You are unhappy about a plan to make your local airport bigger and increase the number of flights. You live near the airport. Write a letter to your local newspaper. In your letter: - explain where you live - describe the problem - give reasons why you do not want this development
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed expansion of Toronto Airport, which is set to increase the number of flights in our area. As a resident of Ontario, living just a few kilometres from the airport, I believe this development will bring significant negative consequences for our community. I am hoping that you will publish a news report about it and promote a voice to stop the expansion of the airport.
The primary issue with this expansion is the inevitable rise in noise pollution. Currently, the sound of aircraft is already disruptive, especially during early mornings and late nights. Increasing the number of flights will only exacerbate this, affecting the sleep and well-being of thousands of residents. Furthermore, the additional air traffic will lead to higher levels of air pollution, posing health risks to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
From an environmental perspective, expanding the airport contradicts efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Instead of investing in larger airports, resources should be directed towards sustainable transport solutions. I urge local authorities to reconsider this plan and seek alternatives that prioritise community welfare over commercial interests. I hope you will include this in your report.
Yours faithfully,
James Weston
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct awkward collocation Original: promote a voice Suggested revision: use your platform Why it matters: “Promote a voice” is not idiomatic for asking a newspaper to support public opposition.
- 2. Use measured concern Original: deep concern Suggested revision: serious concern Why it matters: This wording is slightly more measured for a formal letter to a newspaper.
- 3. Clarify proposal effect Original: which is set to increase the number of flights Suggested revision: which would allow more flights Why it matters: The revision states the proposed expansion's effect more directly.
- 4. Tighten resident phrase Original: a resident of Ontario, living Suggested revision: an Ontario resident who lives Why it matters: The finite relative clause makes the description of the writer's location clearer.
- 5. Reduce wordiness Original: significant negative consequences Suggested revision: serious consequences Why it matters: The shorter phrase conveys the same concern more directly.
- 6. Use direct present form Original: I am hoping Suggested revision: I hope Why it matters: The simple present is more direct and natural for this request.
- 7. Use concise reporting phrase Original: publish a news report about it Suggested revision: report on the proposal Why it matters: This is a more concise and idiomatic way to request newspaper coverage.
- 8. Avoid overstating certainty Original: the inevitable rise Suggested revision: a further rise Why it matters: This phrasing links the predicted increase to the noise already described without presenting it as absolute.
- 9. Specify the local area Suggested revision: Name the neighbourhood or community near the airport if possible, rather than relying only on the broad location of Ontario. Why it matters: A more precise location would answer the first bullet point more fully for local newspaper readers.
- 10. Separate problem impacts Suggested revision: Present the existing noise problem first, then move from the effect of extra flights to the separate air-pollution concern. Why it matters: This progression would make the two main impacts easier to distinguish.
Suggested Rewrites
- promote a voice use your platform
- deep concern serious concern
- which is set to increase the number of flights which would allow more flights
- a resident of Ontario, living an Ontario resident who lives
- significant negative consequences serious consequences
- I am hoping I hope
Why this response received Band 8.0
The letter is a focused and persuasive response that clearly locates the writer near the airport, explains the existing disruption, and develops compelling health and environmental objections. Its progression, formal tone, and language control are consistently strong, with only an occasional slightly unnatural phrase. The best refinement would be to identify the local neighbourhood more precisely and replace the few awkward collocations.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter fully addresses the purpose and all bullet points with relevant, well-developed reasons in an appropriate formal register.
Name the specific neighbourhood rather than only Ontario to make the writer's location even more precise.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is logically sequenced across purposeful paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly without becoming mechanical.
Reduce the slight repetition of the publication request at the beginning and end for an even tighter conclusion.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys the community, health, and environmental concerns effectively, with only rare awkward phrasing.
Replace 'promote a voice' with a more idiomatic expression such as 'give residents a platform' or 'raise public awareness'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately and naturally, with punctuation and agreement consistently well controlled.
Maintain this accuracy while tightening a few long sentences so emphasis remains as direct as possible.