General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · complaint

Letter to newspaper editor regarding television program review: 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.
  • 194 words
  • Formal letters
  • Complaint
  • 20 minutes

The task

A reporter complained about a new TV program that you like.

Write a letter to the newspaper editor. Describe your point of view. In your letter:

  • →say what you like about the show and why
  • →ask the newspaper to take some action

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8194 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my strong disagreement with the review of the new historical documentary series, 'Echoes of the Past', published in your newspaper last Saturday. As a regular reader, I felt the critic’s assessment was unnecessarily harsh and failed to capture the true merit of the production.

Personally, I find the program exceptional because of its meticulous attention to historical accuracy and the innovative use of primary source documents. Unlike other dramatised series, it avoids sensationalism, instead offering a nuanced perspective on the Industrial Revolution. The cinematography is equally impressive, providing a grounded, authentic atmosphere that brings the era to life without relying on superficial special effects.

Given the overwhelmingly positive reception from the general viewing public, I believe your publication should reconsider its stance. I suggest you commission a follow-up article or a balanced interview with the show’s researchers to provide readers with a more comprehensive overview. It would be a disservice to your readership to allow such a biased critique to stand as the definitive word on such a high-quality educational program.

I look forward to seeing a more objective analysis in future editions.

Yours faithfully,

Arthur Sterling

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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 achieves task achievement by clearly articulating a personal stance and addressing all bullet points with sophisticated, cohesive arguments. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to suggest a specific action for the editor to take, or using overly aggressive language that shifts the tone from formal to confrontational.

  • →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

  • meticulous

    showing great attention to detail and precision

  • sensationalism

    presenting information in a way that provokes excitement

  • nuanced

    characterised by subtle shades of meaning or expression

  • commission

    to formally request a piece of work

  • comprehensive

    including all or nearly all elements of something

  • objective

    not influenced by personal feelings or opinions

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 achieves task achievement by clearly articulating a personal stance and addressing all bullet points with sophisticated, cohesive arguments. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to suggest a specific action for the editor to take, or using overly aggressive language that shifts the tone from formal to confrontational.

Keep practising

More complaint letters

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