[SEP – DEC 2021] IELTS General Writing Task 1 Actual Tests With Answers: Semi-formal Letters (Part 3)

Semi-Formal Letter 1

You are working for an international company. You have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your work. Write a letter to your manager.

In your letter, you should:

• describe why you want to take the course
• explaining how it will be beneficial to the company
• tell who will be managing your work in your absence.

Sample Answer

Dear Prasad,

I’m writing to let you know that I need permission to attend a two-day workshop on “Effective Management” which will be conducted in our Gurgaon office. I got to know about it from an internal email yesterday. I want to register for the workshop.

I’m leading a team now and soon would like to move to the next step in my career, team management. So this workshop will help me learn the techniques of management. From the program chart, I understand they have sessions on “Dealing with customers,” “How to attract business,” and “Promotion of products.” These are essential skills that need to be acquired when managing a business. Overall, it will help me serve the company in a better way.

During my absence, Sheela can take over the team. She has around six years of experience and is technically sound. She is capable enough to clarify the doubts of team members. Also, I would be giving her a plan which she can execute.

Please be considerate and permit me to attend the workshop.

Yours faithfully,

Sarath

 

Semi-Formal Letter 2

You work for an international company, and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country. Write a letter to your manager.

In your letter:

• explain why you want to work in the company’s head office for six months
• say how your work could be done while you are away
• ask for his/her help in arranging it

Sample Answer

Dear Victor,

I am writing this letter to tell you that I am interested in working in the headquarters of our company situated in California for a brief period of six months. I need this opportunity to better understand the client’s needs and gain insight into California’s work culture. It will help me improve my efficiency and, in turn, help us to build a long term relationship with the clients.

Although we have frequent client calls regarding the new projects, I would like to travel to California to understand the hardware setup. I am also planning to request a knowledge transfer session on the hardware division, which will help me assist my team in developing better software.

During my absence, Noah can take up responsibilities. He has proved his abilities, and I’m confident that he will be able to assist the team. Also, I’ll check my email regularly and respond to queries from team members here. All I need is your approval to work in the head office. I would request you to process my Visa application at the earliest.

Looking forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

John

 

Semi-Formal Letter 3

You recently went to a concert and thought one of the band players was very good. You want to tell how you feel. Write a letter to the band player.

In your letter:

• say how you feel about his/her performance
• give details of your music-related activities
• explain how you would like him/her to help you with your music-related activities

Sample Answer

Dear Fredrick,

First of all, many congratulations on your extraordinary guitar performance at “Susanna Hall.” I’m a great fan of yours and was thrilled watching you perform live. The music gave me goosebumps. It is one of the moments that I would treasure in my life forever.

I’m a budding guitarist, and also a member of the local music band. We have performed at several mini-concerts in nearby areas. I’ve also written songs on my own and played them. Sometimes, I was able to sense that the audience liked them.

I listen to many guitarists to fine-tune my music. But I’ve never got a chance to meet any of them. Having attended your concert, I got encouraged to write to you. I’m hoping you could help me learn the nuances of playing guitar and share valuable tips. Please spend some time with me to help improve my skills. It would be a privilege to learn from you.

Please be considerate of my request. Awaiting your reply.

Yours truly,

Jack

 

Semi-Formal Letter 4

During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants. Write a letter to this businessman In your letter,

• remind him when and where you met
• tell him what kind of job you are interested in
• say why you think you would be suitable for the job

Sample Answer

Dear Mr.Alexander,

I’m Tony Thomas working as Manager in the Alfie Hotel in Mumbai. I would like you to recall our conversation on a flight from Mumbai to Bangalore. We sat next to each other. You were explaining about a new chain of restaurants that you’re going to open in Bangalore and also told me of your plans to hire people for it.

