General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · request

Letter to Student Services requesting a replacement ID card: 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.
  • 168 words
  • Formal letters
  • Request
  • 20 minutes
Write a letter, get a band free →Read the letter

The task

You have lost your student identification card. This has created some problems for you.

Write a letter to the director of student services. In your letter:

  • →advise them of your situation
  • →explain how this is affecting you
  • →request a new card

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8168 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to formally report the loss of my student identification card, which I unfortunately misplaced while commuting to campus yesterday morning. Despite searching my personal belongings and retracing my steps, I have been unable to locate it.

This loss is causing significant disruption to my academic routine. As the library’s automated turnstiles require a valid ID for entry, I have been unable to access the quiet study areas necessary for my upcoming research project. Furthermore, I am currently unable to utilize the campus printing facilities, which is hindering my ability to submit assignments on time.

Could you please advise me on the procedure for obtaining a replacement card? I am happy to pay any associated administrative fees and have already gathered the necessary passport-style photograph for the new document. Please let me know when I might be able to visit your office to finalize the process and collect the card.

Thank you for your prompt assistance with this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Miller

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.

Write a letter, get a band free →

Examiner's view

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response clearly addresses all three bullet points with a professional, consistent tone and cohesive paragraph structure. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to explain the specific consequences of the loss, leading to an underdeveloped response that lacks sufficient detail.

  • →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

  • misplaced

    accidentally lost or put in the wrong place

  • retracing my steps

    going back over the path one has taken

  • disruption

    disturbance that interrupts an event or activity

  • hindering

    creating difficulties that result in a delay

  • associated

    connected with or related to something else

  • prompt

    done without delay or immediate in action

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 clearly addresses all three bullet points with a professional, consistent tone and cohesive paragraph structure. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to explain the specific consequences of the loss, leading to an underdeveloped response that lacks sufficient detail.

Keep practising

More request letters

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Write a letter, get a band free