After being involved in an accident, you were looked after by a person you did not know before. Write a special thank you letter to express your gratitude. In your letter: introduce yourself and let him/her know why you are writing express your appreciation and offer him/ her to visit your home with his/her family
Sample Response
Dear George, You were so kind and Godsend to look after me after I was involved in an accident last Monday. I am writing to express my immeasurable admiration for your altruistic and brave action. I am Simon Annand, a math teacher at the Cherry Blossom high school, and I live with my family at 24 Abbey Rise Street, London. On my way to the school at around 8.30 am last Monday, my motorbike crashed with a private car near Aberdeen Drive and I lost control. I was severely injured and could not move or pick up my bike. If you had not decided to help me, the situation could have been worse. I am so grateful to you for your kind help and generous words. You even took the burden to take me to a nearby hospital and that was so noble of you. I cannot express enough how thankful I am to you. When my parents and wife heard about how courageously you assisted me, they prayed for you even though they have never met you before. I regret that I could not thank you enough. Please accept my invitation to visit our home at your convenience and allow my family to thank you properly. I have recovered quickly and the thanks go to you. Please visit us with your family and let our brief encounter becomes an opportunity to know you more. Yours truly, Simon
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Word form Original: Godsend Suggested revision: a godsend Why it matters: Godsend is a noun and needs an article here.
- 2. Natural gratitude Original: immeasurable admiration Suggested revision: deep gratitude Why it matters: Admiration is possible, but gratitude is more suitable for a thank-you letter.
- 3. Proper name Original: the Cherry Blossom high school Suggested revision: Cherry Blossom High School Why it matters: A school name should be capitalised and normally does not need the article.
- 4. Article use Original: On my way to the school Suggested revision: On my way to school Why it matters: To school is the natural phrase when referring to the regular workplace context.
- 5. Accident collocation Original: crashed with a private car Suggested revision: collided with a private car Why it matters: Collided with is the natural verb for an accident involving another vehicle.
- 6. Unnatural phrase Original: took the burden to take me Suggested revision: took the trouble to take me Why it matters: Take the trouble means make an effort to help someone.
- 7. Natural phrase Original: the thanks go to you Suggested revision: I owe much of that to you Why it matters: The original phrase sounds awkward and too literal.
- 8. Verb form Original: let our brief encounter becomes Suggested revision: let our brief encounter become Why it matters: After let, use the base verb form: become.
- 9. Natural phrase Original: generous words Suggested revision: reassuring words Why it matters: Reassuring words better describes what someone says after an accident.
- 10. Adverb placement Original: When my parents and wife heard about how courageously you assisted me Suggested revision: When my parents and wife heard how courageously you had assisted me Why it matters: Had assisted is clearer for an action completed before they heard about it.
- 11. Avoid contradiction Original: I regret that I could not thank you enough. Suggested revision: I regret that I could not thank you properly at the time. Why it matters: This avoids repeating cannot thank you enough with a slightly different meaning.
- 12. Sentence rewrite Original: You were so kind and Godsend to look after me after I was involved in an accident last Monday. Suggested revision: You were so kind, and your help was a godsend after I was involved in an accident last Monday. Why it matters: This fixes the word form and keeps the warm tone.
Suggested Rewrites
- Godsend a godsend
- immeasurable admiration deep gratitude
- the Cherry Blossom high school Cherry Blossom High School
- On my way to the school On my way to school
- crashed with a private car collided with a private car
- took the burden to take me took the trouble to take me
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter fully achieves the purpose: it introduces the writer, explains the accident, expresses gratitude, and invites the helper and family to visit. The tone is warm and suitable, though occasionally over-emotional.
Keep the warmth but make the appreciation slightly more controlled and concrete.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response follows a clear narrative from accident to help to invitation. It is easy to follow, but one long paragraph and some repeated thanks reduce cohesion.
Use short paragraphs for the accident, the appreciation, and the invitation.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is expressive and varied, but several word choices are unnatural, including Godsend, admiration for your action, and took the burden.
Choose natural gratitude phrases that sound heartfelt without being exaggerated.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most meaning is clear, but there are errors with articles, verb patterns, and clause forms.
Review adjective/noun forms and verb agreement in sentences with let and become.