IELTS General Training Writing Task 1Â Topic:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You paid a refundable deposit when you rented an apartment. You left the apartment in good condition but the landlord won’t return your deposit.
Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter
• explain why you are writing
• ask for the return of your deposit
• inform the landlord of possible legal action
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear …
PLAN YOUR ANSWER:
Sample Answer for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Topic:
Dear Mr. Garfield,
I am writing to request the return of the $200 deposit that I paid to you before I rented No. 6A, Wayfield Terrace for the month of May. When I telephoned your office i was told that you are not intending to repay this money and I am unable to understand the reason for this.
When I signed the rental agreement it was my understanding that the deposit would be returned if the apartment was vacated clean and undamaged. This was the condition of the flat when I returned the keys. I cleaned the whole apartment and there were no breakages and no damage to fittings or furniture.
I believe that I have kept to the terms of the agreement and therefore I respectfully request that my deposit be repaid in full. I shall have no alternative but to seek legal advice if we are unable to resolve this matter in a satisfactory manner.
Yours sincerely,
Alexei Ivanov
Notes
• Note the use of a variety of verb tenses in this letter – past tense when the writer is reporting events that happened before writing and present or present continuous tenses for the situation at the time of writing.
• The tone of the letter is firm but polite even in the third paragraph (I respectfully request…)
• Ending the letter with Jours faithfully,’ is a more formal alternative in a letter of this type. These days Yours sincerely’ can also be used in such a letter.
