You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at school. Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference. In your letter: - say what job you have applied for - explain why you want this job - suggest what information the teacher should include
Sample Response
Dear Mr Peterson, Hope this letter finds you in good health and spirit. I am one of your students at the high school where you were teaching chemistry about 12 years ago. I know that it has been a while since I was in touch with you, but now I could really use your help in getting a job which I have always wanted. So, I am writing this letter to ask for a letter of reference from you.
I need that letter of reference because I am applying for the position of Manager at a very famous and international group of hotels. By the way, I want this job so badly because it would allow me to travel all over the world and build a solid career in the hotel industry, which I have always wanted to do since my childhood. So, kindly write a letter of reference for me that would include information like how long you have known me, what kind of student I really was, and whether or not I was involved in any anti-social activities. Please also don’t forget to mention that I was a team leader of the debate team of my high school for a long time. Thank you in advance. Yours sincerely, Jerry Henderson
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Add sentence subject Original: Hope this letter Suggested revision: I hope this letter Why it matters: A complete declarative sentence requires the subject I.
- 2. Use fixed plural phrase Original: spirit Suggested revision: spirits Why it matters: In good health and spirits is the conventional expression.
- 3. Clarify last contact Original: since I was in touch with you Suggested revision: since I was last in touch with you Why it matters: Last is needed to identify the previous point of contact.
- 4. Use respectful request Original: could really use your help Suggested revision: would greatly appreciate your help Why it matters: The replacement is more courteous and appropriate when asking a former teacher for a favour.
- 5. Use concise job phrase Original: getting a job which I have always wanted Suggested revision: securing a job I have long wanted Why it matters: The revision is more concise and uses the natural collocation secure a job.
- 6. Remove conversational linker Original: So, I am writing this letter Suggested revision: I am writing Why it matters: The purpose can be stated directly without the informal sentence-opening linker.
- 7. Make request courteous Original: I need that letter of reference Suggested revision: I am requesting the reference Why it matters: The replacement sounds less demanding while clearly stating the purpose.
- 8. Lowercase generic title Original: Manager Suggested revision: manager Why it matters: A generic job title is not capitalized when it follows the position of.
- 9. Use natural company phrase Original: a very famous and international group of hotels Suggested revision: a well-known international hotel group Why it matters: The revised phrase is concise and idiomatic for a hotel company operating internationally.
- 10. Remove informal aside Original: By the way, Suggested revision: Delete Why it matters: The phrase is too conversational and does not mark a meaningful shift in this formal request.
- 11. Use professional motivation Original: want this job so badly Suggested revision: am particularly interested in this role Why it matters: The replacement communicates enthusiasm in an appropriately professional register.
- 12. Use concise travel term Original: travel all over the world Suggested revision: travel internationally Why it matters: The revision expresses the same benefit more concisely and formally.
Suggested Rewrites
- Hope this letter I hope this letter
- spirit spirits
- since I was in touch with you since I was last in touch with you
- could really use your help would greatly appreciate your help
- getting a job which I have always wanted securing a job I have long wanted
- So, I am writing this letter I am writing
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter addresses all three requirements clearly by naming the management role, explaining its career appeal, and suggesting several points for the reference. Its main limitation is an uneven register: phrases such as 'want this job so badly' and the request to mention anti-social activities sound awkward or counterproductive in a professional reference request. The priority is to ask politely for relevant evidence of character, leadership, and reliability.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All bullet points are covered and developed, but some suggested reference content is poorly chosen and the tone becomes overly casual or directive.
Ask the teacher to highlight academic commitment, debate-team leadership, teamwork, and dependability rather than mentioning possible anti-social activity.
Coherence and Cohesion
The purpose and supporting points progress logically, though two dense paragraphs and repeated 'So' links make the organisation less polished.
Use separate paragraphs for reconnecting and requesting help, describing the job and motivation, and suggesting relevant reference details.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is adequate for a reference request and career aims, but several informal or imprecise expressions weaken the professional register.
Replace phrases such as 'want this job so badly', 'very famous', and 'what kind of student I really was' with concise formal wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of complex sentences is generally controlled and clear, with only occasional awkward tense choices and informal sentence openings.
Refine forms such as 'I was your chemistry student twelve years ago' and avoid beginning formal requests repeatedly with 'So'.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at school. Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference. In your letter:
- say what job you have applied for
- explain why you want this job
- suggest what information the teacher should include
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.