You are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event. Write a letter to your supervisor. In your letter: - request some time off - explain why you need to leave early - reassure him/her that your studies will not suffer
Sample Response
Dear Ms Corey, I am pursuing my graduation in computer science at your college and I am in my fifth semester. I am writing to request some time off classes, so as to ensure my presence in a family event in my home country next month. But I can assure you that I will get back to my classes on time and cover my studies. You would be glad to know that my sister is getting married on 5th September and as the only elder sibling, a major share of responsibilities rests on my shoulders to precede and conduct the programme in a well-appreciated manner. My presence in the rituals is highly expected. Therefore, I would request you to allow me the leave for a week starting from 1st September. I can assure you that I will resume my classes on 7th September. It is almost certain that after beholding the functions and post-marriage formalities, I will fly my way back within a week's time. Finally, I pledge to you that, this short period of time, by no means, will hinder my preparation for the semester final. I am quite keen about this and hereby reassure you that my studies will not suffer. Yours sincerely, Vineeth Vera
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural study phrase Original: pursuing my graduation Suggested revision: studying for my degree Why it matters: This is the natural expression for completing a degree programme.
- 2. Add required preposition Original: time off classes Suggested revision: time off from classes Why it matters: The phrase ‘time off’ requires ‘from’ before the activity being missed.
- 3. Use direct verb Original: ensure my presence in Suggested revision: attend Why it matters: ‘Attend’ expresses participation in an event directly and naturally.
- 4. Clarify study recovery Original: cover my studies Suggested revision: catch up on any missed work Why it matters: This phrase clearly explains how the writer will handle work missed during the absence.
- 5. Correct responsibility wording Original: precede and conduct Suggested revision: organise and oversee Why it matters: ‘Precede’ does not mean taking responsibility for arranging an event.
- 6. Use concise wording Original: in a well-appreciated manner Suggested revision: smoothly Why it matters: The original phrase is unnatural and does not clearly describe how the programme will be conducted.
- 7. Correct leave phrase Original: allow me the leave Suggested revision: grant me leave Why it matters: ‘Grant me leave’ is the standard formal construction for this request.
- 8. Use natural event phrase Original: beholding the functions Suggested revision: attending the celebrations Why it matters: ‘Beholding’ and ‘functions’ sound unnatural for participating in wedding events.
- 9. Use shared institution wording Original: your Suggested revision: this Why it matters: ‘This college’ is more natural when addressing a supervisor at the same institution.
- 10. Use formal transition Original: But I Suggested revision: However, I Why it matters: ‘However’ creates a smoother and more formal contrast in a letter to a supervisor.
- 11. State the reason directly Original: You would be glad to know that Suggested revision: I need to leave early because Why it matters: The direct wording introduces the reason for the request without assuming the supervisor’s reaction.
- 12. Clarify the relationship Original: as the only elder sibling Suggested revision: as her only older sibling Why it matters: The possessive reference is needed, and ‘older’ is the natural comparative for siblings.
Suggested Rewrites
- pursuing my graduation studying for my degree
- time off classes time off from classes
- ensure my presence in attend
- cover my studies catch up on any missed work
- precede and conduct organise and oversee
- in a well-appreciated manner smoothly
Why this response received Band 6.5
The letter communicates its purpose clearly, gives a specific reason and leave period, and maintains a suitably respectful tone. Its main limitation is that the reassurance about studies is repetitive and lacks a concrete plan, while several over-elaborate phrases sound unnatural. The highest-priority improvement is to organise the request, explanation, and study arrangements into clear paragraphs and state exactly how missed work will be completed.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose and all three bullet points are addressed clearly in an appropriately formal tone, although the study reassurance is only generally developed.
Specify how you will obtain missed materials or complete coursework so the final bullet point is fully convincing.
Coherence and Cohesion
The information follows a broadly logical sequence, but the single-block presentation and repeated assurances weaken cohesion and progression.
Use separate paragraphs for the request, wedding details, and study arrangements, removing repeated statements of reassurance.
Lexical Resource
A fairly wide vocabulary conveys the message, though several collocations such as pursuing my graduation and beholding the functions are unnatural.
Prefer precise, natural phrases such as completing my degree, attending the ceremonies, and return by plane.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The letter uses varied complex structures with generally good control, despite occasional awkward clause construction and punctuation.
Simplify long sentences and review comma placement so complex ideas remain grammatically controlled and easy to follow.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event. Write a letter to your supervisor. In your letter:
- request some time off
- explain why you need to leave early
- reassure him/her that your studies will not suffer
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.