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

Semi-Formal Letter 1

Your colleague is traveling from another country by plane for a meeting. You have arranged the airport pickup, hotel accommodation and planned his/her meetings. Write a letter to your colleague.

In your letter, you should:

• say when and where you will meet him/her
• explain where he/she will stay
• tell him/her about the other arrangements you made.

Sample Answer

Dear Mr. Fredrick,

I am eagerly looking forward to your arrival. It’s been a long time since we last met. I think we met back when I was in Switzerland on an official stay. Mr David, our general manager, has entrusted me with the task of organising your lodging and transportation. Since we are in the same team and share a good working relationship, it would be comfortable and convenient for you as well. Therefore, I am writing this letter to convey the arrangements to avoid any misunderstandings and last-minute mishaps.

I have made arrangements for a minicab to pick you up from the airport and drop you off at the hotel. You will be staying at ‘IBIS hotel’. It’s a small boutique hotel that is about 60 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the office. I have booked a premium room under your name that you can check in without any difficulties. I have planned the meeting two days following your arrival for your suitability, so you may relax, recover from jet lag, and get a feel of your surroundings. The meeting will take place in your hotel’s conference room number three.

During the weekend, I have also organised a little get-together in my house for you to meet and spend some time with the rest of the coworkers. Most of the colleagues will be joining us.

Waiting to see you soon. Wish you safe travel. Reach out to my number if you need any help.

Yours Truly,
Tuhin

 

Semi-Formal Letter 2

Your workplace does not have a parking area for cars and it is causing some problems. Write a letter to your manager.

In your letter, you should:

• describe the problems
• explain why they should solve the problems
• and give your suggestions on how to solve the problems.

Sample Answer

Dear Mr. Ishaan,

I am writing this letter to bring to your attention that there is a significant shortage of parking space for vehicles in our office building. I am working as a Brand Manager in the Promotional Department of the company. Every day, I struggle to locate a parking spot for my car in the company’s parking lot. I almost wasted a half-hour yesterday trying to find a parking spot.

We are having parking issues due to an increase in the workforce and employees preferring to travel in their personal motor vehicles. Every now and again, you can notice employees squabbling over parking spots. This has escalated into a major issue. As a result, car owners either have to park their vehicles on the roadway or in any available free spot near the office building. Therefore, I suggest that management take rigorous action to avoid the aforementioned problem.

I propose that we form a partnership with a neighbouring vacant space owner and hire a guard to help the car owners. I request you to take the necessary action at the earliest.

Yours Sincerely,
Gagan

 

Semi-Formal Letter 3

You are going to move out of your apartment in an English-speaking country. Your landlord is a very good person, who has assisted you a lot during your stay. Meanwhile, your friend would like to rent the flat after you. Write a letter to your landlord.

In your letter

• Let your landlord know that you will be leaving
• Thank you landlord for his/her help
• Tell him/her about your friend

Sample Answer

Dear Mr. William,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing this letter to let you know that I will be moving out of your apartment after two months. Hence, I request you terminate the apartment’s lease where I have resided for the previous three years.

I am departing from Westminster for good. My parents have recently retired from their different occupations, and there is no one to look after them. Also, my company has agreed to transfer me to an office near my hometown. So, I would like to express my gratitude for the assistance that you gave me during my entire stay when I arrived in Westminster, England. You and your family were really helpful in acclimating me to the area and even provided food for me during my first few days here.

Lastly, my childhood friend Bima is keen to take this apartment for rent. He is an Indonesian too. He is a courteous and generous individual, and I am hoping you would rent this apartment to him when I leave. I can assure you that you can put your trust and faith in him as well.

Yours Truly,
Bayu

 

Semi-Formal Letter 4

Your company introduced a work uniform that you are mostly happy with, except for one thing. Write a letter to your manager and include the following:

• What do you like about the uniform?
• What don’t you like about the uniform?
• Make suggestions on how to improve the uniform.

Sample Answer

Dear Ms Sara,

I am writing this letter to voice my dissatisfaction with our organization’s recently implemented dress code. First and foremost, I would like to express my delight about the uniform’s colour and style. The uniform’s green and yellow combo is a very calming and earthy colour, and it also represents the firm. Moreover, the clothing code promotes consistency and professionalism.

However, I would like to suggest a few modifications our company can make, to improve the uniform. Due to its ill-fitting nature, the new uniform is quite uncomfortable. Poorly fitting uniforms have an impact on a person’s productivity and attitude on a daily basis. The fabric which is used to make the uniform is of low quality, and the material tears in the corners after a few uses.

Therefore, I recommend using a more adaptable fabric, such as cotton or a bit of nylon, to better suit various body shapes. Furthermore, the company should incorporate some variety in the uniform to increase the quality. I hope that you would consider my suggestion. I eagerly await your response.

Kind Regards,

Elvis

 

Semi-Formal Letter 5

You and your colleagues have recently attended a foreign language training course organized by your company. Now you all want to do some more language training.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter,

• say how you and your colleagues felt about the course
• explain why you all want to do more language training
• suggest when and where the training could take place

Sample Answer

Dear Mr. Tony,

I am writing this letter to express my gratitude for the German language training course and to seek more language instruction sessions.

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for organising the fantastic German language training course last week, which my team and I attended. We are undeniably delighted and enthused to be given such a fantastic chance. Since we primarily deal with German clients, it was an essential step for the team. It helped us learn the basics of the German language. It will undoubtedly assist us in strengthening our relationship with our clients and conducting meaningful conversations.

The one-week training was engaging and simple to grasp. While this course was adequate for learning the fundamentals, further training for appropriate communication in German would be useful. We can devote an hour each day to the training, which can be held in conference room number 5, which is usually empty. I hope that my proposal is taken into account and that necessary steps are done for the company’s benefit.

