P26
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to inform you that I wish to move into a new room next
term. I would prefer a single room, as I find the present sharing
arrangement inconvenient.
I must explain that the reason for my dissatisfaction is my
room-mate's inconsiderate behavior. For one thing, his friends are
constantly visiting him; for another, he regularly holds noisy
parties. In addition, he sometimes borrows my things without asking
me. In these circumstances, I find it difficult to concentrate on my
studies, and I am falling behind in my assignments.
I am sure you will agree that the only solution is for me to move
into a room of
my own, where I will be free from such distractions. Therefore, I
would be grateful if you could find a single room for me, preferably
not in the same building but as near to the college campus as
possible.
Yours sincerely,
P26
Original Sample-Catherine(Band 5)
5th March 1996
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my room-mate. As you
know we share one room. I can not study in the room anymore/at all
if I still stay there.
She always has friend visiting and has parties in the room. They
make lots of noise and switch on the radio very loudly, for me this
environment is very difficult to study and I need a quiet room. Even
borrows my things without asking, it is very impolite.
I request you can give me a new room next term because I have been
asked her has parties in other place many times they still have
parties in the room. I really can not stay in the same room with
her.
I would be grateful if you could change me a single room.
Yours faithfully,
Catherine
P27
Original Sample-Jay Schweizer(Band 7)
Accommodation Officer
13, Kings Road
Edinburgh
Dear Sir, Dear Madam,
I am writing you to express my dissatisfaction with my room mate and
request for another accommodation next term.
My main problem is that I cannot study in my room because my
room-mate always has friends visiting. She also has parties, which
usually ends early in the morning , several times a week. Further
more he often borrows my things without asking m e. I cannot accept
this situation any longer. Especially because I have very important
exams next term and I really must study hard. This is why I would be
very grateful if I could have another room next term. It would be
most convenient for me not having to share my room with somebody
else.
I am looking forward to hear from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Jay Schweizer
Corrected Version-Catherine
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to request a single room for next term. I am currently
sharing a double room with Mary Wong and I find it extremely
difficult to keep up with my studies while I am sharing a room with
Mary.
Mary always has friends visiting, and hosts many parties in her
room. They make so much noise and play the radio very loudly. This
kind of environment makes it very difficult for me to study. I have
asked Mary to have her parties in another location, but this has had
no effect. Mary even borrows my things without asking, which I
consider extremely impolite. I really cannot stay in the same room
as Mary next term.
As a result, I am requesting a new room for next term. I would
prefer to have a single room, if possible.
Thank you for your kind consideration of my request. I am looking
forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Catherine Jones
P28
Corrected Version-Jay Schweizer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my roommate and
request alternate accommodations starting next term.
The main problem is that I find it extremely difficult to study in
my room because my roommate constantly has friends visiting and
throws loud parties which oft en last until early morning. This does
not just happen once or twice a month. He has these parties several
times a week, ever since the beginning of term. In addition, my
roommate often borrows my things without asking me. Even after
numerous polite requests, there has been no change in my roommate's
behaviour. It has now gotten to the point that we don't even talk to
each other. This has added a lot of undue stress, which has started
to take its toll on my studies.
Because I have very important exams next term, I must request a new
room, and I would like to have a single room, if that is at all
possible. I would be very grateful if you could consider this
request at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your help in
this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Jay Schweizer
P29
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You have moved into a room on the campus, but you find something
wrong with the room. Write a letter of complaint to the student
affairs office.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P31
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You have bought a Walkman at an airport. On reaching home, you
discover a fault with it. Write a letter to the airport authority
explaining the situation, and ask that the problem be put right.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P33
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
As part of a student social survey project, you are organizing a
group to visit a historical exhibition in a small town. Write a
letter asking for information regarding such things as the contents
of the exhibition, and the dates of its opening and closing, and if
there are any discounts available.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P34
Dear Sir,
I am organizing a group of students to pay a visit to the historical
exhibition in your town. This visit will be part of our school's
activities to encourage the students to take part in social surveys.
Therefore, I would be grateful if you would supply me with the
following information.
First of all, what are the dates between which the exhibition will
be held, and what are the daily opening hours? Secondly, what is the
size of the exhibition, what is its theme and what objects are on
display? Thirdly, are there any other activities being held in
connection with the exhibition?
