vague apology.

  • →Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
  • →Polite and friendly at once: a few contractions are fine, slang is not. Close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
  • →State the purpose in the first two sentences; small talk costs words you need for the bullets.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • disturbance

    an event that interrupts someone's peace or rest

  • disruption

    a situation that prevents something from continuing normally

  • inconvenience

    trouble or difficulty caused to someone

  • hospitality

    the friendly and generous reception of guests

  • curfew

    a set time after which activities must stop

  • adjustments

    small changes made to improve a situation

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Semi-formal. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.

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 a natural, polite tone and clear, logical progression. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a specific, actionable plan to resolve the issue, instead offering only a vague apology.

Keep practising

More apology letters

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