Here you can find IELTS Letter samples of Band 9, written by a native English speaker and a former IELTS examiner. Robert Nicholson is the co-author of ‘High Scorer’s Choice’ IELTS Practice Tests book series, created in collaboration with Simone Braverman, the founder of this website.

New letters are being added weekly. Last updated: August 25, 2022

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 1

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 2

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 3

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 4

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 5

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 6

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 7

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 8

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 9

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 10

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 11

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 12

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 13

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 14

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 15

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 16

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 17

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 18

IELTS Band 9 sample letter 19

The post IELTS Letter Samples of Band 9 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 19

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A close relative of yours is having a birthday lunch next week, but you know you will be working. Write a letter to your boss or supervisor to ask for some time off.

In your letter,

– explain the situation and why you particularly want to attend the lunch
– specify the dates, times and amount of time off you will need
– offer to work late or come in early another time to make up for the time

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Mr. Jones / Dear Mrs. Jones,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Mr. Jones,

I am writing this letter to request that you permit me to leave work early next week, on Tuesday, June twenty-second. It will be my grandmother’s eighty-fifth birthday and she is planning an elaborate family lunch beginning at one p.m. and lasting the remainder of the day. She and I are very close, my grandmother having almost raised me as a child, and both she and myself would be very disappointed if I were not able to attend. She has not celebrated her birthday significantly since her children were born and this day will be very special to the whole family.

I am very aware that I would be missing valuable time at the office, but I can assure you that I will make the time up by working late for several days. As you know, I have been a dedicated employee during the three years I have worked for this company and I can assure you that this dedication will not change.

Please consider my request and thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Broad

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The post IELTS Letter, topic: Asking your boss for some time off first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 18

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently visited a museum in your local town and you had a mixed experience. Write a letter to the museum’s manager.

In your letter,

– explain when you visited and what you saw
– explain the positive parts of your experience and what you liked
– explain the negative parts of your experience and give some advice for improvements.

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir / Dear Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir,

My name is Peter Jones and last weekend on the twenty-third of May I visited your American History Museum. Being a history enthusiast, I was looking forward very much to learning about the important events that your museum covers and looking at the displays. In general, the exhibits were well-presented and interesting. I was also impressed with the recreation of various American Revolution events that were acted out by your staff.

However, there were certain aspects of my visit that were quite unsatisfactory and I would suggest that these be improved as soon as possible. I heard that several of the tour guides I passed were giving incorrect information regarding dates, people, events and the impact of certain events. I also found the order of exhibits, though detailed, difficult to follow, for many were not in chronological order. Some exhibits had their information missing and so it was impossible to understand what I was looking at. I would also suggest improving the lighting, for it is quite harsh and creates an unwelcome atmosphere.

Your museum is very interesting, and I hope you can act on my advice to create a more worthwhile experience. I look forward to visiting again soon.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Jones

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The post IELTS Letter, topic: Describing your visit to the museum first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 17

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You have heard that there is a part-time job available in a nearby shop. Write a letter to the shop’s manager, applying for the job.

In your letter,

– specify what job you are applying for
– write about your experience and skills and why you should get an interview
– ask about the hours required for the job and give your preferred hours

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir / Dear Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir,

My name is Suzanne Dunning and I am writing to apply for the part-time position in your clothing shop.

I feel I would be an ideal candidate for the position and have much to offer your business. I have quite a lot of experience working in previous stores and so I am familiar with tasks such as moving boxes, unpacking, stocking and register work. I have a keen interest in and knowledge of fashion; I would be able to create stylish clothing combinations for the mannequins, appealing to your desired demographic that your shop targets. I have also experience at helping customers find the right clothing that suits them. In addition to my experience and knowledge, I am a friendly and hard-working employee who can deal with any situation and I would bring energy and enthusiasm to your shop.

With regards to working hours, I am currently a student and I have classes in the mornings. If I were to receive the position, I would therefore be available to work any afternoons, evenings and weekends. Would this be acceptable?

I hope you have found my details interesting and that you will consider asking me to an interview.

Yours faithfully,

Suzanne Dunning

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Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 16

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently travelled by train on a long journey and you experienced various problems. Write a letter to the train company’s head office.

In your letter,

– give the details of your journey, including the date, time and where you sat
– explain the problems that happened and express your dissatisfaction
– ask about what action will be taken to improve the service

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir / Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir / Madam,

Last week on the twenty-first of May, I travelled from Rome to Berlin as a passenger on the train Express 302, presumably under your management. I experienced several inconveniences and problems throughout the long and strenuous journey, and I would like to make an official complaint.

Firstly, the train was delayed one hour due to a malfunction with the doors. In addition to this, the train had to stop several times throughout the trip for a lengthy amount of time due to other technological problems. As a result, I arrived in Berlin three hours later than initially planned, which drastically changed my personal schedule. Secondly, the train was severely overbooked, and I was switched from first class to second class, where I was made to sit among a loud and obnoxious family. Contrary to what was advertised, there was no Internet available, and I was unable to complete some important business. Finally, when I went to complain calmly about the situation, the on-train personnel were unnecessarily rude.

I hope that you can appreciate that I have had a terrible experience with your company, and I look forward to reading in your reply about what action you intend to take.

Yours faithfully,

John Davies

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The post IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about problems on your train journey first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Set 3 General Training book, Practice Test 15

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You would like to borrow a good camera from a friend. Write a letter to your friend.

