Asking for Information
You live in an English speaking country and you want to do some voluntary, unpaid work in a developing country. Write a letter to a company called Cultural Expeditions, which organizes such trips. In your letter:
Explain why you want to do the voluntary work.
State what your skills and experience are.
Indicate where you would like to volunteer and for how long.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir / Madam
You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Thanking a friend for a holiday.
You have recently been to stay with an old friend for a few days. You hadn't seen each other for a long time. Write a letter to the friend. In your letter:
•say how you felt about the visit
•refer to something enjoyable that you did while staying with him / her
• invite your friend to visit you
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________
You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You eat at your college cafeteria at lunch time every day.. However, you think it needs some improvements. Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter:
explain what you like about the cafeteria
say what is wrong with it
suggest how it could be improved
Write at least 150 words.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
Your friend recently got promoted as the Vice President of his company.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• congratulate him on his promotion
• invite him home for dinner
• share some recent updates of your life with him
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ……………..,
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently did a short cookery course. The cookery school has asked for your feedback on this course.
Write a letter to the course director at the cookery school. In your letter,
• describe what you enjoyed about the course
• say how much cooking you've done since the course
• suggest another cookery course you'd like the school to offer
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
ou recently booked a part-time course at a college. You now need to cancel your booking. Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter:
say which part-time course you booked
explain why you need to cancel your booking
ask about booking a different course
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam..........,
Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport.
Write an email to your friend. In your email
•recommend a new sport that would be suitable for your friend to learn
•explain how your friend could learn this sport
• suggest that you both learn this sport together.
Write at leasr 150 words.
You do not need to write any addresses.
Begin you letter as follows:
Dear ...............,
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at school.
Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference. In your letter:
say what job you have applied for
explain why you want this job
suggest what information the teacher should include
Write at least 150 words.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________
3. Apologizing to a friend
You borrowed an important textbook from a classmate last term. You now realize your classmate had returned home overseas and you still have the book. Write a letter to to him / her. In your letter:
apologize for the mistake
find out how important the book is to him / her
say what you will do
Begin your letter as follows: Dear _____
You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task
You have heard that a developer plans to build a shopping centre near your home.
Write a letter to the council. In your letter
say how you heard about the plan
explain how you feel about it
ask for more information about it
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You have learned about an international job that is available within the company you currently work for and you want to apply.
Write a letter to the hiring manager. In your letter
Say why you are applying for this international position
Describe the job you are currently doing for the company
Tell him/her why you think you will be good at the job
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam
you recently had a problem when buying a ticket at a train station.
Write a letter to the manager of the train station. In you lette
- describe the problem you had when buying a ticket.
- say how this affected you.
- suggest what the manager can do about this prroblem.
you do not need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You have lost your student identification card. This has created some problems for you.
Write a letter to the director of student services. In your letter
advise them of your situation
explain how this is affecting you
request a new card
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I'm writing to you regarding my lost identification card
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received a letter from your bank, asking you to acknowledge receipt of a new bank card. However, the card was missing from the envelope.
Write a letter to the bank's head office. In your letter:
explain why you are writing
express concern about the missing card
ask them what they intend to do
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You should write at least 150 words.
ou have learned about an international job that is available within the company you currently work for and you want to apply.
Write a letter to the hiring manager. In your letter
Say why you are applying for this international position
Describe the job you are currently doing for the company
Tell him/her why you think you will be good at the job
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam
You are having a graduation party next Saturday night. You have invited 50 people to celebrate at an outdoor barbecue evening, which may continue into late into the night. Write a letter to your elderly neighbour. In your letter:
explain what will be happening
offer your apologies in advance
invite her to join the celebration
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Mr / Ms _________
You have recently purchased a toy from an online shop, but the delivered product is faulty.
Write a letter to the owner of the shop. In your letter
- Describe the toy
- Give details of the problem
- Tell the owner what you want him/her to do
You do not need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows :
Dear sir or madam,
Mrs Barrett, an English-speaking woman who lives in your town, has advertised for someone to help her in her home for a few hours a day next summer.
Write a letter to Mrs Barrett. In your letter
•Suggest how you could help her in her home
• Say why you would like to do this work
• Explain when you will and will not be available
Write at least 150 words.
You do not need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mrs Barrett,
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have a full-time job and you are also doing a part-time evening course.
