General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · request

Inquiry to car hire company regarding accessible vehicle: 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.
  • 182 words
  • Formal letters
  • Request
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You are going on holiday and you would like to hire a car. One of your parties is in a wheelchair.

Write a letter to a car hire company. In your letter:

  • →explain the reason you need the car
  • →describe the type of car you need
  • →ask what the price is and what it includes

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8182 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Customer Service Team,

I am planning a holiday in the Lake District this coming July and wish to enquire about your vehicle rental options. My family and I require a car to ensure we can travel comfortably throughout the region during our ten-day stay.

Specifically, I need a vehicle that can accommodate a wheelchair user. It is essential that the car has a large boot or a ramp-access system, as one member of our party uses a motorised chair that cannot be folded down. Furthermore, we require an automatic transmission, as this is a necessity for the primary driver in our group.

Could you please provide a detailed quote for this type of vehicle for the period of 10th July to 20th July? I would also appreciate clarification on what this price includes. Specifically, I need to know if comprehensive insurance, roadside assistance, and unlimited mileage are covered in the initial quote, or if these are considered optional extras.

I look forward to receiving your proposal and confirming the availability of a suitable vehicle for our trip.

Yours faithfully,

Arthur Pringle

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 letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently professional tone throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to explain the specific requirements of the wheelchair user, instead providing vague requests that do not allow the company to provide an accurate quote.

  • →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

  • enquire

    To ask for information about something specific

  • accommodate

    To provide enough space for a particular person

  • motorised

    Equipped with an engine or electric motor

  • transmission

    The mechanism that transfers power from the engine

  • comprehensive

    Including all or nearly all elements of something

  • clarification

    The action of making a statement less confused

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 letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently professional tone throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to explain the specific requirements of the wheelchair user, instead providing vague requests that do not allow the company to provide an accurate quote.

Keep practising

More request letters

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