General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · complaint

Letter to Manager Regarding Recent Employment Issues: IELTS semi-formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 semi-formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 203 words
  • Semi-formal letters
  • Complaint
  • 20 minutes

The task

You recently took a part-time job working for a local company. After a few weeks, you realized 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

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

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

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to share some feedback regarding my position as a junior administrative assistant, which I started three weeks ago. While I was initially very enthusiastic about joining your team, a few challenges have emerged that I feel are important to bring to your attention.

I accepted this role because of your company’s reputation for innovation and my desire to gain hands-on experience in office management while completing my university degree. The flexible hours promised during the interview process were a significant factor in my decision to apply.

However, I have encountered two primary issues. Firstly, the workload frequently exceeds the agreed-upon fifteen hours per week, often encroaching on my study time. Secondly, I have not received the training on the internal database that was promised during my induction, which makes performing my daily tasks quite inefficient.

To resolve these matters, could we schedule a brief meeting to review my contract terms and ensure my hours remain within the original scope? Additionally, I would appreciate it if a colleague could be assigned to guide me through the software navigation to improve my productivity.

Thank you for considering these points. I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Alex Rivers

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 clearly addresses all three bullet points with a professional, consistent semi-formal tone and logical paragraph development. A common Band 6 error is failing to suggest specific solutions or adopting an overly aggressive, informal tone that is inappropriate for a workplace grievance.

  • →Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
  • →Polite and friendly at once: a few contractions are fine, slang is not. Close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
  • →State the purpose in the first two sentences; small talk costs words you need for the bullets.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • enthusiastic

    showing intense and eager enjoyment or interest

  • encroaching

    gradually intruding on someone else's time or rights

  • induction

    a formal process of introducing someone to a job

  • inefficient

    failing to make the best use of time

  • scope

    the extent or range of a particular matter

  • productivity

    the state of being able to produce work

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Semi-formal. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.

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 clearly addresses all three bullet points with a professional, consistent semi-formal tone and logical paragraph development. A common Band 6 error is failing to suggest specific solutions or adopting an overly aggressive, informal tone that is inappropriate for a workplace grievance.

Keep practising

More complaint letters

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