IELTS GT Letter Writing Format + Band 8 Samples (Formal & Informal) – Complete Guide for Indian Test-Takers

IELTS GT Letter Writing Format + Band 8 Samples (Formal & Informal) – Complete Guide for Indian Test-Takers

When preparing for the IELTS General Training (GT) exam, one of the most important tasks is Letter Writing (Task 1). Many Indian candidates underestimate it, but this 20-minute task contributes one-third of your total Writing score — which means a single weak letter can drag down your entire band.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about IELTS GT letter writing format, including how to structure formal and semi-formal letters, what examiners look for, common mistakes to avoid, and two Band 8 sample letters — one formal and one informal.

We’ll also share the best preparation resources available in India — the IELTS GT Combo and IELTS Academic Combo, available on Amazon, so that you can learn from real examples and model answers.

Recommended IELTS Prep Books for Indian Students:

• IELTS General Training Combo (Reading + Writing + Speaking): https://amzn.in/d/aKETA51
• IELTS Academic Combo (Reading + Writing + Speaking): https://amzn.in/d/a4i6gXU

 

Understanding IELTS GT Letter Writing (Task 1)

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, you’re given a situation and asked to write a letter. The letter may be:

1. Formal – to someone you don’t know personally (e.g., a manager, official, company).
2. Semi-formal – to someone you know but still in a respectful context (e.g., teacher, neighbor, colleague).
3. Informal – to a friend or relative.

You must write at least 150 words in 20 minutes. The task tests your ability to:

• Present information clearly
• Use the right tone and style
• Organize ideas logically
• Use accurate grammar and vocabulary

General IELTS Letter Format

Every IELTS GT letter — formal, semi-formal, or informal — should follow this clear structure:

1. Opening

• Begin with an appropriate greeting:
• Formal: Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Mr. Sharma
• Semi-formal: Dear Mr. Arjun, Dear Ms. Priya
• Informal: Dear Rohan, Hi Meera

2. Introduction

• State the purpose of your letter immediately in the first line.
  Example: I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the recent service provided by your travel agency.

3. Body Paragraphs

• Develop two or three paragraphs covering the bullet points given in the question.
• Each paragraph should address one bullet point clearly.
• Maintain consistent tone and logical order.

4. Closing

• Summarize your purpose or request politely.
• Add a closing line appropriate for the tone:
• Formal: I look forward to your response.
• Semi-formal: Please let me know your thoughts on this matter.
• Informal: Hope to hear from you soon!

5. Signing Off

• Formal: Yours faithfully (if no name given), Yours sincerely (if you addressed by name).
• Semi-formal: Best regards or Kind regards
• Informal: Best wishes, Take care, Lots of love

Formal vs Informal IELTS Letters – Key Differences

Feature	Formal Letter	Informal Letter
Tone	Professional, polite	Friendly, personal
Contractions	Avoid (use “cannot” not “can’t”)	Acceptable
Vocabulary	Official and neutral	Casual and emotional
Purpose	Complaint, job, request, information	Invitation, thanks, apology, update
Example opening	Dear Sir/Madam	Dear Rahul
Sign-off	Yours faithfully / sincerely	Best wishes / Take care

IELTS Band 8 Formal Letter – Sample Question & Answer

Question:
You recently ordered a laptop from an online store. When it arrived, you found that it was faulty. Write a letter to the manager of the store. In your letter:

• Describe the problem with the laptop
• Explain what happened when you tried to fix it
• Say what action you would like the manager to take

Band 8 Sample Answer (Formal Letter)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to inform you about a serious issue I encountered with the laptop I purchased from your website last week (Order No. #A2461). Unfortunately, the device has a technical fault that makes it completely unusable.

Upon turning it on for the first time, the screen remained blank even though the power indicator was on. I followed all troubleshooting steps suggested in your user manual and even reinstalled the operating system, but the issue persisted. I also contacted your customer support, but they were unable to resolve the matter.

As the product is still under warranty, I kindly request an immediate replacement of the laptop or a full refund of the purchase price. Please arrange for the defective item to be collected from my address at your earliest convenience. I have attached the payment receipt and warranty card for your reference.

