You borrowed an important textbook during the last term from a classmate. You now realize your classmate has returned home overseas and you still have the book. Write a letter to him/her. In your letter: - apologize for the mistake - find out how important the book is to him/her - say what you will do Dear...............,
Sample Response
Dear Sara, Hope you and your family are doing great. I didn't attend classes for a few days due to a serious viral fever. Once I came back to join the class, I heard that you've moved to India. I hope you had a pleasant journey. On that day, I realized that I borrowed the 'Introduction to Computer Science' book from you and forgot to return it. I'm really sorry for not returning your book as promised. I guess, this book is very important to you for your further studies in India as you have told me once that you are joining an advanced computer course in your home country. Could you let me know if you really require this book for your next course? If so, how quickly do you need it? I'm wondering whether I should send a scan-copy of this book or sent you money to buy the same copy from India. Alternatively, I can send this book via a courier service, and you'll likely receive it in two weeks. Waiting for your reply. Take care. Warm regards, Janaka
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Sentence fragment Original: Hope you and your family are doing great Suggested revision: I hope you and your family are doing well Why it matters: A complete opening sentence is smoother and more polished.
- 2. Natural time clause Original: Once I came back to join the class Suggested revision: When I returned to class Why it matters: This is more concise and idiomatic.
- 3. Past perfect Original: you've moved to India Suggested revision: you had moved to India Why it matters: The move happened before the writer heard about it, so past perfect is more accurate.
- 4. Clear reference Original: On that day, I realized Suggested revision: Then I realised Why it matters: "On that day" is vague because more than one day has been mentioned.
- 5. Comma use Original: I guess, this book is very important Suggested revision: I guess this book is very important Why it matters: No comma is needed after "guess" in this clause.
- 6. Tense and order Original: as you have told me once Suggested revision: as you once told me Why it matters: This is the natural word order and tense for a past conversation.
- 7. Add urgency Original: do you need it Suggested revision: do you need it back Why it matters: The phrase makes the task focus clearer: whether the classmate needs the book returned.
- 8. Correct compound Original: scan-copy Suggested revision: scanned copy Why it matters: "Scanned copy" is the standard phrase.
- 9. Verb form Original: sent you money Suggested revision: send you money Why it matters: Use the base verb after "should" in the coordinated phrase.
- 10. Precise noun Original: the same copy Suggested revision: another copy Why it matters: The writer cannot buy the same physical copy in India.
- 11. Natural phrase Original: via a courier service Suggested revision: by courier Why it matters: This is shorter and more natural.
- 12. Closing sentence Original: Waiting for your reply Suggested revision: I am waiting for your reply Why it matters: Use a complete sentence or a standard closing such as "I look forward to your reply".
Suggested Rewrites
- Hope you and your family are doing great I hope you and your family are doing well
- Once I came back to join the class When I returned to class
- you've moved to India you had moved to India
- On that day, I realized Then I realised
- I guess, this book is very important I guess this book is very important
- as you have told me once as you once told me
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter fulfils the purpose well: it apologises, asks whether Sara needs the textbook, and offers several practical solutions. The tone is friendly and suitable for a classmate, though the explanation could be slightly more direct and the final plan could be prioritised more clearly.
State the preferred action first, such as sending the book by courier, and then mention scan or money as backup options.
Coherence and Cohesion
The message progresses naturally from greeting and background to apology, questions, and possible solutions. It is easy to follow, but it is written as one dense block and some time references are a little loose.
Use short paragraphs for background, apology, and proposed action so the reader can locate each bullet point quickly.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is generally natural and precise enough for the situation, with phrases such as "advanced computer course" and "courier service". A few collocations are awkward, including "scan-copy" and "sent you money".
Replace informal or inaccurate collocations with standard phrases such as "scanned copy" and "send you the money".
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Most sentences are clear and a range of forms is used. Accuracy is reduced by fragments, tense choice, and a few verb-form errors, but these rarely block meaning.
Proofread verb forms after modals and coordinate structures, especially around "send" and "sent".