Model answers for Cambridge IELTS Book 11 Task 1 General Letters Written by Mike Wattie, IELTS examiner and author.

Write a letter to your friend about a book that you have read recently. Include the following in your letter:
* describe the book
* say why you want him/her to read it
* tell him/her how to get the book

Hi Steve,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to reach out to you and tell you about this amazing book I just finished reading called The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

It’s a fictional story about a young shepherd named Santiago who embarks on a journey to fulfill his personal legend and discover the true purpose of his life. I couldn’t put this book down.

I think you would really enjoy it too as the writing is so beautiful, and the story is so inspiring. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about your own life and what truly matters. The theme is following your dreams and trusting the universe to guide you towards your destiny.

You can find it in most bookstores, or you can also order it online. If you want, I can even lend you my copy.
Anyway, I can’t wait to hear what you think about it.

Yours Sincerely,
Ben
[158 words]

you recently attended a meeting at a hotel. When you return home, you found you had left some important papers at the hotel.
Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter:
* say where you think you left the papers
* explain why they are so important
* tell the manager what you want him/her to do

Dear Sir or Madam,

I recently participated in a conference at your hotel and unfortunately, I inadvertently left some confidential paperwork behind.

I believe I left a manila folder containing the documents in the conference room where the meeting took place. The name of the room escapes me, but it was adjacent to the main ballroom. I was seated in the front right corner.

The papers are of great importance to me as they contain critical information related to an upcoming project that I am working on. They include a proposal and a plan that I have been working on for several weeks. Losing them would have a significant impact and would delay the project.

I understand that finding lost items can be a difficult task, but I am writing to ask if you could please make every effort to locate the papers. If they are found, I would be exceptionally grateful if you could send them to me at the address provided.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and would like to thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

Yours faithfully,
Alan Norton
190 words

The local council is considering closing a sports and leisure centre that it runs, in order to save money. Write a letter to the local council. In your letter
• give details of how you and your friends or family use the centre
• explain why the sports and leisure centre is important for the local community
• describe the possible effects on local people if the centre closes

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern about the effects on the community that the potential closure of the sports and leisure centre would cause.

I and my loved ones utilize the centre on a regular basis. We use it for different activities such as swimming, fitness classes, and playing sports such as badminton and table tennis.
The facility is an important community resource, and it provides many unique benefits to local residents. It helps to promote physical activity and healthy living, in a safe and accessible space for all ages and abilities.

The closure of the centre would have a detrimental effect. The loss of this valuable resource would mean that many individuals would lose the opportunity to stay active. It would also have a negative impact on the closeness of the community, as it would result in the loss of a social hub where people can meet and spend time together.

I urge you to reconsider your decision to close the sports and leisure centre. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,
James Smith
[182 words]

You work for an international company you have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your job. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter
• describe the training course you want to do
• explain what the company could do to help you
• say how the course will be useful for your job

Dear Mr. Jones,

I am writing to express my interest in an educational program that I have recently become aware of.

The course is called Advanced Project Management and it will be held at the University of Oxford during the full month of August. The course covers topics such as risk management, leadership skills and effective communication.

I would like to request that the company covers the cost of the course and any related expenses such as travel and accommodation. I understand that this may require some investment, but I am confident that my participation in this course will benefit the company in the long run.

I believe that the curriculum will provide me with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve my performance in my role as a project manager and help me contribute more effectively to the company. I will make sure to share my learning with the team and implement the best practices in our current and future projects.
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Yours sincerely,
Ella Browne
[182 words]

You recently organised an all-day meeting for your company, which took place in a local hotel. In their feedback, participants at the meeting said that they like the hotel, but they were unhappy about the food that was served for lunch.
Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter
• say what the participants liked about the hotel
• explain why they were unhappy about the food
• suggest what the managers should do to improve the food in the future

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express some constructive criticism of the all-day meeting that I organized for my company, which was held at your hotel last week.
The attendees particularly appreciated the hotel’s location, convenient parking, and comfortable meeting rooms. They also praised the staff for their warm welcome and helpfulness.
However, they were unhappy with the quality and taste of the food that was served for lunch. They found the food to be cold and lacked variety for those with special dietary requirements.

I understand that providing good quality food is important for any hotel, so I would like to suggest that you should consider some steps to improve the food quality in the future. These could include providing more options for lunch, especially for vegetarian and vegan guests, alongside checking the temperature of the food before serving it.

I hope that my feedback will be helpful to the hotel management in making the necessary improvements.

Yours faithfully,
Ross Karl
164 words

The system used for rubbish/garbage collection in your local area is not working properly. This is causing problems for you and your neighbours.
Write a letter to the local council. In your letter:
• describe how the rubbish collection system is not working properly
• explain how this is affecting you and your neighbours
• suggest what should be done about the problem

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the current garbage collection system in my local area.

The system is not functioning correctly, specifically, garbage is not being collected on the scheduled day resulting in overflowing garbage bins. Although Monday is the official collection day, it is more often Thursday when the bins are emptied.

The unsanitary conditions created by overflowing refuse bins are not only affecting the appearance of the area but also the health and well-being of the residents. Rats and cockroaches are becoming prevalent, invading nearby homes.

I would like to suggest that the local council increases the frequency of garbage collection and hire more staff to ensure that the garbage is collected on time. Furthermore, it would be helpful if the council reviewed the current garbage collection schedule and made necessary adjustments.

I hope that my feedback will be taken into consideration and that the necessary steps will be taken to address this problem.

Yours faithfully,
Kurt Finch
[166 words]

A friend you made while you are studying abroad has written to ask you for help in finding a job in your country. You have heard about a job in a local company that might be suitable for him/her.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves
• say why you think the job would be suitable for him/her
• explain how to apply for the job

Hi Michael,

I hope you’re doing well! I received your letter and I’m glad to hear you’re thinking about moving to Australia. I have come across a job in a local company that might interest you.

The job is at Number One Accountants, it’s an auditor position. The company is looking for someone with experience in forensic auditing, and I think your skills and qualifications would be a great fit. The role entails collecting and analyzing financial evidence as well as identifying and interviewing suspects and witnesses.

I think you would be perfect for this job, it’s a great opportunity to use your talents and experience in a new environment. And since you’re familiar with our language, it would be an easy transition for you.

To apply for the job, you can visit the company’s website and look for the career section. You can submit your resume and cover letter there. If you need any help with your application, let me know and I’ll be happy to help.

Keep me updated on your progress and let me know if you need any other help. Good luck!

Best regards,
Abbey
[188 words]

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