You asked me to get in touch with you, and we got connected on Whatsapp. I did send a linkedin invite, which you accepted immediately. I’ve completed my master’s in Hotel Management from a reputed university in India. Currently, I feel I’m underpaid, which is why I’m looking for other opportunities. I remember you telling me that you’re willing to offer handsome packages for potential candidates. I’m interested in working as a Manager in one of your restaurants in Bangalore.

I’ve an experience of nearly six years in this industry, and I hope my expertise will be beneficial for your project. I’ve also travelled to Japan for six months, and I’m quite familiar with Japanese etiquette. Given an opportunity, I promise to exceed your expectations.

I’ve also attached my resume. Please feel free to contact me in case you have open positions.

Yours truly,

Tony Thomas

 

Semi-Formal Letter 5

The organizer of the annual festival is going to organize the festival in your place. Write a letter to the organizer giving feedback for last year and suggestions for this year.

In your letter, you should:

• give your feedback for the last festival
• tell what you can do for the new festival
• suggestions about the new festival.

Sample Answer

Dear Mr.Ayan,

I’m writing this letter w.r.t to the Diwali celebration that you are organising this year. Since I had been part of the festival organising committee for several years, I would like to share my feedback on last year’s Diwali and suggestions for the upcoming one.

I think you’re aware that Diwali occurs in the rainy season. But, in my opinion, it was poorly planned last year. The committee had planned to burst crackers at night in the open air. The celebration was planned at 7:30 PM, but it started to rain heavily. By the time it stopped raining, it was 8:30 PM. The crackers got wet and were thrown into the bin. We had collected funds for crackers and were not able to give a proper explanation of why they were kept in the open air.

For this Diwali, please don’t keep the crackers in the open air. Please keep them in a separate room and appoint a person to distribute them in small quantities to people. This way, we can add value to the contribution. I can help you purchase the crackers because I know the owner of “ABC crackers” personally. They give discounts for bulk orders. I would also like to make this year bigger than last year, we can add more games this year. Let’s look for small vendors who are willing to sell food in the festival. A mix of crackers, games and food will be amazing and much appreciated.

Also, please write to me about your plans for this festival. I’m as excited as the others about the fast-approaching Diwali.

 

Semi-Formal Letter 6

You promised a friend that you’ll teach their child English. Write a letter to an English teacher that you know to ask for some study books.

In your letter

• Give details of the child
• Explain how you will teach him/her
• Say what books you’d like to borrow.

Sample Answer

Dear Mrs. Sunita,

I hope this letter finds you in radiant health. I think you already know that I’m an ardent fan of your English lectures at the University. I still revere the note of appreciation you gave me during the first semester. Last time, I wrote to you about my business trip to Japan. I made some Japanese friends, and one of them wants me to teach English to her six-year old son, for which I gladly agreed. I’m writing this letter to ask you for some study books which will help me teach better.

Since the child is from Japan, where they don’t teach much English, I’m wondering where to start. He can frame Japanese sentences easily, but when it comes to English, his grammar is abysmal. He is struggling to form sentences.

The reason is that he thinks in Japanese and translates those words into English. I want to train him to think in English first. That way, he will find the language easier. Also, I’ve decided not to talk to him in Japanese. It is still a mystery that he can write complicated Japanese letters and not the comparatively much simpler English counterparts.

I already have the “Wren & Martin,” but I want you to send books like “Collection of Poetries” and some Shakespearean dramas, which I will simplify and narrate as stories and rhymes. If you think anything else will help me, don’t hesitate to add them to the list.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Semi-Formal Letter 7

You have a meeting with your manager the next day. Write a letter telling him/her what you are going to discuss in the meeting.

In your letter, you should tell:

• what you have done for the company in the year you worked there
• what changes you would like to recommend
• what training you require

Sample Answer

Dear Robert,

I’m writing to remind you of the meeting at the Gemini conference room tomorrow morning. Our agenda is to discuss the defects that escaped our testing.

