IELTS Letter

An IELTS Letter is the Task 1 for General Training.

On the following pages you can view some letter writing samples.
Included below each letter are comments so you can understand what is good about the
example, and, therefore, know how to best write your own letters for IELTS.
These are all written by an IELTS instructor, so they are examples of letters that would
achieve a high band score.
The pages have the main types of IELTS letter topics for you to view.

Sample Letter 1 - Personal: Informal

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Example IELTS Letter 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You want to sell your television. You think a friend of yours might like to
buy it from you.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter explain
1. Why you are selling the television
2. Describe the television
3. Suggest a date when your friend can come and see it
You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Model Answer
Dear Gary,
Hope you are doing well.
Im doing fine, though my life is quite hectic at the moment because, as you know, I am
moving abroad and there is so much to do!
There are a few things that I cant take with me because they are too big so I am seeing if any
of my friends would be interested in buying them. One of the things I do not want to take with
me is my television, and I thought you might like to buy it off me for a cheap price.

Its a 32 flat screen TV, and its a Phillips model. It has a USB port so you can just plug in a
thumb drive to watch movies or listen to music. It has great stereo surround sound.
As you know, Im leaving the country at the end of the month, which is only two weeks away.
So if you want to see it, it would be best to come on 20th or 21st. That will give me time to
sell it elsewhere if you are not interested.
Ok, I look forward to seeing you. Let me know if you cant make it.
All the best,
John.
(202 Words)

IELTS Sample Letters

These IELTS sample letters illustrate the different types you may come across in the test.
This is an example where you need to make a request.
It is a letter to a landlord requesting that rent be paid late.
It is semi-formal because it is someone that the letter writer knows.
Below the model answer are comments.
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IELTS Sample Letters - 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are expriencing financial problems and want to ask your landlord if
you can pay your rent late.
Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter explain
1. Why you are writing to him
2. Why you cannot pay the rent
3. When you will pay the rent.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Model Answer
Dear Mr Strickland,
I am writing to you to request that you allow me to pay my rent late this month.
Ive been a tenant with you for a number of years now, and, as you know, I have always paid
my rent on time. However, I am having a few financial problems at the moment. Last month, I
was made redundant from my job because the company I work for is closing down. Because I
have not worked at the company for long, I have not received a redundancy payment,
therefore leaving me short of money this month.
I can assure you that I will be able to pay the rent on the 15th of next month. I have now
found another job, and they have kindly agreed to give me an advance on my wages, but they
are unable to arrange this until next week.
I hope this will be acceptable to you, but please contact me if it is a problem.
Yours sincerely,
John Streetham.

IELTS Sample Letters - Comments

The letter is well-structured as the writer makes it clear in the first sentence why the letter is
being written, gives further details of the problem in the first body paragraph, and then in the
final paragraph sets out when payment will be made.
The tone of the letter is appropriate as it is polite (I am writing to you to request..., I can
assure you...., I apologise for this problem..., please contact me if it is a problem... ).
The opening and closing of the letter are correct for a semi-formal letter to someone if you
know their name (Dear Mr Strickland..., Yours sincerely... ).
There are good examples of correct use of tenses, demonstrating that the writer has a very
good working use of grammar:
1. present continuous for what is happening now: I am having a few financial problems
at the moment
2. past simple passive for events in the past and when the subject is not doing the verb:
I was made redundant
3. Future: I can assure you that I will be able to pay
4. Present perfect: I have now found

IELTS Formal Letter Sample

This is an IELTS formal letter example.

It is formal as it is to an insurance company, and is not to someone that you know. It is an
example of how to write a letter of complaint.

See comments on the letter at the bottom of the page.

IELTS Formal Letter - Example 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Your car insurance company has told you that they are going to increase
the amount you have to pay in insurance for your car each month. You
are not happy about this.
Write a letter to your insurance company. In your letter explain
1. Why you are writing to them
2. Why you think the insurance should not be increased
3. What you want them to do
You do NOT need to write any addresses.

