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General Training Task 1 letter

IELTS General Training Letter: Improving a local park

Question type: General Training Task 1: formal letter

The question

The park near your home is in poor condition and is not used much.

Write a letter to your local council. In your letter: - describe the problems with the park - explain why the park is important to local people - suggest how it could be improved

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,

Write your own answer first. Then get an estimated band and corrections from our AI marker.

Answer this question

How to approach it

  1. Describe specific problems, not just 'the park is in bad condition'.
  2. Explain who uses the park and why it matters to the community.
  3. Give practical, realistic suggestions.

Sample letter

204 words (minimum 150). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing as a resident of Elm Road to draw your attention to the poor condition of Victoria Park and to suggest some improvements.

Over the past few years, the park has been badly neglected. Several benches are broken, the children's play area has a damaged slide that has been closed off for months, and litter bins are often overflowing. In addition, many of the paths are uneven, which makes them dangerous for elderly people and difficult for parents with pushchairs. As a result, fewer and fewer people use the park.

This is a great shame, because Victoria Park is the only green space in our neighbourhood. Most residents live in flats without gardens, so the park should be a place where children can play safely, older people can get some fresh air and neighbours can meet each other.

I would therefore like to suggest a few improvements. Firstly, the play equipment and benches should be repaired, and the paths resurfaced. Secondly, the bins should be emptied more frequently. Finally, the council could consider organising community events, such as a monthly clean-up day, which would encourage local people to take pride in the park.

I hope you will give these suggestions serious consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Martin Kowalski

Useful language from this answer

to draw your attention to
a formal way to point out a problem
has been badly neglected
has not been looked after
This is a great shame, because…
explaining why it matters
I would therefore like to suggest…
introducing suggestions formally
give these suggestions serious consideration
a formal closing request

Common mistakes with this question

  • Using informal language, such as 'Hi' or 'Thanks a lot', in a formal letter.
  • Missing one of the three bullet points. Each one must be covered clearly.
  • Ending with the wrong phrase. After 'Dear Sir or Madam', end with 'Yours faithfully'; after a name, use 'Yours sincerely'.

Now write your own answer

Reading a model helps, but writing is what improves your band. Answer this question and get an estimated band for all four criteria, with corrections taken from your own sentences.

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This model answer was written by TestWise Prep to show the features of a high-scoring answer. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise.