You have a friend who lives in a city abroad. You would like to apply to do a course at one of the colleges in this city. Write to your friend. In your letter: - explain what you would like to do - describe the work or studies you have been doing for the past few years - ask for help contacting an appropriate institution
Sample Response
Dear Mary, It's been a long since I have heard from you. Hope you are doing great. I am writing this letter to request some information about the courses offered at different colleges in Brisbane. I am planning to intake a course and would really appreciate your help. After completing my postgraduation in chemistry, I have been working as a chemist in one of the best laboratories in India - Dania Lab. My regular duties involve analysing the quality of food products as well as checking whether they meet the NABL prescribed standards. As my employer is highly pleased with my performance, he has asked me if I am ready to take on a new responsibility, which is related to molecular modelling. I do not have much expertise in that field, so, I would like to join a molecular designing course in Australia, more specifically in Brisbane in a couple of months. I would be thankful to you if you search and inform me of the details of the appropriate institution with relevant contact numbers. Please take the burden to personally visit some reputed colleges and talk to them regarding the course. I barely know anyone there and would really appreciate your help. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Warm wishes, Rahul
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use correct collocation Original: intake Suggested revision: take Why it matters: The verb 'take' is the natural collocation for enrolling in a course.
- 2. Use standard term Original: postgraduation Suggested revision: postgraduate degree Why it matters: 'Postgraduate degree' is the standard expression for this qualification.
- 3. Correct workplace preposition Original: in Suggested revision: at Why it matters: Use 'at' when identifying the organization or workplace where someone is employed.
- 4. Hyphenate compound modifier Original: NABL prescribed standards Suggested revision: NABL-prescribed standards Why it matters: The compound modifier before 'standards' needs a hyphen.
- 5. Use reported-question form Original: if Suggested revision: whether Why it matters: 'Whether' is more precise when reporting a yes-or-no question.
- 6. Use correct course name Original: designing Suggested revision: design Why it matters: 'Molecular design' is the appropriate noun phrase modifying 'course'.
- 7. Improve request wording Original: search and inform me of Suggested revision: could find and send me Why it matters: This wording makes the request natural and grammatically complete after 'if you'.
- 8. Use considerate wording Original: take the burden to personally visit Suggested revision: take the time to visit Why it matters: The revision keeps the request polite and appropriate for a letter to a friend.
- 9. Use direct wording Original: request some information Suggested revision: ask for information Why it matters: This is a more natural way to state the purpose in an informal letter.
- 10. Correct source preposition Original: at Suggested revision: from Why it matters: Information is obtained 'from' colleges rather than offered 'at' them in this sentence.
- 11. Use natural intensifier Original: highly Suggested revision: very Why it matters: 'Very pleased' is the more natural collocation in this context.
- 12. Make wording concise Original: which is related to molecular modelling Suggested revision: in molecular modelling Why it matters: The shorter phrase expresses the field of responsibility more directly.
Suggested Rewrites
- intake take
- postgraduation postgraduate degree
- in at
- NABL prescribed standards NABL-prescribed standards
- if whether
- designing design
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter clearly explains the intended molecular-modelling course, provides detailed professional background, and asks for practical help finding a suitable college. Its main limitation is tone and phrasing: the request to visit institutions feels demanding for a friend, and several course-related expressions are unnatural. Prioritise a warmer, optional request and concise paragraphing that separates background, study plans, and requested assistance.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are fully developed with specific, relevant information, although one request is more demanding than the friendly context warrants.
Frame the college visit as an optional favour and specify the most important information needed, such as entry requirements, fees, and contact details.
Coherence and Cohesion
The ideas progress logically from the request to professional background and desired assistance, but the entire letter is presented as one dense paragraph.
Use separate paragraphs for the opening request, recent work experience, intended course, and the help being requested.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a strong range of work and study vocabulary, with occasional unnatural collocations affecting polish.
Replace 'intake a course', 'molecular designing course', and 'take the burden' with 'enrol in a course', 'molecular modelling course', and 'if convenient'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Varied complex structures are generally accurate and clear, with only minor issues in fragments, punctuation, and conditional phrasing.
Use complete opening sentences and revise the request to 'I would be grateful if you could find out and send me the details'.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You have a friend who lives in a city abroad. You would like to apply to do a course at one of the colleges in this city. Write to your friend. In your letter:
- explain what you would like to do
- describe the work or studies you have been doing for the past few years
- ask for help contacting an appropriate institution
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.