IELTS Formal Letter - Model Answer

Dear Sir / Madam,
I am writing to you as I recently received a letter from you informing me that the insurance
premium for my car is going to increase from next month.
As you will be aware if you check my records, I have held my insurance with your company
for nearly seven years now. During this time, I have never had an accident and never had any
reason to make a claim on my insurance.
I understand that at times prices need to be increased. However, this increase you are
suggesting will result in a 20% increase in the amount I pay each month, a rate I feel is too
much.
I would therefore like you to write back to me and explain why such an increase has been
proposed. If you are unable to justify it to my satisfaction, then I am afraid that I will have no
other option but to move my insurance to another company.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Yours faithfully,
Mr Mahmoud Khan
(Words 169)
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Comments
The answer clearly addresses all the bullet points from the question. The writer gives reasons
why the letter is being written and why the increase is considered unfair, and then goes on to
explain what he wants the company to do to resolve the situation.
The writer expands on his ideas by giving extra details. For example, he explains that he has
had insurance for seven years and never had an accident, and he also explains how the
increase will affect him i.e. result in a 20% rise in his payments. It is important when writing
a letter to give extra information to support the letter whilst remaining on topic.
The tone of the IELTS formal letter is well-controlled, with appropriate opening (Dear Sir /
Madam) and closing (Yours faithfully) phrases, and further phrases that ensure the formal
letter still remains polite (I understand that..., Im afraid..., I look forward to hearing from
you...) despite the fact that it is a letter of complaint.
There are some other good examples of phrases appropriate to a semi-formal or formal letter
(As you will be aware..., I would therefore like you to...).

Idioms
Idioms used in IELTS can help to increase your score in the test. However, there are important
things you should know about them.
If you are not using them properly or trying to use them for the sake of it, it could actually
make your speaking sound worse.
On this page well look at what you should know, some examples and how and when they can
be used in IELTS.

What are idioms?

They are phrases, words or expressions that do not have the same meaning as the actual words
used in the phrase.

In other words, their meaning cannot be taken literally.

For example, we can say:
"Im over the moon that I got a band 7.5 in IELTS".
Obviously you cant take the words over the moon literally. It does not mean the person is
standing over the moon!
The phrase is used when someone wants to express that they are incredibly happy about
something that has happened.
They are also expressions that are grammatically unusual. For example:
"So far, so good".
This means that up until this point in time, things are going well.
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How are they related to IELTS?

This is one of the criteria for achieving a band 7 in IELTS speaking for lexical resource
(vocabulary):
Uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary
This means that the examiner will be trained to spot if you use this type of vocabulary. They
are much less common in formal or academic writing, so they are not mentioned in the
writing band descriptors.
So forget about them for your writing (though they could be used in an informal letter for
General Training).
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Should I learn idioms for the IELTS speaking test?

They should really be quite low down in your priorities when you are preparing for the
IELTS test.
Just because they are mentioned at a band 7 does not mean you will not get a 7 for lexical
resource if you dont use them! And if you do use some, this does not automatically mean you
will get a 7 for lexical resource!
For example, if your general use of lexis throughout the test tends to be at a band 6 level, the
examiner will not give you a 7 just because you fit over the moon in somewhere!

Using idioms at the right time and in the right context is also quite difficult to learn. Native
speakers use them very naturally and in exactly the right context because they have obviously
been brought up with the language and they dont have to think about it.
Imagine you learn the phrase 'over the moon' for the test. You now have to hope the examiner
asks you a question where you can fit it in! That could be unlikely and if you are nervous it is
not something you want to worry about.
If you use them unnaturally because you are trying to fit them in the test it will probably be
noticeable. You need to be at a level where you can use them fairly naturally. Those that can
use them well in the test have not usually studied a book and learned them but have picked
them up through experience, maybe from some time abroad or just from being quite a good
speaker of English.
However, that is not to say you should not study them, but it depends on your situation.
If you are around a band 5.5 level or lower, I would say forget about them for now, or at
least make them a lower priority. You have much more important things to worry about.
You need to work on improving your general vocabulary (for example try practicing the
academic word list and collocations) and improving your fluency and grammar.
If you are at a higher level, and you have time, you may want to start thinking about what you
can do to make yourself just that bit better, and gradually improving you knowledge of these
types of expressions and phrases can help with this.
In the following pages well take a look at them further and there will be practice exercises as
well.
So to begin, check out some of these common idioms.

