You are going to another country to study. You would like to do a part-time job while you are studying, so you want to ask a friend who lives there for some help. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter: - give details of your study plans - explain why you want to get a part-time job - suggest how your friend could help you find a job
Sample Response
Dear Thomas,
I hope you are doing great. I'm excited to let you know that I'll be moving to Toronto next month to pursue my Master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Toronto. Since you have been living in Canada for a while now, I was hoping you could help me find a part-time job while I study.
The main reason I want to work part-time is to gain international work experience and improve my English communication skills. Additionally, a part-time job would help me cover some of my living expenses, making my stay in Canada more manageable. Given my background in software development, I would love to find a job related to IT, such as a tech support role, web development, or even tutoring in programming. However, I am also open to other opportunities.
Since you are familiar with the local job market, could you suggest where I should start my job search? If you know of any openings or can introduce me to someone who is hiring, that would be really helpful.
Looking forward to catching up soon!
Best regards,
Li Wei
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use adverb form Original: great Suggested revision: well Why it matters: “Doing well” is the standard adverbial expression, though the original is conversationally common.
- 2. Use generic lowercase Original: pursue my Master’s degree in Computer Science Suggested revision: pursue a master’s degree in computer science Why it matters: Generic degree and subject names are normally lowercased.
- 3. Use natural phrasing Original: English communication skills Suggested revision: communication skills in English Why it matters: This phrasing states the language of communication more naturally.
- 4. Be concise Original: job related to IT Suggested revision: part-time IT role Why it matters: The revision is more direct and keeps the requested work type explicit.
- 5. Make list parallel Original: a tech support role, web development, or even tutoring in programming Suggested revision: a tech support role, a web development position, or programming tutoring Why it matters: Each list item should use a parallel role or job form.
- 6. Refine closing request Original: really helpful Suggested revision: a great help Why it matters: This concise phrase fits the friendly request naturally.
- 7. Sentence rewrite Original: Looking forward to catching up soon! Suggested revision: I'm looking forward to catching up soon! Why it matters: Adding the subject and auxiliary creates a complete sentence.
- 8. Add study timeframe Suggested revision: Briefly mention the course duration or weekly study schedule so your friend can judge which part-time roles would fit. Why it matters: A little more timing detail would make the study plan more useful for the job-search request.
Suggested Rewrites
- great well
- pursue my Master’s degree in Computer Science pursue a master’s degree in computer science
- English communication skills communication skills in English
- job related to IT part-time IT role
- a tech support role, web development, or even tutoring in programming a tech support role, a web development position, or programming tutoring
- really helpful a great help
Why this response received Band 8.0
The letter addresses every requested point directly, with clear study details, well-developed reasons for working, and practical ways the friend could help. Its friendly register, logical paragraphing, and accurate language make the message easy to follow; the main limitation is only that a few job examples could be expressed more precisely. Prioritise refining those small wording choices while preserving the concise, natural tone.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter fully develops the study plans, reasons for seeking work, and specific ways the friend could assist, using an appropriate personal tone.
Add a brief indication of likely working hours or study commitments to make the job request even more practical.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is purposeful, progression is clear, and cohesive devices connect the request naturally without drawing attention to themselves.
Keep each paragraph focused as here, while tightening the transition from preferred IT roles to broader opportunities.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is flexible, precise, and natural across study, employment, finance, and personal communication contexts.
Refine the parallel wording of job examples so each item clearly names a role, such as “web developer.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of simple and complex structures is used accurately, with only minor lapses that do not impede communication.
Maintain strict parallel structure in lists and check small conventions such as degree-name capitalisation.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You are going to another country to study. You would like to do a part-time job while you are studying, so you want to ask a friend who lives there for some help. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
- give details of your study plans
- explain why you want to get a part-time job
- suggest how your friend could help you find a job
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.