General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · complaint

Formal Letter to Manager Regarding Parking Difficulties: 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.
  • 203 words
  • Formal letters
  • Complaint
  • 20 minutes

The task

Your workplace does not have a parking area for cars, and it is causing some problems.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:

  • →describe the problems
  • →explain why should solve the problems
  • →and give your suggestions on how to solve the problems

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8203 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to formally express my concerns regarding the persistent lack of parking facilities at our office premises, which is significantly impacting staff morale and productivity.

Currently, employees are forced to search for street parking in the residential zones surrounding the building. This process often consumes thirty minutes of our mornings, frequently resulting in late arrivals for early meetings. Furthermore, the limited availability of nearby spaces has led to several staff members receiving parking fines, creating unnecessary financial stress and distraction during working hours.

Addressing this issue is vital for maintaining our operational efficiency. When colleagues arrive flustered due to parking struggles, their focus is compromised. Moreover, providing adequate facilities would demonstrate a commitment to employee welfare, which is essential for staff retention in our competitive sector.

I would like to suggest that the company considers leasing a section of the vacant lot adjacent to the warehouse, which currently sits unused. Alternatively, negotiating a corporate rate with the multi-storey car park on Baker Street would offer a secure and convenient solution for all employees. I am happy to assist in researching the costs associated with these options if required.

Thank you for considering this request.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan 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

A Band 8 response addresses all bullet points with professional, cohesive arguments and maintains a consistently respectful, formal tone throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to offer concrete, actionable suggestions, instead merely complaining about the problem without proposing a way forward.

  • →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

  • persistent

    continuing to exist over a long period

  • premises

    a building and the land it sits on

  • flustered

    feeling agitated, confused, or nervous

  • operational efficiency

    the ability to deliver products or services effectively

  • retention

    the action of keeping staff at the company

  • adjacent

    next to or adjoining something else

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?+

A Band 8 response addresses all bullet points with professional, cohesive arguments and maintains a consistently respectful, formal tone throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to offer concrete, actionable suggestions, instead merely complaining about the problem without proposing a way forward.

Keep practising

More complaint letters

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