You recently started commuting to work by bicycle and discovered that there is a problem with bicycle parking near the building where you work. Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter: - explain the reason for using a bicycle to commute - mention what problems you have encountered with parking - what you recommend to solve the problems
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writingwriting this letter to draw your attention to a problem withproblem which is related to the bicycle parking at the buildingbicycle parking in your building where I park my bicycle. I hope you can resolve itI am hoping that you would solve it as soon as possible.
I have recently started using a bicycle to commute to work because it saves time by helping me avoid the morning rush-hour trafficmorning traffic rush. In addition,Besides, I like to rely on this two-wheeled vehicle“two-wheel” vehicle, instead of using public transport or a private carpublic transportation or private cars, because it helps me remain in good physical shape.
HoweverBut, it looks like I will have to stop cycling to workgive up on riding this bicycle because I am seldom getting any empty parking space for my bicycle in the office car parkparking lot of our office building. This is becauseAfter all, on the one handon one hand, the parking lot is not that large, and on the otheron the other hand, too many car owners, working in this area, drive to workcome with their private cars and occupy all the parking spaces. They are even occupying the little space which is designated for motorcycle and bicycle parking.
Now, I can not really ask you to expand the parking lot, but I can ask you to request the car owners to at least leave the empty parking spaces which are designated for bicycle parking. Your intervention can solve this problem immediately.
Yours faithfully,
Jay Leno
Why this response received Band 7.5
The letter’s strongest feature is its thorough and practical coverage of the commute, the shortage caused by cars occupying bicycle spaces, and a feasible request to protect those spaces. Its main limitation is occasional awkwardness and repetition in otherwise clear formal language, especially around parking and vehicle references. Prioritise stating the requested enforcement action more directly and editing tense, article, and collocation choices for a more professional finish.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose is clear, every bullet point is fully developed, and the proposed intervention directly addresses misuse of the designated bicycle area.
Specify how management should enforce the restriction, for example through signs, notices, or monitoring.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter is clearly paragraphed by purpose and progresses logically from reasons to the parking problem and recommendation, despite some mechanical linking.
Replace the ‘on one hand/on the other hand’ sequence with a direct explanation of the limited capacity and misuse of marked spaces.
Lexical Resource
A sufficiently broad formal range conveys the problem and solution clearly, though repetition and phrases such as ‘two-wheel vehicle’ and ‘come with their private cars’ sound unnatural.
Use concise terms such as ‘bicycle’, ‘drive to work’, and ‘designated cycle spaces’ consistently.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Varied complex structures are generally accurate, with occasional problems in tense choice, aspect, articles, and punctuation.
Prefer simple present for recurring conditions, such as ‘I seldom find a space’ and ‘cars occupy the bicycle area’.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You recently started commuting to work by bicycle and discovered that there is a problem with bicycle parking near the building where you work. Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter:
- explain the reason for using a bicycle to commute
- mention what problems you have encountered with parking
- what you recommend to solve the problems
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.