A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called 'The book that influenced me most’. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter: - describe what this book was about - explain how this book influenced you - say whether this book would be likely to influence other people
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am delighted to notice that your magazine has invited readers to share their thoughts on the book that influenced them the most. For me, that book is 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank.
This deeply moving diary offers a firsthand account of Anne’s life as a Jewish teenager hiding from the Nazis during World War II. Her reflections on fear, hope, love, and human resilience are profoundly touching. What makes her story even more powerful is her ability to find beauty in small moments despite the horrors surrounding her.
Reading this book changed my perspective on life. It taught me the importance of gratitude, optimism, and standing up against injustice. Her words, so full of wisdom and maturity beyond her years, made me appreciate the freedoms I often take for granted. I now strive to approach life with more kindness and empathy, inspired by Anne’s unwavering belief in the goodness of people.
This book is not just a historical account; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It has the power to influence anyone who reads it, regardless of age or background. I strongly believe that if more people read Anne’s diary, the world would be a more compassionate place.
Thank you for considering my contribution.
I hope more readers will discover this remarkable book through your article.
Yours faithfully,
Summer Lancaster
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural wording Original: delighted to notice Suggested revision: pleased to see Why it matters: “Pleased to see” is a more natural collocation for responding to the magazine's invitation.
- 2. Make it concise Original: the book that influenced them the most Suggested revision: the book that influenced them most Why it matters: Removing the unnecessary article makes the phrase more concise without changing its meaning.
- 3. Use a stronger verb Original: offers a firsthand account of Anne’s life Suggested revision: records Anne’s experiences firsthand Why it matters: The revision is more direct and better reflects the diary form already identified.
- 4. Clarify the action Original: approach life with more kindness and empathy Suggested revision: treat others with greater kindness and empathy Why it matters: The revision expresses the practical personal influence more concretely.
- 5. Use formal emphasis Original: This book is not just Suggested revision: This book is more than Why it matters: This construction gives the contrast a concise, formal tone suitable for a magazine editor.
- 6. Sentence rewrite Original: It has the power to influence anyone who reads it, regardless of age or background. Suggested revision: It can influence readers of any age or background. Why it matters: The rewrite avoids the absolute claim about every reader while preserving the intended broad appeal.
- 7. State the submission purpose Suggested revision: Link the named book explicitly to your contribution for the magazine's proposed article. Why it matters: A more explicit submission statement would sharpen the letter's communicative purpose.
- 8. Explain the wider influence Suggested revision: Connect the stated themes of hope and resilience directly to why readers from different backgrounds could be influenced. Why it matters: The claim about other readers would be more convincing with a reason drawn from the book's already identified themes.
- 9. Combine the closing remarks Suggested revision: Place the two brief closing remarks together in one paragraph before the sign-off. Why it matters: Combining the related courtesies would create a smoother and less fragmented ending.
Suggested Rewrites
- delighted to notice pleased to see
- the book that influenced them the most the book that influenced them most
- offers a firsthand account of Anne’s life records Anne’s experiences firsthand
- approach life with more kindness and empathy treat others with greater kindness and empathy
- This book is not just This book is more than
- It has the power to influence anyone who reads it, regardless of age or background. It can influence readers of any age or background.
Why this response received Band 9.0
The letter fully addresses the magazine brief with an engaging description of the book, a thoughtful account of its personal influence, and a convincing explanation of its wider appeal. Language is precise and varied, and the progression is effortless; the only notable limitation is slight repetition across the two short closing paragraphs. Combine the closing thanks and final hope into one concise paragraph to make an already polished response even tighter.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are fully and convincingly developed in a consistently appropriate formal letter to the editor.
Retain this balanced coverage while keeping the final appeal to readers as concise as the earlier sections.
Coherence and Cohesion
Each idea is logically sequenced and clearly paragraphised, with only minor repetition between the two brief closing paragraphs.
Merge the thanks and the hope that readers discover the book into one cohesive closing paragraph.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and natural throughout, with effective expressions for personal influence, historical context, and wider relevance.
For even greater concision, avoid repeating evaluative words such as powerful and remarkable when the preceding detail already conveys that judgement.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately and flexibly, with virtually no grammatical or punctuation errors.
Maintain this level of control while varying the opening of adjacent sentences to refine the rhythm further.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called 'The book that influenced me most’. Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter:
- describe what this book was about
- explain how this book influenced you
- say whether this book would be likely to influence other people
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.