IELTS GENERAL WRITING TASK 1 - SAMPLE LETTER - 1

Below is a sample letter response to Task 1 of the General IELTS Writing Section. It is a formal letter, which can be identified in several ways:

• ·         the tone, which is official, business-like and serious
• ·         the use of Dear Sir / Madam
• ·         the absence of contractions
• ·         the use of formal expressions (I am writing in connection with...)
• ·         the closing salutation ( "Yours faithfully" instead of the more informal "Yours sincerely" or "Best regards")

GENERAL WRITING TASK 1

·         You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

·         You recently stayed in a hotel in a large city. The weather was very unusual for the time of year and the heating / cooling system in the hotel was quite inadequate.

·         Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter:

·         give details of what went wrong

·         explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time

·         say what action you would like the manager to take

·         You should write at least 150 words.

·         You do NOT need to write your own address.

·         Begin your letter as follows:

·         Dear __________

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing in connection with my recent stay at the Four Seasons in London, England. Unfortunately, due to a malfunctioning heater in my room, I spent three miserable nights at your hotel from April 26 to 29, 2010.

When I arrived in London, there was an unexpected snowstorm. I understand it does not usually snow in April; however, when I got to my room, there was no heat. After complaining, a technician was sent up, who informed me they had to install a new heating unit. When I asked to be moved to another room, I was told the hotel was completely booked. Unfortunately, each night after work I returned to discover the problem had not been rectified. Eventually, I spent three horribly uncomfortable nights, wearing my coat to bed, wearing socks around the room and ending up with a bad cold from the unheated room. I had no time to complain as I had to catch a flight home right after my conference.

I am shocked by this terrible service. This is not what anyone expects for $500 a night! To compensate me for this tremendous inconvenience, I ask that you refund my money right away and offer me a free, more comfortable stay in one of your finer suites in the future. If not, I am prepared to take my complaint to a higher authority.

I look forward to hearing from you at the earliest, 

Yours faithfully,

 Mr Jonas Sing.

(236 words)