ielts general writing Task General Training 6

IELTS Course Lesson 26 (GT) – IELTS general writing.

IELTS General Writing Task #6

How to write a Letter of complaints and a Job application letter?

Checklist

Before writing a letter, please consider whom you are writing to and the purpose of the letter:

a complaint (formal)
a suggestion (formal), advice (informal)
an application (formal)
an enquiry (formal), asking questions (informal)
an informal, personal catch-up
good wishes (informal), congratulations (formal)

General tips for a successful writing piece:

check you are using the right tone: formal or informal
make sure that you include all the information that you have been asked to cover
ensure that you completing the task based on the requirements
proofread your work to remove any typos or other mistakes before submitting your work

What is the difference between an informal and a formal letter? Find out below (table)!

Useful Expressions for ielts general writing

	Informal Letter	Formal Letter
	Generally between 2 people that know each other quite well. The tone is similar to a conversation: with numerous questions being asked (showing interest), the use of emotions (i.e. enthusiastic tone…) and a lot of information being shared.	More of a professional or non personal exchange. Both people don’t know each other that well or aren’t on a first-name basis.
Form	You can use contracted forms (I’m, aren’t…)	You must not use contractions
Greetings / Salutations	Hello / Hi / Dear + Recipient’s first name	Dear Madam, Dear Sir, Dear Miss, Dear Mr …., Dear Ms ….
Standard openings	How are you? / I hope you are well. How have you been lately? / How are things? / How are you doing? Thank you for your last letter. It was good to hear from you. I was actually quite surprised to hear that… Do forgive me for not writing sooner. / I am sorry I haven’t been in touch lately. It’s been ages since we last spoke.	I am writing in response to your ad/article/letter… I am writing with regard to… I am writing on behalf of… I am writing regarding…
Receiving information	That is great news about… I am so glad to hear that… I am truly sorry to hear that…	I am writing to thank you for the information you provided me with….
Giving information	You will never believe what/that… Another thing I would like to mention is… I thought you might be interested in knowing / to hear about / to know that.. By the way, did you know that…?	I am writing in order to inform you that…
Apologies	I’m writing to apologise for… I hope you can forgive me for… I’m really sorry that…	I would like to express my sincere apologies…
Complaints	I’m writing to let you know that I am not very happy with the…	I am writing in order to complain about… I am writing to complain about…
Closing	Keep in touch! I look forward to hearing from you. Write (to) me soon.	Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name) Yours faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name) I look forward to receiving your reply. I look forward to hearing from you. I look forward to your reply.

Templates

Email/Letter template: JOB APPLICATIONS

Date: .…/…./……..

Dear…….

(Reason for writing – 1st paragraph): I am writing in connection with…. / I would like to apply for…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………

(Personal details and relevant experience – 2nd paragraph): I am used to working with…. / In addition to this ………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………

(Reason for applying for this job and why you would be the right candidate – 3rd paragraph): My reason for applying for this position is …….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….……

(Availability for the interview – closing): I would be available to attend an interview any day at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name)

Yours faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name)

Email/Letter template: COMPLAINTS

Date: .…/…./……..

Dear…….

(Introduce the complaint – 1st paragraph): I am writing in connection with…. / The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is / The first problem is / My first concern is / First of all …….…….……….…….……….…….……….…….……….…….…………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….….….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….

(Introduce further complaints- 2nd paragraph): In addition to this / In the second place / Added to this / …. was also unacceptable / Not only ….. but also ………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….….…….…….…….….…….…….…….….…….…….…….………………

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….…………….

(Demand action – 3rd paragraph): I suggest that you / I would be grateful if my money was refunded / I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund …….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….……………….

…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….………….…….…….…….…….…….…….…….……………….

(Ending the letter): I look forward to hearing from you / I look forward to receiving your explanation / I look forward to receiving a full refund ………………..………..………..………..………..………………..

Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name)

Yours faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name)

ielts general writing, Letters Practice 1: Applying for a Job

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You have found your dream job advertised online. You are eager to impress the company’s HR department. You write an application letter.

Write a formal email to the HR team. In your email:

- Explain why you would be the best applicant for this job.

- Describe your strengths and weaknesses.

- List your main relevant work experience.

Provide information regarding your availability for an interview.

Write at least 150 words.

Letter Writing Practice 2: Making a Complaint