You now find that you cannot continue the course.
Write a letter to your teachers. In your letter
describe the situation
explain why you cannot continue at this time
say what action you would like to take
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ................. ,
There are three main things to consider before writing your essay:
1. Tone (formal or informal)
Sometimes students are friendly with their tutors, but I think it would be better to write a formal letter. Start with your tutor’s surname (e.g. Dear Mr. Smith,) and end with “Yours sincerely,”. Avoid contractions (write “I am” instead of “I’m”), and avoid using informal idioms or expressions. Be polite rather than friendly.
2. Purpose
The main purpose of this letter is to inform your tutor that you are leaving the course. Make this clear straight away (e.g. I am writing to inform you that...). Then cover the three points, writing a short paragraph for each.
3. Ideas
I recommend spending a few minutes planning ideas for each of the task points before you start writing. You need to decide what the evening course is about, what your full-time job is, a reason why you are too busy with work to continue with the course, and whether you want to leave completely or perhaps continue at a later date.
You should write at least 150 words.
You are living in a city in a foreign country, and a friend from your home country is soon coming to
visit you for several days. Write an email to your friend,
asking him or her to bring some things from home which you need
saying why you need them
making arrangements to meet
Begin your letter ‘Dear --------’
Do not write any addresse
You are planning a short visit to a city where one of your relatives lives. Write a letter to your relative. In your letter: • Explain when and how long you will be in town. • Ask whether you can stay at their home. • Offer to pay for yourself. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...,
You wish to apply for a new college course, but you are unsure about the details of cost, duration and subjects posted on the college website. Write
an email to the relevant person in admissions at the college, asking them to clarify these points for you. In this email,
Say what your interest is
Explain why the website is unclear
Request the information that you need
Begin your letter ‘Dear --------’
Do not write any addresses
Write at least 150 words
Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday.
Write a letter to your friends. In your letter:
thank them for the photos and for the holiday
explain why you didn’t write earlier
invite them to come and stay with you
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any address.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear __________
You are going to study in a college in the UK next year. You would like to stay in a college Hall of Residence.
Write a letter to the college. In your letter
explain your accommodation requirements
explain what your food needs are
ask what alternatives are available if they cannot provide what you want
You should
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Five months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner.
Write a letter to the owner of your apartment. In your letter:
•Say how long you want to rent the apartment for,
•Explain why your plans have changed,
•Tell the owner about a problem in the apartment.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear …………….,
You get 20 minutes to complete this task.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently took a part-time job working for a local company. After a few weeks, you realised
there were some problems with the job.
Write a letter to the manager of the company. In your letter
•explain why you took the job
•describe the problems that you experienced
•suggest what could be done about them
You should write at least 150 words.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently stayed in a hotel in a large city. The weather was very unusual for the time of year and the heating / cooling system in the hotel was quite inadequate.
Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter:
give details of what went wrong
explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time
say what action you would like the manager to take
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ...,
You should write at least 150 words.
You have received a job offer for an exciting, new position. Although you are expected to start on September 7th, you are only available to start a week later due to personal reasons.
Write a letter to your new boss. In your letter:
· Express your enthusiasm for the job offer
· Explain the problem
· Suggest what you can do
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Ms. Mcllwain,
Write a letter to the museum director to apply for the voluntary/unpaid work. In your letter,
explain why you want to do voluntary/unpaid work at the museum
describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful
give details of when you would be available for work
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
ou and your family are living in rented accommodation in an English speaking country. You are not satisfied with the condition of some of the furniture.
Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter
introduce yourself
explain what is wrong with the furniture
say what action you would like the landlord to take
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear .................,
You should write at least 150 words.
Writing task 1Show more
Your local newspaper published an advertisement asking people to offer time for local environmental initiatives in your area.
Write a letter to the project manager to offer your help. In your letter:
-Describe a local volunteer project that you are passionate about
-Explain what you would like to do to help
-Suggest how to gather more support for the cause
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You are unhappy about a plan to make your local airport bigger and increase the number of flights. You live near the airport.
Write a letter to your local newspaper. In your letter
explain where you live
describe the problem
give reasons why you do not want this development
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
A friend of yours has always adored your car. You have now decided to sell it. Write a letter to your friend to ask if he is interested in buying your car.
