You would like to participate in a work-related seminar in another country. Write a letter to the person in charge of the seminar. In your letter: - ask for information about the seminar dates - ask for details of the programme - ask about accommodation - ask about the cost
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, My name is John Muller and I have recently noticed an advertisement in a local newspaper regarding a seminar on Labour Laws that you are going to organise in Dubai. I, being an HR professional from Vietnam, would like to participate in this seminar to enhance my knowledge. I am writing this letter to seek further information regarding this. As this seminar will be held in Dubai, I would like to ask for the exact schedule as I have to apply for a leave accordingly from my work. Furthermore, I would like to know about the content of the program and what aspects of labour laws will be covered in the seminar. Moreover, inform me of the registration fee and whether I can register online. As I will be travelling from Vietnam and do not know anyone in Dubai, I would like to ask whether you will arrange the accommodation for the participants or not. How much the accommodation, transportation and meals might cost? I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Yours faithfully, John Muller
[Author - Prabhjot Singh ]
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural collocation Original: noticed Suggested revision: saw Why it matters: 'Saw an advertisement' is the natural expression for encountering a newspaper notice.
- 2. Simplify opening phrase Original: I, being an HR professional from Vietnam, Suggested revision: As an HR professional from Vietnam, I Why it matters: The revision avoids the awkward inserted participial phrase and creates a clear sentence structure.
- 3. Use specific reference Original: regarding this Suggested revision: about the seminar Why it matters: Naming the seminar gives the purpose statement a clear reference.
- 4. Ask for dates directly Original: the exact schedule Suggested revision: the exact seminar dates Why it matters: The task specifically requires a request for the seminar dates.
- 5. Use correct leave phrase Original: apply for a leave accordingly from my work Suggested revision: arrange leave from work accordingly Why it matters: 'Arrange leave from work' is the natural expression in this context.
- 6. Keep British spelling Original: program Suggested revision: programme Why it matters: 'Programme' is consistent with the British English spelling used elsewhere in the letter and task.
- 7. Make request polite Original: Moreover, inform me Suggested revision: Could you also inform me Why it matters: A polite question is more appropriate than an imperative in a formal information request.
- 8. Remove unnecessary wording Original: whether you will arrange the accommodation for the participants or not Suggested revision: whether accommodation will be arranged for participants Why it matters: The revision removes the unnecessary article and 'or not' while retaining the question.
- 9. Sentence rewrite Original: How much the accommodation, transportation and meals might cost? Suggested revision: How much might accommodation, transportation and meals cost? Why it matters: A direct question requires the auxiliary verb before the subject.
- 10. Group requests clearly Suggested revision: Use separate paragraphs for dates and programme details, fees, and accommodation arrangements. Why it matters: Grouping the requests by topic would make the letter easier for the organizer to answer.
Suggested Rewrites
- noticed saw
- I, being an HR professional from Vietnam, As an HR professional from Vietnam, I
- regarding this about the seminar
- the exact schedule the exact seminar dates
- apply for a leave accordingly from my work arrange leave from work accordingly
- program programme
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter clearly establishes the writer's professional interest and requests all required information about dates, content, accommodation, and costs. Its strongest feature is comprehensive task coverage in an appropriately formal register; the main limitation is one-paragraph presentation and a few abrupt or awkward questions. Prioritise grouped, courteous requests in separate paragraphs and remove the unrelated author attribution.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose is clear, all four bullet points are fully addressed, and the formal tone is generally appropriate for the seminar organiser.
Phrase every request courteously and omit the postscript identifying a different author, which is unrelated to the letter's purpose.
Coherence and Cohesion
The requests follow a logical sequence from schedule and programme to fees and accommodation, but the single paragraph and repetitive linkers reduce clarity.
Use an opening paragraph, one paragraph for seminar details, one for travel and accommodation costs, and a brief closing.
Lexical Resource
A good range of relevant professional and seminar vocabulary is used, with occasional awkward collocations.
Use natural phrases such as 'saw an advertisement', 'request leave from work', 'programme fee', and 'accommodation arrangements'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Varied sentence forms are handled with good overall control, despite minor article, word-order, and question-formation issues.
Revise the final question to 'Could you also tell me how much accommodation, transport, and meals are likely to cost?'
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 would like to participate in a work-related seminar in another country. Write a letter to the person in charge of the seminar. In your letter:
- ask for information about the seminar dates
- ask for details of the programme
- ask about accommodation
- ask about the cost
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.