General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · request

Letter to Accommodation Officer regarding college course stay: 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.
  • 193 words
  • Formal letters
  • Request
  • 20 minutes

The task

You are going on a short course to a training college abroad. It is a college that you have not been to before.

Write a letter to the accommodation officer. In your letter:

  • →give details of your course and your arrival/departure date
  • →explain your accommodation needs
  • →ask for information about getting to and from the college

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8193 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to finalise the arrangements for my upcoming visit to the Brighton Technical College. I have been accepted onto the intensive two-week 'Digital Marketing Strategies' course, which commences on 14 October and concludes on 28 October. I am scheduled to arrive in Brighton on the afternoon of 13 October and plan to depart on the morning of 29 October.

Regarding my accommodation requirements, I would appreciate a single, quiet room within the college residence halls. As I will be dedicating significant time to my evening studies, a desk with a reliable high-speed internet connection is essential. If possible, I would also prefer a room that is located away from the main common areas to ensure a peaceful environment for concentration.

Finally, could you please provide some guidance on the most convenient method of transport from Gatwick Airport to the campus? I would also be grateful for any information you could share regarding local bus routes or shuttle services that operate between the residential blocks and the main lecture theatres.

Thank you for your assistance with these arrangements. I look forward to receiving your confirmation.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Thorne

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 fully addresses all three bullet points with a clear, professional tone and precise vocabulary that flows naturally. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide specific dates or logistical questions, leading to an underdeveloped response that lacks the necessary detail for a formal request.

  • →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

  • commences

    a formal way of saying something begins

  • finalise

    to complete the last parts of an arrangement

  • essential

    absolutely necessary or extremely important for something

  • residence halls

    buildings where students live while attending college

  • guidance

    helpful advice or information about how to proceed

  • convenient

    fitting in well with a person's needs or plans

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 fully addresses all three bullet points with a clear, professional tone and precise vocabulary that flows naturally. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide specific dates or logistical questions, leading to an underdeveloped response that lacks the necessary detail for a formal request.

Keep practising

More request letters

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