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IELTS General Practice · Question

When writing a formal letter for IELTS Writing Task 1, which opening is generally most appropriate if you don't know the recipient's name?

In formal letters where the recipient's name is unknown, 'Dear Sir/Madam' is the standard and most appropriate opening in Canadian/British English conventions.

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Question: When writing a formal letter for IELTS Writing Task 1, which opening is generally most appropriate if you don't know the recipient's name?

Answer options: ✅ Dear Sir/Madam,

  • Hi there,
  • Yo team,
  • To whom it may concern (avoid if possible)

Correct answer: Dear Sir/Madam,

Explanation: In formal letters where the recipient's name is unknown, 'Dear Sir/Madam' is the standard and most appropriate opening in Canadian/British English conventions.

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