This is an IELTS writing task 1 letter from the real general training exam on the topic of writing a letter to complain a problem with the public transport.

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Dave

IELTS Essay: New Job/City

You use public transport and have been facing issues. Write a letter to the public transport authorities. In your letter include:

• Why public transport is important to you
• What problem you face
• Suggest what can be done to improve public transport

To whom it may concern,

I am writing because there is a problem with the local city bus near my home. I live on Mulberry Avenue near to the train station and must take the bus each morning to get to the downtown where I work as a paralegal at the courthouse. I also take the bus back in the evening if my work is finished early.

The issue in question concerns the deteriorating sanitary conditions of the bus. Public buses have a reputation for uncleanliness but in recent months I have noticed several of the seats emit a foul odor and the windows are building up a thin layer of grime. The smell is noticeable and it is becoming difficult to even see out of the windows.

I suggest that you do an overhaul of the buses on this route. You could begin by removing the seats that are obviously no longer suitable for paying commuters. It would also make sense to regularly clean the windows. These changes should be implemented immediately or I will be forced to lodge an official complaint.

Thank you for your time,

Dana

Analysis

1. To whom it may concern,

2. I am writing because there is a problem with the local city bus near my home. 3. I live on Mulberry Avenue near to the train station and must take the bus each morning to get to the downtown where I work as a paralegal at the courthouse. 4. I also take the bus back in the evening if my work is finished early.

1. Address the letter to someone.
2. Include your purpose for writing.
3. Add in some more detail if you want.
4. Keep adding detail for a higher task achievement score.

1. The issue in question concerns the deteriorating sanitary conditions of the bus. 2. Public buses have a reputation for uncleanliness but in recent months I have noticed several of the seats emit a foul odor and the windows are building up a thin layer of grime. 3. The smell is noticeable and it is becoming difficult to even see out of the windows.

1. Begin to develop the second point.
2. Add more detail to it.
3. Keep developing it.

1. I suggest that you do an overhaul of the buses on this route. 2. You could begin by removing the seats that are obviously no longer suitable for paying commuters. 3. It would also make sense to regularly clean the windows. 4. These changes should be implemented immediately or I will be forced to lodge an official complaint.

5. Thank you for your time,

6. Dana

1. Develop the last point.
2. Keep developing it.
3. Finish developing it.
4. Add a final thought at the end of the letter.
5. Use a phrase like regards or sincerely.
6. Write your name (or a fake one) at the end.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

To whom it may concern,

I am writing because there is a problem with the local city bus near my home. I live on Mulberry Avenue near to the train station and must take the bus each morning to get to the downtown where I work as a paralegal at the courthouse. I also take the bus back in the evening if my work is finished early.

The issue in question concerns the deteriorating sanitary conditions of the bus. Public buses have a reputation for uncleanliness but in recent months I have noticed several of the seats emit a foul odor and the windows are building up a thin layer of grime. The smell is noticeable and it is becoming difficult to even see out of the windows.

I suggest that you do an overhaul of the buses on this route. You could begin by removing the seats that are obviously no longer suitable for paying commuters. It would also make sense to regularly clean the windows. These changes should be implemented immediately or I will be forced to lodge an official complaint.

Thank you for your time,

Dana

Answers

to whom it may concern dear someone

local city bus bus that is near your home

take the bus get on a bus

get to the downtown go to the city centre

paralegal assistant to a lawyer

courthouse where judges and lawyers work

evening night time

issue in question problem relevant here

concerns has to do with

deteriorating getting worse

sanitary conditions how clean it is

reputation how something is regarded

uncleanliness dirty

in recent months last several months

noticed happened to see/smell

emit sent out

foul odor bad smell

building up getting stronger/dirtier

thin layer of grime small amount of dirt

noticeable can be seen

see out of the windows look out the windows

suggest advise

overhaul check over and fix

route way the bus goes

removing taking away

obviously clearly

no longer suitable not usable anymore

paying commuters people who pay to ride

make sense logical

regularly normally

implemented immediately put in place now

forced made to do it

lodge an official complaint make a formal complaint

thank you for your time thanks for listening

Pronunciation

tuː huːm ɪt meɪ kənˈsɜːn
ˈləʊkəl ˈsɪti bʌs 
teɪk ðə bʌs 
gɛt tuː ðə ˈdaʊntaʊn 
pəˈræˈliːgəl 
ˈkɔːtˈhaʊs
ˈiːvnɪŋ 
ˈɪʃuː ɪn ˈkwɛsʧən 
kənˈsɜːnz 
dɪˈtɪərɪəreɪtɪŋ 
ˈsænɪtəri kənˈdɪʃənz 
ˌrɛpju(ː)ˈteɪʃən 
ˌʌnˈklɛnlɪnɪs 
ɪn ˈriːsnt mʌnθs 
ˈnəʊtɪst 
ɪˈmɪt 
faʊl ˈəʊdə 
ˈbɪldɪŋ ʌp 
θɪn ˈleɪər ɒv graɪm
ˈnəʊtɪsəbl 
siː aʊt ɒv ðə ˈwɪndəʊz
səˈʤɛst 
ˈəʊvəhɔːl 
ruːt
rɪˈmuːvɪŋ 
ˈɒbvɪəsli 
nəʊ ˈlɒŋgə ˈsjuːtəbl 
ˈpeɪɪŋ kəˈmjuːtəz
meɪk sɛns 
ˈrɛgjʊləli 
ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪd ɪˈmiːdiətli 
fɔːst 
lɒʤ ən əˈfɪʃəl kəmˈpleɪnt
θæŋk juː fɔː jɔː taɪm

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

T______________________n,

I am writing because there is a problem with the l_______________s near my home. I live on Mulberry Avenue near to the train station and must t_____________s each morning to g__________________n where I work as a p___________l at the c____________e. I also take the bus back in the e________g if my work is finished early.

The i____________________n c__________s the d______________g s_________________________s of the bus. Public buses have a r____________n for u______________s but i_________________s I have n_________d several of the seats e_____t a f_________r and the windows are b_____________p a t__________________e. The smell is n____________e and it is becoming difficult to even s___________________s.

I s___________t that you do an o__________l of the buses on this r_______e. You could begin by r_____________g the seats that are o__________y n____________________e for p__________________s. It would also m_____________e to r____________y clean the windows. These changes should be i_____________________y or I will be f_________d to l________________________t.

T_____________________e,

Dana

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.wired.com/2015/02/best-worst-public-transit-systems-according-twitter/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Public Transport (Model answer available on my Patreon)

1. Does your city use a lot of public transport?
2. When was the last time you used public transport?
3. Will you still use public transport in the future?
4. What would you like to change about the public transport in your city?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Write a letter to the editor to give your opinion about a magazine that you purchased. Include

Why you bought it

What you liked and disliked about it

Suggestions for improvement

IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training Letter: Letter to an Editor (Real Past IELTS Tests/Exams)