Unit 4 Task 1 Band 6 sample answer 1

The answer below has been rated based on the public IELTS descriptors. Click the word or words in red to see the correction, and scroll to the bottom of the page to read our comments on the letter.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You have enrolled in an evening course but you have found that you are too busy to continue and would like to take the course next term instead.

Write a letter to your teacher. In your letter:

• explain the situation and why you cannot continue the course
• say what you would like to do about your studies
• ask for advice about what you can do about the situation

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear………………………

Dear Mr. Smith

I am writing regarding the management course that I have been attending at your management [delete this – this word has been used at the beginning of the sentence] institute at the evening hours [‘during the evenings’]. I need to say that, unfortunately, due to my involvement in an urgent task at my work, I will not be able to continue my management [also delete this to avoid repetition] classes during the coming period.

As you are aware, I am working as a project manager in a construction compay. A new contract has been awarded to our company, and I have been given the mission to complete [‘the task of completing’ would be more common] this project in [‘within’] a tight time frame. In [‘Given’] this situation, I will have to stay extra [‘work additional’ would be better)] hours at my office to ensure that the work progresses satisfactorily.

However, I am still interested in completing the management couse, but [the sentence would be better constructed as ‘I am still interested in completing the management course; however, …] I would prefer to reschedule it to the next term when I will have completed my new project and can spare enough time for studying. I will [‘would’] appreciate it if you could direct me to the appropriate action that I have to take in order to arrange for postponing my course.

I thank you in advance for your assistance.

Kindest regards [this needs to be followed by a comma]

Matt Davison

(188 words)

Comments:

Despite some good language, the writer has overused certain vocabulary (‘management’ 3 times in the introduction alone) and this has reduced the result.

Some sentences are overly complicated and the meaning is a little unclear at times (‘I would appreciate it if you could direct me to the appropriate action that I have to take in order to arrange for postponing my course’).

There are grammar errors in some of the more advanced sentences (‘I will appreciate it if you would’).