Write a letter to the Information Officer at the TAPE Information Office about the Tertiary Preparation Certificate. In your letter: - ask for information about the certificate - describe your educational background - explain why you want to do the course
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam, I would like some information about the Tertiary Preparation Certificate programme that I am planning to intake this summer. Your institution was recommended to me by a colleague and I am hoping you would send me the necessary information so that I can get admitted to this course. I completed my high school diploma six years ago. Since then I have worked as an Office Assistant in two companies and currently working as a librarian in the Johnson Library. However, in order to advance my career and to be in a better job sector, I will need to do some further study, perhaps in Marketing or Management. Because I have a long study gap, I believe that I should complete the Tertiary Preparation Certificate course before enrolling in the Bachelor course in a university. Please send me the necessary information along with the admission form to my mail address mentioned at the top at your convenience. I intend to start the course next summer. Thank you in advance. Yours faithfully, Emma Watson
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use the correct verb Original: intake Suggested revision: take Why it matters: “Intake” is a noun, while “take” is the appropriate verb for enrolling in a programme.
- 2. Use an active structure Original: Your institution was recommended to me by a colleague Suggested revision: A colleague recommended your institution to me Why it matters: The active structure is clearer and more direct in this request.
- 3. Correct the verb forms Original: I am hoping you would send Suggested revision: I hope you will send Why it matters: The simple present and future modal are the natural forms for a current request.
- 4. State the process precisely Original: get admitted to this course Suggested revision: apply for admission to the course Why it matters: The writer can apply for admission, while the institution decides whether to admit them.
- 5. Add an introductory comma Original: Since then I have worked Suggested revision: Since then, I have worked Why it matters: The introductory time phrase should be followed by a comma.
- 6. Use lower case Original: Office Assistant Suggested revision: office assistant Why it matters: The generic job title does not require capital letters.
- 7. Add the auxiliary verb Original: and currently working Suggested revision: and am currently working Why it matters: The coordinated present-progressive clause requires the auxiliary “am”.
- 8. Use concise wording Original: in order to advance Suggested revision: to advance Why it matters: “In order” is unnecessary because the infinitive already expresses purpose.
- 9. Use natural career wording Original: and to be in a better job sector Suggested revision: and move into a better role Why it matters: “Be in a better job sector” is not a natural expression for career progression.
- 10. Use a formal collocation Original: do some further study Suggested revision: undertake further study Why it matters: “Undertake further study” is the more precise formal collocation.
- 11. Correct the capitalisation Original: Marketing or Management Suggested revision: marketing or management Why it matters: These fields are common nouns in this context and do not require capitals.
- 12. Use natural wording Original: a long study gap Suggested revision: a long gap in my studies Why it matters: “A gap in my studies” is the standard expression for time away from education.
Suggested Rewrites
- intake take
- Your institution was recommended to me by a colleague A colleague recommended your institution to me
- I am hoping you would send I hope you will send
- get admitted to this course apply for admission to the course
- Since then I have worked Since then, I have worked
- Office Assistant office assistant
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter clearly states the certificate enquiry, provides a relevant education and employment history, and explains that the course would bridge a six-year study gap before university study in marketing or management. Its strongest feature is the logical connection between background and future plans. The main limitation is that the requested information remains vague, while several awkward collocations reduce formality; prioritise specific questions about entry requirements, dates, fees, and application procedures.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All required points are covered and the motivation is well explained, though the request for certificate information lacks specific questions.
Ask directly about entry requirements, course duration, tuition fees, the summer start date, and the application deadline.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically from the enquiry to educational and work background, future study goals, and the request for materials.
Use short paragraphs for the enquiry, personal background, and course motivation so the information officer can locate each point quickly.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is adequate for formal educational correspondence, but several collocations are inaccurate or unnatural.
Replace 'planning to intake', 'better job sector', 'Bachelor course', and 'mail address' with 'planning to take', 'better career opportunities', 'bachelor's degree', and 'postal address'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A range of structures communicates the purpose clearly, but agreement, auxiliary verbs, articles, and tense choices contain noticeable errors.
Use forms such as 'I currently work as a librarian', 'before enrolling in a bachelor's programme at university', and 'I hope you can send me'.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
Write a letter to the Information Officer at the TAPE Information Office about the Tertiary Preparation Certificate. In your letter:
- ask for information about the certificate
- describe your educational background
- explain why you want to do the course
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.