Common Idioms
Learning common idioms first is the best way to begin building up your knowledge of these
types of words and expressions.
This page has been divided up into 5 tables of 10 words, so you have 50 of the most common
phrases, and you can learn them as a set at a time.
Soon some exercises will be added so you can practice each set of words, so keep an eye on
this page.
Make sure that you have checked that you know exactly what idioms are and when to use
them before you start practicing them.
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Common Idioms List

Set 1
Common Idioms

Definitions

It cost me an arm and a leg to take my trip to

Australia.

Very expensive

I was over the moon when he asked me to marry

him.

Extremely pleased or happy

You are taking your IELTS test next week?? Arent Doing or starting something too early
you jumping the gun. Youve only just started
studying.
He comes round to see me once in a blue moon.

Happening very rarely

Hes got a chip on his shoulder.

Feeling inferior or having a grievance

about something

I reckon getting a band 7 in IELTS will be a piece Very easy

of cake! Im very good at English.
The money sent by comic relief to help poverty in A very small part of something much
Africa is just a drop in the ocean. They need far bigger
more than this.
Getting a low score the first time I took IELTS was Something positive that isnt recognized
a blessing in disguise. It forced me to study
until later
extremely hard so I got a much better score the next
time.
We have to actually do something about global
warming. Actions speak louder than words.

Its better to actually do something rather

than just talking about it

I bumped into Jenny in town the other day. It's a

small world.

Meeting someone you would not have

expected to

Idioms Practice - Test yourself on these first 10 phrases

Set 2

Common Idioms

Definitions

Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS again. Back to the

drawing board!

When an attempt to do something fails

and it's time to start all over again using
different methods
Having two very bad choices.

I hate my job so much I cant bare going to work,

but if I quit I dont think I can get another job. Im (note: stuck/caught can be omitted)
really stuck / caught between a rock and a hard
place.
I have to bite my tongue so I dont say what I
really think of him!

Wanting to say something but stopping

yourself.

Come on, cut to the chase. We havent got all day! Leave out all the unnecessary details and
just get to the point
Are you putting all of your savings into that
Putting all of ones resources into one
company? Dont put all your eggs in one basket. possibility
Try not to worry about it. Every cloud has a silver Believing that every bad situation has a
lining.
positive side / eventually leads to
something good
It was difficult when I moved to another country
but I eventually found my feet.

To become comfortable in what you are

doing

My parents are very fixed in their ways. They

wont start using the internet.

Not wanting to change from the normal

ways of doing things

I think he got up on the wrong side of the bed this To refer to someone who is having a bad
morning. He is in a terrible mood.
day
My mother will always go the extra mile to help
people.

Doing much more than is required when

doing something

Go to the Idiom practice exercise for these 10 words

Set 3
Common Idioms

Definitions

I think youve hit the nail on the head. Thats the Say exactly the right thing
reason he didnt get the job.

Todays going so badly. If its not one thing, its

the other.

When everything seems to be going

wrong

I just said it in the heat of the moment. I was

angry. I know I shouldnt have.

Saying or doing something suddenly

without thinking about it

Keep an eye on him. I think he may cheat in the

exam.

Watch someone or something carefully

Have you heard? John down the road has kicked

the bucket.

Died

I dont want to argue with him again. Its better to

let sleeping dogs lie.

Avoid a conflict

I told him what gift you have bought him for his
birthday. Sorry, I didnt mean to let the cat out of
the bag.

Tell someone something that you were

not supposed to

Dont tell her what you really think of her if shes Hurt or upset someone who is helping
helping you with your English! Dont bite the hand you
that feeds you.
Im not sure which party he is going to vote for.
Hes sitting on the fence.

Not making a firm decision between

different choices

Everything she does is very over the top. She cant Excessive
just have a few drinks se has to get really drunk.
View these 10 idioms in use and practice them

Set 4
Common Idioms

Definitions

Lets keep studying for IELTS. Practice makes

perfect.

Continuously doing something to

improve

Dont get upset about what he said. Hes just

pulling your leg.