In your letter,

– ask your friend if you can borrow the camera
– explain why you want to borrow the camera
– say when you want it and when you will return it

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Roy,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Roy,

I am participating in a theatre event at college next week and have been designated the photographer’s role. I know that you have a single-lens reflex camera of very good quality and would like to ask you if I may borrow it for this event.

The event is next Saturday and Sunday, as there are two performances, and I will be sitting in the audience and going around to get close-ups of the actors. I would need the camera from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If you are happy to leave the camera with me overnight, that would be easier. I promise to take good care of it and lock it away as soon as I am otherwise engaged. I can return the camera to you either on Sunday evening or Monday morning, depending on what suits you best.

Please tell me as soon as possible if you are willing to lend me your camera, as I need to tell my teachers if I will be taking part in the event.

Regards,

Bill

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Set 3 General Training book, Practice Test 14

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You are travelling next month to stay with a family you do not know as part of a language training course. Write a letter to the family to introduce yourself.

In your letter,

– tell the family a little about yourself
– ask about the type of food that the family eats
– say when and how you will be arriving

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Mr and Mrs Greene,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Greene,

My name is Caroline Hague and I am an exchange student about to participate in an English Language Training course in London. The organisation that arranged this course for me has assigned you to be my host family for those four weeks and I would therefore like to introduce myself.

I come from the Netherlands and live in Maastricht, a beautiful and historical city not too far away from the country’s capital, Amsterdam. I would like to know more about the English language, culture and literature, and therefore I have applied for this training course. I am an active outdoor person and love to ride my bike, and I am also passionate about music.

I am interested in the type of food that is popular in your family, as I am a vegetarian. Do you eat a lot of meat? If yes, that’s no problem for me, I will only have to know in advance so I can bring a few essentials.

In a month’s time, on the twenty-second of May, I will be arriving at Gatwick airport at 4 pm. I have seen that you have kindly offered to pick me up and so I will be waiting at the Terminal A pick-up at 5.15 pm. I look forward to meeting you then.

I hope to hear back from you and to see you soon!

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Hague

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Set 3 General Training book, Practice Test 13

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A friend is expecting you to stay with him in two weeks’ time, but unfortunately you forgot that you have a business trip at the same time. Write a letter to your friend.

In your letter,

– apologise and say that you cannot come to visit
– explain why you will not be able to visit
– suggest another time that you could visit

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Tom,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Tom,

I have rather upsetting news for you, for which I am very sorry. Although my stay with you in two weeks has been planned for a while, I will have to cancel.

Yesterday during work, I had another meeting with a colleague regarding the town hall project, which I told you about the past few months. During the conversation, a business trip, which had been planned and booked since last year, came up. I will need to speak to several representatives of other town halls in the area. I had completely forgotten about this, and unfortunately it is at the exact same time as my planned stay at your house. I hope you won’t be too angry with me and allow me to make it up to you in some other way.

Why don’t I come and visit you at the end of your vacation, when you have returned from Europe? I remember you saying that you have three weeks left before going to New York. If that works for you, please get back to me, as I would love to see you before Christmas.

Hope to see you soon!

Best wishes,

Johnny

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The post IELTS Letter, topic: Letting a friend know about your change of plans first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Set 3 General Training book, Practice Test 12

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You and some friends want to start a weekly dance club and you have found a hall that would be suitable to hold your meetings. Write a letter to the owner of the hall.

In your letter,

– explain your and your friends’ project
– ask if it is possible to rent the hall and under what terms
– state what day and what times you would like to use the hall

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir / Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am a student at Mason College and I would like to enquire about the event hall that you own in the city centre.

My friends and I are trying to establish a weekly dance club session and have been on the lookout for a suitable location. The dance club will be focused on Charleston and Rock ‘N’ Roll dancing, which are becoming increasingly popular at our college.

Having inquired at the city’s town hall, I have been given your contact information and would like to ask whether it is possible to rent your hall and what the conditions would be for this. We would need the hall every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. During public holidays and college semester breaks, the hall will not be needed. I would be happy to meet you at the hall one evening after my classes to discuss the possibility of this rental.

I hope to hear back from you soon with a positive reply.

Yours sincerely,

Paulho Gomez

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Set 3 General Training book, Practice Test 11

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently moved to a new house and you want to invite an old friend to stay
with you. Write a letter to your friend.

In your letter,

– invite him to stay and suggest a date
– briefly describe the new house and garden
– say why you like your new house

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Jimmy,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Jimmy,

Guess what! I have finally moved into my new house! The furniture is already arranged and the boxes that you saw at my old apartment last time containing all the decorations have disappeared.

I would love you to come over for a few weeks to stay. I would appreciate your company and we can finish off any last adjustments together. I know that you are creative and so maybe you have some tips for me on how to decorate the living room. Besides a huge bookshelf, a TV and a sofa, I am unsure about what else to put in there. What do you think about next Friday? You can come anytime, but this would be most convenient for me.

I am sure that you will like my new house, just as I do. The garden has exquisite flowers and herbs from its previous owners and the large stove in the kitchen gives you a feeling of nostalgia. In addition to this, the staircase creaks in a funny way, which reminds me of the old house where I lived in as a child.

I am looking forward to your answer and I hope that you can come as soon as possible!

Hugs,

Leah

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