You need to take leave from your work of over one month for personal reasons. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter: - explain the reason for the leave and the length of leave you need - explain how you will keep up-to-date while you're away - suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
Sample Response
Dear Mr. Hommes,
I am writing this letter to ask for temporary leavea temporary leave for over a month, preferably from the end of November until the beginning of January. My wife recentlyjust recently gave birth to our daughter and I want to spend this time supporting her and looking after our newborn daughterlooking after my newborn.
During my leavebreak, I willwould keep in touch with my colleagues to make sure that I do not miss any important workplace updatesmiss out on any information at the workplace. I will also attend our weekly seminars to keep myself updated on important announcements.
I have asked Steven and Joy and they would be more than happy to work on my project when I am away. They are both excellent employees and I have complete confidence in their taking over this projectletting them take over this project.
Thank you and I am looking forward to your reply. Best regards, [Your name]Best regards,
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter is clear, appropriately formal, and addresses all three practical requirements with sensible arrangements for staying informed and covering the project. Its main limitation is that several points are only briefly developed, while the response also falls slightly below the expected length and ends with an incomplete closing format. Add a little more specific detail and place the complimentary close and your name correctly.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose is clear, all three bullet points are covered, and the tone is suitable, though the brief response limits development.
Add a specific detail about the handover or how you will participate in seminars while on leave, and meet the minimum length.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically through the request, communication plan, and work-cover arrangement in focused paragraphs.
Integrate the final thanks and request for a reply into a complete closing paragraph before the sign-off.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and appropriate for a workplace request, with generally natural phrases such as 'keep in touch' and 'take over this project.'
Use slightly more precise wording, such as 'newborn daughter' rather than 'my newborn,' and avoid the redundant 'just recently.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of simple and complex sentences is used accurately, and errors do not impede communication.
Refine the final sentence to 'Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your reply' for cleaner coordination and formality.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You need to take leave from your work of over one month for personal reasons. Write a letter to your boss. In your letter:
- explain the reason for the leave and the length of leave you need
- explain how you will keep up-to-date while you're away
- suggest how your work could be covered while you are away
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.