In your letter:
explain why you are selling your car
describe the good points and any bad points about your car
suggest the friend visits you to see and drive your car.
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Tim,...
You play a team sport with some friends. Last week a member of the team had an accident and was not able to play with you at the weekend. You decide to write to him/her in the hospital, telling him/her about the match.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter,
• tell him/her which team won
• say how you felt about the match
• ask how he/she is doing
You should
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ……………….,
You have been invited to attend an interview for a place on a course of study at a college. Unfortunately, because of a previous appointment, you cannot go to the interview at the time they wish.
Write a letter to the admissions tutor. In your letter
•explain why you cannot keep the appointment
•apologise and offer to arrange a new appointment
•ask how long the interview will be, and whether there will be any tests during it
You should
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
The parents of your Australian friend Chris have invited you to a surprise birthday party for him/her.
Write a letter to Chris’s parents. In your letter,
say why you think Chris will enjoy the surprise party
explain why you won’t be able to attend the party
give details of a plan to see Chris at a different time
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr and Mrs ....................,
You have recently organized an event at a restaurant.
Write a letter to the manager. In your letter:
• Give details about the event and how it went;
• Tell how you were pleased with the restaurant’s service;
• Suggest some improvements the restaurant could make.
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ....,
You have recently visited a museum. Now write a letter to your friend about the museum you have visited.
Write a letter to him/ her. In your letter, write:
where you went
what you saw there
how you felt about it
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ...................,
There have been some problems with public transport in your area recently.
Write a letter to the manager of the transport company. In your letter:
· Describe the problems
· Explain how these problems are affecting the public
· Suggest some changes that could be made
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You have bought tickets for a tour with your friend for the period of your holiday, but you have just discovered that you have to change your plans.
Write a letter to him:
• Apologize;
• Explain the reasons;
• Suggest alternative arrangements.
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ....,
You have just read an article in a national newspaper which claims that town centers in your country all look very similar to each other. You don’t fully agree with this opinion.
Write a letter to the editor of newspaper. In your letter
•Say which points in the article you agree with
•Explain ways in which your town center is different from most other town centers
•Offer to give a guided tour of your town to the writer of the article
Write at least 150 words
You do not need to write any addresses
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You have received a job offer from a country where lives one of your childhood friend. Write a letter to him:
• Tell about this happy event in your life;
• Ask him for help finding accommodation;
• Ask him to advise the best ways to get prepared for the new life in that country
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ....,
You are going to spend your vacation in a city in a foreign country. You have never been there before. Your cousin has a friend who lives there.
Write a letter to your cousin's friend. In your letter,
introduce yourself
say why you are making this trip
ask some questions about the city (e.g. places to see, things to do, things to bring)
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ..................,
A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter:
give contact details for when you are away
give instructions about how to care for your pet
describe other household duties
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear .....................,
You recently visited a tourist attraction and you were very pleased with the help given to you by the staff.
Write a letter to the head of staff at the tourist attraction. In your letter:
give details of the circumstances of your visit
describe the help given to you by the staff
say what you want the head staff to do
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Write a letter to your local council. In the letter,
Describe the construction
Explain why the construction is a problem for you
Say what you would like them to do about it
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Your parents will be celebrating their 40th anniversary next month. You are planning a big celebration, but you are not sure how to make the occasion really memorable. Write to your best friend, Joan, who is a professional event planner. In your letter:
•explain why the occasion is special
•ask for her assistance
• set up a time to meet at your friend's convenience to discuss your plans
Begin your letter as follows: Dear Joan,
You should write at least 150 words. You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
For the past year, you have been a member of a local club. Now you want to discontinue
your membership.
Write a letter to the club secretary. In your letter
● state what type of membership you have and how you have paid for this
● give details of how you have benefited from the club
● explain why you want to leave
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
You recently took a trip with a taxi company. The driver behaved in an unacceptable way and you had a lot of problems. You complained to the company but no-one has replied to your complaint.
Write a letter to the taxi company. In your letter
say why you are writing and how you feel
explain what happenedDear sirtell them what you would like them to do.
You and your family are living in rented accommodation in an English speaking country. You are not satisfied with the condition of some of the furniture.
Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter
introduce yourself
explain what is wrong with the furniture
say what action you would like the landlord to take
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear .................,