IELTS Formal Letter: Letter to Library Manager Regarding Unexpected Closure

The task

You recently visited your local library but found it closed.

Write a letter to the library manager. In your letter:

→explain when you visited and why
→ask for their current opening hours
→inquire if they offer online services

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8199 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding my recent visit to the Central Library, which I found unexpectedly closed upon my arrival. As a frequent user of your facilities, I rely heavily on your services and was disheartened to find the doors locked during what I believed to be standard operating hours.

I arrived at the library premises at approximately 10:30 am this past Tuesday, intending to borrow several academic texts required for my ongoing research project. Having checked the website previously, I was under the impression that the facility would be fully accessible to the public at that time, yet I discovered no signage explaining the closure.

Could you please clarify the library’s current operating schedule? I would appreciate it if you could confirm the exact days and times you are now open to ensure my future visits are successful.

Furthermore, I would like to inquire whether the library currently provides any online services, such as digital book loans or remote access to academic databases. If such resources are available, please provide details on how I might register for these platforms.

Thank you for your assistance with these queries.

Yours faithfully,

Jonathan Sterling

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 maintains a consistently formal tone while addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural details. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to inquire about online services, focusing only on the closure and physical opening hours.

→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

disheartened
Feeling a loss of enthusiasm or confidence.
premises
The land and buildings owned by an organization.
operating schedule
The specific times when a facility is open.
academic databases
Organized collections of scholarly articles and research papers.
inquire
To ask for information from someone.
accessible
Able to be reached or entered easily.

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?+

Keep practising

More giving information letters

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