I would like to throw some light on my accomplishments, in the capacity of a lead, last year. When the project was in its initial stages, our team was struggling with a test strategy. I had introduced the process of categorizing the test cases, which enabled easy execution. Also, I was a key member in creating a tool to document our test results. This helped a great deal in improving customer confidence and won appreciations too. Infact, we won two small projects.

With regard to the defects, we need to introduce a new phase between requirements and test plan, where we identify the possible defects for each scenario. We also need to work with the planning and development teams closely to get an upper hand on the defect prone areas in the code. Further, we need to document the scenarios and ensure that we declare testing complete only after finishing this checklist.

Besides, I would like to get trained on the “7-scale” program on defect identification and elimination conducted by our company. I believe that this would help me guide the team in an effective manner.

I’m eager to meet you tomorrow and discuss this in detail.

Yours sincerely,
Jim

 

Semi-Formal Letter 8

Write a letter to your manager to report a mistake you found in a magazine article about your company.

In your letter

• Describe the magazine and the article.
• What was the mistake?
• Explain what you would like the manager to do about it.

Sample Answer

Dear Jack,

I’m glad to inform you that we’re in the news. The “ABC” magazine has written an exclusive article on major acquisitions this year, and it has featured our company in the top 5 list. But I’m afraid we won’t be in the top 5 if they have taken the accurate figures.

The article says that we made some key acquisitions this year, which is true. But it says that we acquired company “X” for a price of 2 million euros. The figures are blown out of proportion. We paid only 1 million euros. Also, it says we made six acquisitions which is wrong. We made only five acquisitions. The calculations were made on six acquisitions and 2 million euros which made us reach the top 5. The magazine has got a huge reputation in the business circles and among the elite community. So it is important for us to have accurate information furnished.

Please permit me to write to them on the same. I will send copies of our actual purchase details as evidence and ask them to recalculate positions. Also, I will urge them to apologize for their carelessness in creating content for the article.

I’m expecting your full cooperation in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Tom

 

Semi-Formal Letter 9

Your family is going to celebrate an occasion and your child needs a day off from school. Write a letter to the headmaster of the school.

Include the following in your letter:

• What the occasion is
• Why it is important that your child attends the celebration, and
• How your child is going to make up for the missed lessons.

Sample Answer

Dear Mr. Paul,

I’m Nalini Gupta, parent of Shyamala Gupta studying in the seventh grade in your esteemed school. I’m writing this letter to request a day’s leave on Thursday, the 10th of November.

My in-laws are staying in Kolkata, and they are celebrating their 40th Anniversary on the 10th of November. I feel it is of utmost importance for my daughter to receive the blessings of her grandparents on the auspicious occasion. Moreover, we’ve invited all the family members for the celebration. So it is an excellent opportunity for my daughter to mingle with people. We’re travelling by air, and will return on the same day.

As a dutiful mother, I promise you that we will make up for the lost classes. I’ve made arrangements for my daughter to borrow notebooks from Keerthy, who is her friend and is studying in the same class. Shyamala is the topper in her class, and I hope she will not have any difficulties in coping up. Besides, I will go over the notes with her and will ensure that she completes all the assignments.

Awaiting your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Nalini Gupta

 

Semi-Formal Letter 10

Write a letter to your trainer to let him/her know that you cannot continue doing a sport activity with him/her.

In your letter

• Give details of the sport activity and your session times
• Explain why you are leaving
• Tell the trainer what you liked about him/her.

Sample Answer

Dear Rita,

I’m writing to inform you about my decision to drop out of the tennis training classes. I had enroled in July and have been attending the evening classes from then on.

I’m a resident of Shastri Nagar, and I opted for tennis training in your Shastri Nagar branch. But we’re moving to a new house in Indira Nagar which is far away from your training centre. I do own a two-wheeler but it would take an hour for me to ride from Indira Nagar to the centre. Considering the traffic in peak hours, which is when we usually leave, it would take more than an hour for me to reach my new home. So I’ve no option but to quit.