Yours Sincerely,

Justin

 

Semi-Formal Letter 6

You live in a block of flats, your neighbour makes a lot of noise which has caused problems for you. Write a letter to your landlord.

In your letter, you should:

• explain the situation
• tell him/her how you are affected by this
• suggest what you want the landlord to do.

Sample Answer

Dear Ram,

I’m Ranjan Das, your tenant in the flat B003 of apartment Unitech Blossoms. I’m writing this letter to bring to your attention the noise caused by the resident in B004. This issue has been persisting for over a month.

I’m forced to complain about the residents of B004 because I’m not able to tolerate the noise that they make. They have purchased the flat B004, a couple of weeks ago. I’m sorry to complain, but I’ve no choice. Mr. Subrajit, the owner of B004, is a drunkard who beats his wife, and she yells like hell at about 12’o’clock during the night. I would also like you to know that my mother has chronic heart trouble. Due to the screams, she wakes up alarmed and sometimes does not sleep through the night. It is very harmful for her condition. I’ve notified the apartment association about this, but I’m waiting in vain for an action.

Since he owns the house, he does not pay much attention to the complaints caused by tenants. So, I want you to pitch in and solve the problem. Else, I will have to move to another flat.

I would appreciate your intervention in this regard.

Yours Sincerely,

Ranjan Das

 

Semi-Formal Letter 7

You are planning a week-long vacation and you need someone to take care of your house while you are away. Write a letter to your neighbor and tell them that you are going away.

In your letter, you should:

• explain why you will be away.
• ask them to take care of your house
• Explain what tasks you would like your neighbor to do.

Sample Answer

Dear Shyam,

I’m writing to let you know that I’m going on a month’s trip to Delhi with my family to visit my Aunt. I’m utilizing the LTC (Leave Travel concession) component given by my Bank. I need your help and support during this period to take care of my house when I’m away.

I’ve made arrangements for my brother Jim who stays nearby to visit the house every week. I’ve also informed my maid about Jim’s timings. She will come to the house when Jim is in, so that he can monitor the house’s cleaning. Also, I have handed over the keys to security. But I insist that you attend to any visitor who may accidentally visit my place. Also, please collect any letters or couriers in my absence and hand it over to Jim. I hope that it is not too much of a favour to ask. I will also ensure that you get connected with Jim on Whatsapp.

Kindly reply and let me know if you can manage the situation. If not, I will make alternate arrangements.

Yours truly,

Andrew

 

Semi-Formal Letter 8

You moved to a new country and you want to write a letter to your former colleague.

In your letter, you should:

• tell him/her where did you go and what you are doing there (job)
• describe your feeling
• invite your friend to come.

Sample Answer

Dear Samuel,

It has been a while since I spoke to you. I’m writing this letter to inform you that I’ve moved to Brussels to pursue my career as a Senior Consultant in Java at ABC Company. It is one of the prestigious companies here, and I consider myself lucky to have been selected here.

Life is great in Brussels. It has a tremendous maritime temperate climate with summers being warm and winters being cool. Due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, it has an almost pleasant weather throughout the year. There is not much snowfall, though. Nearly 70% of the population in Brussels have foreign origins. If circumstances are favorable, I’m planning to stay here at least for the next ten years.

I know you have a strong background in Java, and Brussels has plenty of opportunities for it. I can arrange for an interview at ABC company itself. Please do send me your Resume. Even otherwise, feel free to come here for a holiday. Brussels is such an artistic place.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,
David

 

Semi-Formal Letter 9

Write a letter to your manager to request setting up a cafeteria for the staff.

In your letter, you should tell:

• what you heard about the inconvenience from the staffs
• how you feel about it
• what suggestion you can give

Sample Answer

Dear David,

I’m writing this letter to inform you about the inconvenience experienced by our staff due to the lack of a cafeteria. As I’m a team lead, I get opportunities to talk to a lot of people, and I heard several of them complain about the lack of a recreational place. Sometimes, I don’t find Harry (a critical team member) at his seat because he has gone to a nearby food joint to have a snack. Though it is at a walkable distance, it takes about half-an-hour for Harry to report at his place.

It is reducing productivity considerably. Some people take breaks for coffee and tea and come back late. The reason they give is acceptable yet bad. This is when I realised the seriousness of having our own cafeteria.

If there is a cafeteria within the premises, people cannot give lame excuses for their absence. They have to come back to their seats by fifteen minutes, which is acceptable. I hope I’ve mentioned enough reasons for having our own cafeteria. It would be helpful if you could discuss with the senior management on establishing a cafeteria within the campus.

Looking forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

John

 

Semi-Formal Letter 10

Write a letter to your colleague asking for help in setting up equipment for your presentation.

In your letter, you should:

• tell when and where the presentation will deliver
• describe your arrangements
• tell him/her what equipment you need.

Sample Answer

Dear James,

I got to know from Jonathan that you are responsible for setting up the presentation room. We have met a couple of times. I hope you can recall.

I’m writing to inform you that I will be giving a presentation on “Jenkins” at Capella Hall, second floor, Building 3 of the Bangalore development center in Electronic city at 5:00 PM, this Thursday. I have booked the room from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We need to get everything arranged by 4:30 PM.

I need your help in setting up devices such as the stand, projector along with a soundbar. As you know, it will be a video conference, and sound systems need to be perfect. Please connect the soundbar to the power supply, switch on the Bluetooth, and let me know the name of the device so that I can pair it with my laptop.

If you find any difficulty while setting up the room, feel free to call me. Do update me when you are done. I will also remind you about this at 3:30 PM on Thursday.

Thanks in advance.

Yours truly,

Darcey