Joking around

Sorry but I think Ill take a rain check on that.

To decline an offer that you will take up

later

As a rule of thumb, I dont study at weekends. I

Principal that is strictly adhered / kept to

spend the time with my family.

I can smell a rat. He said he has a PhD but he cant To sense that something is not right
even remember which university he studied at.
Shes the spitting image of her mother.

To look exactly like someone else

The ball's in your court now. What are you going Telling someone it's now their turn to
to do?
make a decision
Unfortunately I think hell be studying for IELTS
until the cows come home. His English is very
poor.

For a very long time

It was all tongue-in-cheek. He didnt really mean

what he said.

Something said in humour rather than

seriously

Shes feeling under the weather today so she

wont be going to work.

Unwell

Go to idioms exercises for Set 4 words

Set 5
Common Idioms

Definitions

We've had some big disagreements over the years,

but its all water under the bridge now. We get on
fine.

Things from the past that are not

important anymore

You are what you eat so its better to have a healthy If you eat bad food, youll be unhealthy,
diet.
if you eat good food, youll be healthy
You cant judge a book by its cover. I need to get to The belief that outside appearances do
know him before I decide what he is like.
not reveal what someone or something
is really like
We're really working against the clock now. We
must hurry.

Not having enough time to do something

Why are we bothering? We're flogging a dead horse. Attempting to continue with something
Our online business is making no money, so we
that is finished / over
should move on and do something else.
I bent over backwards to help him. I hope he

Doing all you can to help someone

appreciates it.
So you have the IELTS test today?? Break a leg.

Good luck

Ok, I'm playing devil's advocate here, but if

marijuana is legalized, isn't it more likely young
people will smoke it?

To put forward a side in an argument

that may not be your own in order to
show the counter-argument / ensure all
sides are discussed

Hold your horses! We haven't won anything yet.

Telling someone who is getting ahead of

themselves to wait / be patient
Annoying or irritating somebody

She is driving me up the wall. She won't stop

talking.
Go to idiom practice exercises for Set 5 words

Now that you know some common idioms you can start to practice with them. Some practice
exercises for the words in the sets above will be added to the site soon.

Musical idioms
Musical Idioms from Grammar.net.
Take a look at this list of English idioms created by Grammar.net that are all music related.
To help you learn these knew phrases I am going to define all of these idioms below (using a
little more information than what is in the definitions in the picture above; keep in mind both
definitions mine and those in the picture are correct). By the end of this post all of these
phrases should be music to your ears.
for a song very cheaply
Example: I bought my new desk for a song at the furniture sale. You will never believe how
little I paid for it.
to set something to music to write a piece of music to accompany a set of words
Example: Colin asked his musician friend to set his poem to music so he could sing it to his
girlfriend.
music to my ears good news; something good to hear
Example: Hearing that you will be coming to visit for 2 weeks is music to my ears. I cant
wait until you get here.
elevator music music that is calm/relaxing; music that is usually played in public places
like on the elevator, at the doctors office, etc.
Example: There is always elevator music playing in the lobby of the hotel, although the
patrons like it, the employees get tired of it.

to face the music to receive punishment; to accept the unpleasant results of ones actions
Example: After robbing 10 banks, the thief finally had to face the music and receive his
punishment of 25 years in prison.
to play it by ear to decide how to deal with a situation as it happens, rather than planning
out what you will do ahead of time
Example: Im not sure if I am going to go to the party tonight, I think Ill just play it by ear
and see how I am feeling later.
jam session when musicians play improvised music; playing music with others without
preparation or a specific arrangement
Example: Every Tuesday night there is a jam session at my house with my closest friends,
sometimes the music can get really loud.
to ring a bell something that seems/sounds familiar
Example: I thought that your name rang a bell when I heard the teacher call roll, you were in
my English class two years ago werent you?
to change your tune to change ones mind; to have a change of heart; to change ones
manner of interacting
Example: The employee was acting very rude to the customers until the manager came over,
then she changed her tune and was very nice to everyone.
chin music meaningless talk or conversation
Example: Whenever those two old friends get together, you can be sure there will be plenty of
chin music.