I look forward to your prompt response and resolution of this issue.

Yours faithfully,
Rohit Sharma

Why this letter gets Band 8:

• Task fully addressed: all 3 bullet points covered clearly.
• Formal tone and polite phrasing throughout.
• Logical flow with clear paragraphs.
• Accurate grammar, no spelling mistakes.
• Precise vocabulary (“faulty”, “warranty”, “replacement”, “refund”).

IELTS Band 8 Informal Letter – Sample Question & Answer

Question:
Your friend is coming to stay in your city for a few days. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Suggest where he/she should stay
• Recommend some places to visit
• Invite him/her to meet your family

Band 8 Sample Answer (Informal Letter)

Dear Neha,

I was thrilled to hear that you’re visiting Mumbai next week! It’s been ages since we last met, and I can’t wait to catch up with you in person.

For your stay, I’d suggest booking a room at the Sea View Hotel in Juhu. It’s close to the beach and conveniently located near my house. The rooms are spacious, affordable, and come with excellent service. I can even help you make the reservation if you’d like.

While you’re here, you must visit the Gateway of India and Marine Drive in South Mumbai — both offer a perfect blend of heritage and beauty. If you have time, we can also plan a short ferry ride to Elephanta Caves.

My family is equally excited about your visit. They still remember our college days and insist that you come over for dinner one evening. Let’s plan it for Sunday night when everyone is free.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Take care,
Riya

Why this letter gets Band 8:

• Informal, friendly tone appropriate for a friend.
• All 3 bullet points covered with smooth transitions.
• Natural expressions (“can’t wait”, “must visit”, “they still remember”).
• Correct use of contractions and idioms in context.
• Good paragraphing and personal touch.

How to Achieve Band 8+ in Letter Writing

1. Analyze the question carefully – Identify tone (formal/informal).
2. Cover all bullet points – Missing one costs marks in Task Achievement.
3. Use natural linking words – Firstly, In addition, On the other hand, Anyway, By the way.
4. Maintain consistent tone – Don’t mix formal and casual phrases.
5. Stay within 150–180 words – Short letters lose marks for underdevelopment.
6. Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes – Proofread quickly before time ends.
7. Read model letters from trusted books – Learn tone and structure balance.

Best Preparation Resources for IELTS GT Candidates

If you’re preparing in India, these two book combos are among the most complete and practical IELTS prep materials:

• IELTS General Training Combo (Reading + Writing + Speaking): https://amzn.in/d/aKETA51
  🔹 Covers letter formats, vocabulary, and 30+ model answers
  🔹 Includes practice sets for Reading & Speaking as well
• IELTS Academic Combo (Reading + Writing + Speaking): https://amzn.in/d/a4i6gXU
  🔹 Ideal for students taking the Academic module
  🔹 Focused essay techniques, model reports & speaking templates

Both are designed keeping Indian test-takers’ needs in mind and have helped thousands of learners achieve Band 7.5+ and higher.

Further Reading on IELTS Writing

For more advanced guidance, check out these detailed blogs:

•  Master IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips – Learn essay structure, vocabulary & scoring logic.
• Crack IELTS General Training Complete – Your complete GT Reading, Writing & Speaking roadmap.

These resources complement your letter-writing preparation and ensure full coverage of the IELTS Writing module.

Final Thoughts

IELTS GT Letter Writing may seem easy, but true Band 8+ letters require accuracy, organization, tone control, and grammatical precision. You must write with purpose, cover all points clearly, and match your style to the situation.

By following the format, practising the Band 8 samples, and studying with trusted resources like the IELTS GT Combo and IELTS Academic Combo, you’ll dramatically improve your writing confidence.

Buy the Best IELTS Prep Books for India:

• IELTS GT Combo (Reading + Writing + Speaking)
• IELTS Academic Combo (Reading + Writing + Speaking)

Combine these with your reading of:

• Master IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips
• Crack IELTS General Training Complete

…and you’ll have a complete strategy to ace IELTS Writing with confidence.