IELTS General Training Paper has a letter writing for Task 1 with a condition of more than 150 words. There are different types of letters to write. In this post, I’m sharing a formal letter from Cambridge IELTS Series 9 General Training Paper Test B on a lost item to an insurance company. Hopefully, this will give you some idea of writing any formal letter describing the given situation. I’ve included a sample answer with vocabulary practice and bonus tips.

The things you need to do first:

You need to read the instruction first and understand how to start the letter, what to write in the body paragraphs and so forth. You must follow the rules of writing a formal letter, so the language has to be formal as well.

Facing a problem with a product or service can be wearisome. The time you’re trying to state a problem to an insurance company, the very first stride should be to talk about your worries with a representative of the company.

A complaint letter is extremely vital. It places your complaint on evidence with the company, helps safeguard any official rights you can have under the circumstances, and allows the authority to recognize you’re serious about pursuing the complaint or claim.

Let’s have a look at an example letter title from Cambridge IELTS Series 9 General Training Test B.

On a recent holiday, you lost a valuable item. Fortunately, you have travel insurance to cover the cost of anything lost.
Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter
• describe the item you lost
• explain how you lost it
• tell the insurance company what you would like them to do

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

……    ….     …   ..   .

Sample Answer:

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing this letter to you as regards my wedding ring and locket which I lost when enjoying a holiday in Amsterdam, Netherlands. My travel insurance policy number with your company is NR207.

I got this jewelry as a wedding gift from my husband a month ago. Both of them are made of pure gold bought from Minar Jewellers in London, UK. I have preserved the receipt copies of the purchased items.

As I was returning from my trip to Amsterdam by train, I left my handbag in the compartment. After some time, I realized I had left the handbag there. With the help of a police officer in the train station, I found the bag as it was, only without the jewelry inside. I instantly made a complaint to the officer about the matter. My complaint number is DF234.

I would, therefore, like you to make an official inquiry into the matter as soon as possible and take essential steps to find the ornaments. If not found, I would like your company to calculate my loss and notify me about starting the claiming process.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
Samantha John.

Important vocabulary with meanings:

As regards: about, concerning, regarding, on the subject of
Preserve: keep, safeguard, store
Purchase: buy
Trip: travel, tour
Compartment: berth, chamber, booth, carriage, cell
Instantly: immediately, directly, right away
Official: formal, valid, proper
Inquiry: inspection, investigation, analysis, audit
Essential: necessary, crucial, fundamental
Ornaments: jewelry
Calculate: count, measure, adjust

Bonus tips:

For the closing of a formal letter, use the following language:

Yours faithfully,
Hope to hear from you soon,
Yours sincerely,
Best wishes, etc.

Click here for Cambridge 12 Test 5 Writing Task 1 answers with solutions

Cambridge 12 Test 5 Speaking answers with solutions

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