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 ask for informationrequest some information about the courses offered fromat different colleges in Brisbane. I am planning to takeintake a course and would really appreciate your help. After completing my postgraduate degreepostgraduation in chemistry, I have been working as a chemist atin 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 standardsNABL prescribed standards. As my employer is veryhighly pleased with my performance, he has asked me whetherif I am ready to take on a new responsibility, in molecular modellingwhich is related to molecular modelling. I do not have much expertise in that field, soso, I would like to join a molecular designdesigning course in Australia, specifically in Brisbanemore specifically in Brisbane in a couple of months. I would be thankful to you if you could find and send mesearch and inform me of the details of anthe appropriate institution with relevant contact numbers. Please take the time to visittake the burden to personally visit some reputablereputed 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
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.