I must tell you that you’ve been an excellent trainer. You taught me how to manage the energy levels till the end of the game. Also, your fitness tips were terrific. I know my game has improved tremendously under your able guidance. You’re truly a fantastic coach.

I wish you success in all your future endeavours.

Yours sincerely,

Seema

 

Semi-Formal Letter 11

Write a letter to your former employer to ask him/her for a reference letter to give to your new employer.

In your letter

• Remind him/her about what you were doing in the company.
• Tell him/her about the responsibilities in your new job.
• Ask him/her for a reference letter.

Sample Answer

Dear Nova,

I’m Olivia, the then team lead of the “Digital transformation” team in “The West Guinea Project” in which you were the Manager. It was a fixed price project, and we did win some appreciations from the client. In fact, you had rated me among the top 5 performers. The project was over in 6 months, and we were allotted to different divisions. I did work for another six months in the company. Now I’m switching over to “The Systematic”, where they’re willing to offer me the role of a Business Analyst. The pay is also good. I’m writing to check if you will be interested in giving me a reference.

In my new role, I will collaborate with clients abroad, involve in design and plan, translate requirements and also give directions to a team of four. Additionally, I’ll also be doing some critical pieces of coding. I cleared the technical rounds effortlessly. Considering my experience, they say that I’m a perfect fit for the job.

As I was reporting to you in the “The West Guinea Project”, I think you’re the best person who knows my potential. We’ve had a lot of interactions, and in fact, you told me that I was one of your trusted personnel. So I never gave a second thought and decided to check with you for your willingness to provide a recommendation. Do let me know what you think.

Awaiting your response.

Yours faithfully,
Olivia

 

 

Semi-Formal Letter 12

You work for a company and have recently decided to leave it. Write a letter to your manager.

In your letter

• Tell him/her that you will leave the company.
• Explain what you learned while working for the company.
• Tell him/her what you liked about the company.

Sample Answer

Dear Natalia,

I’m writing to let you know that I want to be relieved from my duties and responsibilities as Team lead effective from 2nd of December. I’m willing to serve the notice period for a month.

As a manager, you have always encouraged me and stood by me during the tough times. I gained immense knowledge in the Digital domain. I also got an opportunity to work with some of the veterans in this field. The proficiency I’ve acquired from interacting with these people will definitely help in the long run. My colleagues were very amiable and approachable all the time. I can never forget the wonderful people I met here.

The company was keen on upskilling people which had strengthened the survivability of its employees in the Engineering sector. I had written many tests while at work, and every time I qualified in an exam, I became more confident. The management was fair and transparent, and there were no instances of bias.

I will ensure that my tasks are completed and will also arrange for a knowledge sharing session with the team members. The world is a very small place, and I’m sure we will cross paths in future.

Yours faithfully,

Sayuri

 

Semi-Formal Letter 13

You have been working in a company for the last two years. Recently, your computer in the office has started giving some problems and it is affecting your work performance.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter,

• describe the problem
• explain how it is affecting your work
• write what you want him to do regarding it

Sample Answer

Dear Ms. Margreet,

I am writing this letter in regards to the computer issue which I have been facing since last month. I have been working in the finance department for the past 3 years, and my employee number is 670043.

Let me explain the issue in detail. My computer has been giving me trouble for over a month. My laptop’s server crashed yesterday when I was attempting to upload a document to the business server. It took almost 6 hours to fix it. A few days back, my computer became hot, so I got a little worried. My laptop becomes stuck from time to time, and I have to restart my computer several times a day. This laptop problem is creating significant delays in my job and negatively impacting my productivity. I even tried to get it fixed through the technician, but he couldn’t help me much.

As a result, I respectfully request that you get my computer fixed or replace it. I hope you will take appropriate action immediately so that I can carry out my work efficiently.

Yours Sincerely,

Den Jones