Best IELTS Writing Information – IELTS Semi-Formal Letter Topics.

depositphotos_7932028-Quill-pen-and-ink-well-with-paper-scrollI receive many requests for sample IELTS letter topics and in my last post, I gave you some IELTS formal letter topics

In this post, I’m giving you a selection of IELTS semi-formal letter topics.  What do I mean by ‘semi-formal’?  Well, basically these letters are less formal than formal letters, but they are certainly not ‘informal’.

You will notice that for some of the topics, I have noted the book they came from.

Don’t forget that you do not need to write your address or the date in letters in the IELTS Writing Test.

If you would like to like me to mark and give you feedback on your practice letters, please contact me.

________________________________________________________________

You are due to start an English language course next week but you will not be able to because you have some problems.

 

Write a letter to the manager of the language school. In your letter:

  • explain your situation
  • describe your problems
  • tell him/her when you think you can start.

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr ___ or Ms ____(NOT Dear Manager)

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. (name) and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

________________________________________________________________

You recently took a part-time job working in a local company. After a few
weeks, you realised there were some problems with the job.
Write a letter to the manager of the company. In your letter

  • explain why you took the job
  • describe the problems that you experienced
  • suggest what could be done about them

 

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr ___ or Ms ____(NOT Dear Manager)

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. (name) and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

________________________________________________________________

You are being sent on a three-month work assignment in Sydney, Australia. You need a place to stay while you are there. Write a letter to the Jason Cripps Real Estate Agency. In your letter:

  • explain the situation
  • describe the kind of accommodation you would like
  • provide the dates you will need it

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr. Cripps,

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. Cripps and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

________________________________________________________________
You are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event. Write a letter to your supervisor. In your letter:

  • Request time off
  • Explain why you need to leave early
  • Reassure him / her that your studies will not suffer

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr ___ or Ms ____(NOT Dear Supervisor)

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


(Question taken from Action Plan for IELTS Self-study Student’s Book General Training Module by Vanessa Jakeman and Clare McDowell)

(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. (name) and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

_____________________________________________________________
You have been living in a rental apartment for the past two years. A few weeks ago a new neighbour moved in who has loud parties several times a week. Write a letter complaining about this to the landlord. In your letter:

  • explain the situation
  • describe why it is such a problem for you
  • suggest a solution

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms _____________,

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. (name) and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

________________________________________________________________
You exercise regularly and have been a member of many different gyms and sports clubs. Recently, you moved into a new neighborhood and joined a new gym. You have noticed that people at this gym do not wipe down the machines after use and often leave dirty towels on the benches in the change rooms. Write to Mr Chang, the manager. In your letter:

  • explain who you are
  • describe the problem exactly
  • make suggestions to improve the gym

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr Chang,

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. Chang and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

________________________________________________________________

You are holding a farewell party next Saturday night for the members of your English language course and their partners. The farewell party will take the form of an outdoor barbecue with people bringing a dish from their country; about 20 people are coming and it may continue into the late hours. Write a letter to your elderly neighbour. In your letter:

  • explain what will be happening
  • offer your apologies in advance
  • invite him/her to join the party

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms _________

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Mr. (name) and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

________________________________________________________________
You are supposed to hand in a project for your economics class by March 15th. However, your sister is getting married in Barbados at the same time and the entire family is travelling there for the occasion. You would like an extension on the due date for submitting the project. Write to your professor. In your letter:

  • explain the situation
  • remind the professor of your excellent academic record to date
  • ask for an extension of the due date

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Professor Jenkins

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Professor Jenkins and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

____________________________________________________________

You have received a job offer for a position you have wanted for a long time. You are expected to start on November 15th. However, you can only start a week later due to personal reasons. Write a letter to Mr Davies, your new boss. In your letter:

  • show your enthusiasm for the job offer
  • explain the problem
  • suggest what you can do

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr Davies,

You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.


(NOTE that you will start your letter Dear Professor Jenkins and end with ‘Yours Sincerely’)

____________________________________________________________

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

3 thoughts on “Best IELTS Writing Information – IELTS Semi-Formal Letter Topics.

  1. Hello,

    Firstly I want to know that some times in the letter mention that write a letter to your supervisor to extend the report deadline. Can we start this with Dear professor Michael, is it ok or Dear Mr Michael, so please giude me which one is correct. Secondly some times write a letter to your professor that you cannot attend the presentation, so in this case can we write Dear professor Michael or Dear Mr Michael,
    Comments about these
    Thanks and Best wishes
    M.Nadeem

  2. Hi Muhammad,

    It depends on the relationship you have with your professor.

    What is his official title? I’m assuming Michael is his first name and his surname is, say, Smith. Is he actually a professor? Is his official title Professor Michael Smith or Mr Michael Smith?

    When you speak to him, how do you address him? Do you call him Michael or Mr Smith or Professor Smith?

    Depending on what you call him (how formal your relationship is), you could write Dear Michael or Dear Professor Smith / Mr Smith (depending on his official title). We do not usually use Mr. / Ms. etc with a first name; only a surname.

    Hope that helps.

    Alanna

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