In the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, you’ll be asked to write a letter in response to a practical, everyday situation. This could be a complaint, an invitation, a request, or — as in today’s example — a polite message to someone you know in a professional capacity. The tone can range from formal to informal depending on the situation, but this example requires a semi-formal approach: respectful and clear, while still warm enough to reflect an existing working relationship.
In this post, we’ll look at a sample letter asking a landlord for permission to keep a dog in a rented property. You’ll see how the letter handles the task effectively, followed by a clear breakdown of why it works — using the IELTS marking criteria as a guide.
The Question
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.
You are renting a house and would like to get a dog. Your landlord, needs to give permission before you can do this.
Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:
explain why you would like to get a dog
describe what kind of dog you are planning to get
reassure your landlord that the property will be looked after
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ………… ,
Understanding the Question
This is a semi-formal letter where you are making a polite request to someone you know in a professional context — your landlord. The key to answering such questions is addressing all three bullet points clearly. Missing any part will affect your Task Achievement score, limiting you to at most a band 5.0.
Since this is a semi-formal letter, start with Dear [First Name] and sign off with Best regards or Kind regards. Maintain a polite, respectful tone throughout — this is a request, not a demand, and the landlord’s goodwill matters. A variable tone will damage your score, so avoid slipping into either overly formal language (“I am writing to request permission…”) or overly casual phrasing (“Just wondering if it’s cool with you…”).
Ensure your letter is at least 150 words to meet the requirements. A longer letter will not lose marks (although you will be losing time for checking mistakes), but a shorter letter is likely to lose marks.
How to Structure Your Answer
A clear structure will help your writing feel natural and easy to follow. Here is a suggested outline:
Opening: Greeting and Reason for Writing Begin with a warm but professional greeting. State clearly that you are writing to ask for permission to keep a dog at the property.
Paragraph Two: Why You Would Like a Dog Give your reasons. These could be personal (companionship, lifestyle change), practical (working from home, more time available), or circumstantial (family decision, recent move).
Paragraph Three: The Type of Dog Describe the breed, size, and temperament of the dog you are planning to get. Mention anything that might reassure the landlord — for example, a small breed, a calm older dog, or one that is already house-trained.
Paragraph Four: Reassurances About the Property Address any concerns the landlord might have. Mention how you will protect the property (for example, professional cleaning, careful supervision, willingness to pay an additional deposit) and invite them to discuss the matter further.
Closing: End on a polite note, thanking them for considering your request and inviting a response.
Key Tips for Writing a Semi-formal Request Letter
Be Polite but Specific: Use respectful language, but make sure your request is clear. Vague letters can frustrate the reader and lower your Task Achievement score.
Anticipate Concerns: Landlords typically worry about damage and noise. Addressing these concerns directly shows maturity and improves the persuasiveness of your letter.
Stay Within the Word Count: Aim for 150 to 180 words. This demonstrates precision and ensures you fully answer the task without being too brief or overly detailed.
Use Clear Paragraphing: Organise your letter into logical sections — typically one paragraph per bullet point — so each idea has its own space.
Model Answer
Dear Mrs. Patel,
I hope you are well. I am writing to ask whether you would be willing to give your permission for me to keep a dog at the property.
Since I began working from home last year, I have spent more time alone than I expected, and I feel that having a dog would make a real difference to my daily routine. It would also encourage me to get out for regular walks, which I know would be good for both my health and my general wellbeing.
I am hoping to adopt a small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from a local rescue centre. The dog is four years old, fully house-trained, and known for being calm and affectionate, so I do not anticipate any disturbance to the neighbours.
I would, of course, take great care to ensure the property remains in excellent condition. I would also be happy to pay an additional deposit and arrange for a professional clean at the end of the tenancy. Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further.
Best regards,
Daniel Hayes
(Word count: 198)
Why This Letter Works
✅ Task Achievement This letter fully addresses all three bullet points. The writer explains the personal reasons for wanting a dog (working from home, companionship, exercise), describes the specific dog they hope to adopt (a four-year-old, house-trained Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), and offers concrete reassurances about the property (an additional deposit, a professional clean, an invitation to discuss). The purpose of the letter is clear throughout, and the tone is perfectly pitched for a semi-formal situation — polite and professional, but warm enough to reflect an existing relationship with the landlord.
✅ Coherence and Cohesion The letter is organised into clear, purposeful paragraphs. Each one serves a function — opening, reasons, the specific dog, and reassurances. Ideas are logically connected with smooth linking phrases such as “Since I began working from home”, “It would also encourage me…”, and “I would, of course, take great care…”. These cohesive devices guide the reader through the request without disrupting the natural rhythm of the letter.
✅ Lexical Resource The vocabulary is varied, precise, and well-suited to the context. Expressions such as “make a real difference to my daily routine”, “fully house-trained”, “calm and affectionate”, and “remains in excellent condition” show that the writer can use natural collocations and idiomatic phrases effectively. The language remains polite and appropriate throughout — neither too formal nor too casual.
✅ Grammatical Range and Accuracy There is a good mix of sentence structures, including conditionals (“I would, of course, take great care…”) and modals (“would be willing”, “would make a real difference”, “would also be happy”), which enhance the polite, hypothetical tone of the request. Sentences vary in length and construction, and the writing is clean, with no grammatical errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support meaning and flow.
Practice Makes Perfect
Writing semi-formal letters can be challenging, but with regular practice, you’ll improve your ability to stay on topic and meet the IELTS requirements. Try writing your own response to this question, then compare it to the model answer above.
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