You need to take leave from your work of over one month for personal reasons. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter: - explain the reason for the leave and the length of leave you need - explain how you will keep up-to-date while you're away - suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
Sample Response
Dear Mr. Hommes,
I am writing this letter to ask for a temporary leave for over a month, preferably from the end of November until the beginning of January. My wife just recently gave birth to our daughter and I want to spend this time supporting her and looking after my newborn.
During my break, I would keep in touch with my colleagues to make sure that I do not miss out on any information at the workplace. I will also attend our weekly seminars to keep myself updated on important announcements.
I have asked Steven and Joy and they would be more than happy to work on my project when I am away. They are both excellent employees and I have complete confidence in letting them take over this project.
Thank you and I am looking forward to your reply. Best regards,
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use uncountable leave Original: a temporary leave Suggested revision: temporary leave Why it matters: Leave is normally uncountable when referring generally to authorised absence from work.
- 2. Remove redundancy Original: just recently Suggested revision: recently Why it matters: Just and recently repeat the same time meaning here.
- 3. Clarify the reference Original: looking after my newborn Suggested revision: looking after our newborn daughter Why it matters: This wording identifies the child clearly and keeps the family reference consistent.
- 4. Use precise term Original: break Suggested revision: leave Why it matters: Leave is more precise than break in a formal workplace request.
- 5. State a firm plan Original: would Suggested revision: will Why it matters: The simple future presents this as a definite arrangement during the requested leave.
- 6. Use concise wording Original: miss out on any information at the workplace Suggested revision: miss any important workplace updates Why it matters: The revision expresses the intended workplace meaning more directly.
- 7. Clarify confidence target Original: letting them take over this project Suggested revision: their taking over this project Why it matters: The revision makes the confidence refer to the colleagues' work rather than to the writer's permission.
- 8. Complete the sign-off Original: Best regards, Suggested revision: Best regards, [Your name] Why it matters: A formal workplace letter should include the sender's name after the closing.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: I have asked Steven and Joy and they would be more than happy to work on my project when I am away. Suggested revision: I have asked Steven and Joy, and they have both agreed to work on my project while I am away. Why it matters: This version states the proposed cover arrangement as a clear commitment.
- 10. Develop the leave dates Suggested revision: Add a precise expected return date or a brief first-day-back arrangement. Why it matters: The response is slightly under the expected length, and the leave period is currently given only approximately.
Suggested Rewrites
- a temporary leave temporary leave
- just recently recently
- looking after my newborn looking after our newborn daughter
- break leave
- would will
- miss out on any information at the workplace miss any important workplace updates
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter is clear, appropriately formal, and addresses all three practical requirements with sensible arrangements for staying informed and covering the project. Its main limitation is that several points are only briefly developed, while the response also falls slightly below the expected length and ends with an incomplete closing format. Add a little more specific detail and place the complimentary close and your name correctly.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose is clear, all three bullet points are covered, and the tone is suitable, though the brief response limits development.
Add a specific detail about the handover or how you will participate in seminars while on leave, and meet the minimum length.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically through the request, communication plan, and work-cover arrangement in focused paragraphs.
Integrate the final thanks and request for a reply into a complete closing paragraph before the sign-off.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and appropriate for a workplace request, with generally natural phrases such as 'keep in touch' and 'take over this project.'
Use slightly more precise wording, such as 'newborn daughter' rather than 'my newborn,' and avoid the redundant 'just recently.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of simple and complex sentences is used accurately, and errors do not impede communication.
Refine the final sentence to 'Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your reply' for cleaner coordination and formality.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You need to take leave from your work of over one month for personal reasons. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter:
- explain the reason for the leave and the length of leave you need
- explain how you will keep up-to-date while you're away
- suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.