You need to take two weeks off work to deal with a family matter. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter: - explain why you need the time off - say when you would like to take it - suggest how your work could be covered
Sample Response
Dear Mr Baker,
I am writing to ask for two weeks of leave in September. My mother is having an operation on 8 September, and I will need to look after her at home while she recovers.
I would like to take the time off from Monday 7 September to Friday 18 September. I have checked the department calendar, and there are no client meetings scheduled during that period. If those dates are difficult for the team, I would be happy to move the second week to October.
As for my work, I have already spoken to Kenji, and he has agreed to cover the weekly reports while I am away. I will also prepare detailed notes on the two current projects before I leave, and I will update the shared folder so that the team can find the client files without me. If anything urgent comes up, I will be reachable by email.
I would be grateful if you could let me know whether this is possible.
Yours sincerely, Taro Yamada
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use formal verb Original: ask for Suggested revision: request Why it matters: Request is a concise formal choice for a letter to a manager.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: two weeks of leave Suggested revision: two weeks' leave Why it matters: The possessive time expression is more idiomatic in a formal leave request.
- 3. Use formal wording Original: having Suggested revision: undergoing Why it matters: Undergoing is a more precise formal verb for a planned medical procedure.
- 4. Keep terminology formal Original: take the time off Suggested revision: take leave Why it matters: Take leave is slightly more formal and consistent with the opening request.
- 5. Choose precise adjective Original: difficult Suggested revision: inconvenient Why it matters: Inconvenient describes the possible scheduling impact more precisely.
- 6. Clarify paragraph focus Original: As for my work Suggested revision: Regarding work coverage Why it matters: This transition identifies the final required bullet point directly.
- 7. Use formal phrasing Original: If anything urgent comes up Suggested revision: If any urgent matter arises Why it matters: The revision maintains the meaning in a more formal register.
- 8. Name the request Original: whether this is possible Suggested revision: whether you can approve this leave request Why it matters: The revision makes the closing request explicit rather than relying on the vague pronoun this.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: I will also prepare detailed notes on the two current projects before I leave, and I will update the shared folder so that the team can find the client files without me. Suggested revision: Before I leave, I will prepare detailed notes on the two current projects and update the shared folder so the team can access the client files in my absence. Why it matters: This version removes repetitive clause structure and presents the two preparations more smoothly.
- 10. Clarify urgent cover Suggested revision: Specify who will handle urgent project matters, since Kenji is currently assigned only the weekly reports. Why it matters: This would make the proposed work-cover arrangement fully operational during the absence.
Suggested Rewrites
- ask for request
- two weeks of leave two weeks' leave
- having undergoing
- take the time off take leave
- difficult inconvenient
- As for my work Regarding work coverage
Why this response received Band 8.0
The letter is highly effective: it gives a clear reason and exact dates, anticipates scheduling concerns, and offers detailed, practical cover arrangements in a professional tone. There is no substantial weakness, although the closing presentation and a few expressions could be polished for maximum formal precision. Put the complimentary close and name on separate lines and keep the otherwise excellent specificity and concision.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are fully and specifically addressed, with a clear purpose, well-developed arrangements, and an appropriate managerial register.
For an even more complete request, briefly indicate whether you will remain contactable throughout both weeks or only for urgent matters.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is logically organised into focused paragraphs, and each stage of the request follows naturally from the previous one.
Separate the complimentary close and the writer's name onto their own lines to sharpen the conventional letter structure.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is precise, natural, and well suited to a professional leave request, including effective detail about reports, projects, and client files.
Continue using this level of specificity while varying the repeated phrase 'I will' where a natural alternative is available.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex and simple structures are varied and consistently accurate, with punctuation supporting clear, fluent reading.
Preserve this strong control while experimenting with one more compact participle or relative-clause structure where it remains natural.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You need to take two weeks off work to deal with a family matter. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
- explain why you need the time off
- say when you would like to take it
- suggest how your work could be covered
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.