I must point out that I hope to bring over 100 students to the
exhibition. So I would like to inquire if there is any discount
available on entrance tickets for students. If so, how much is the
discount and what is the minimum number of students necessary to
qualify for it?
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
P35
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You wish to study at a certain foreign university. Write a letter
inquiring about the situation there as regards accommodation, fees
and qualifications.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P36
Dear Sir,
I am a Chinese citizen who wishes to study at your university. My
plan is to start my course next term, and so I would be grateful if
you would be so kind as to provide me with certain essential
information.
First, what qualifications do I need to follow a course of study at
your university? I already have a master's degree from a university
here in China, but I wonder if there are any further academic
requirements. Second, how much are the tuition fees? Although I
intend to be self-supporting I would be interested to hear if there
are any scholarships available for overseas students. Third, what is
t he situation as regards accommodation? I would prefer a single
room, as that is more conductive studying, but if single rooms are
expensive, I would be willing to share.
I look forward to your reply, and to attending your esteemed
institution.
Yours sincerely,
P37
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
Assume that you wish to study in England, write a letter of
inquiry based on your interests. Ask what kind of clubs there are at
the university, and what is the procedure for joining them.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P39
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You are a new student, and you find out that near your school
there is a club. Write a letter to the manager of the club asking
for details of membership.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P41
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You find that your study load too heavy. Write a letter to your
college teacher explaining why you need to withdraw form two
courses. Ask if it is possible to obtain a refund.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P42
January 27, 1999
Prof. Peter James
Faculty of Education
McGill University
3700 McTavish St.
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 2L5
Dear Prof. James,
I am writing to formally request to withdraw from two courses:
Introduction to Elementary Education (EDU 602) and Teaching Methods
(EDU 619)
The main reason for reducing my course load is that I am finding it
extremely difficult to manage six courses. In the beginning of the
term, I was perhaps overly optimistic about juggling both my
full-time studies and my part-time job (20 hours/week). Because I
really must work part time, I have no other choice but to decrease
my course load. I am planning on taking the two courses during the
summer semester, if they are available, so that I will be able to
complete all the courses for the degree program by the following
year.
I would also like to request a tuition refund, and hope I am not too
late to receive the full reimbursement. I am sorry for any
inconveniences I have caused by this change in plans. This decision
was not taken lightly, and I do appreciated he kind consideration
you have shown to me.
Thank you for your attention to these requests. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me at 277-9144. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours,
P43
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You are about to pay a short visit to England, and will be in
London for two or three days. Write a letter to the London
University library asking to be allowed to use its facilities for
research in to your specialty.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P45
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You have been accepted at Moreton College, a residential college
at your new university. You are expected to arrive on 25 February to
attend the college orientation session, but you will not be able to
arrive by that date.
Write to the Principal of the College explaining why you will be
delayed, expressing your concern about missing the orientation
session, and asking what you should do.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P46
Dear Sir,
I have been accepted by your college as a full-time student. I was
informed that the regular orientation session for new students will
be held on 25 February. However, I regret to inform you that I will
be unable to attend the session.
The reason for my missing the session is that I have had a problem
arranging a flight from Beijing to London. The earliest flight I
have been able to book will arrive in London on the very day the
orientation session is to be held. It will t hen take me most of
that day to reach Durham.
As I am sure the orientation course is an important introduction to
life at the college, especially for overseas students like myself, I
would be grateful if you could advise me how I might make up for
missing it. In addition, let me apologize for any inconvenience I
may have caused for the college.
Yours sincerely,
P47
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You have had an accident and are in hospital. Write a letter to
your college administration explaining why you will be absent from
class for the next month. Ask for advice about how to continue your
studies during this period.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P49
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
One of your pen pals will shortly be visiting your city. For some
reason, you can not manage to meet him at the airport on time. Write
a letter asking him to wait for you at the airport and tell him how
to identify you.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P50
Dear John,
I am very much looking forward to your visit to my city. Just think:
After all these years of writing to each other, we will finally have
the chance to meet! However, I regret to inform you that I will not
be able to meet you at the airport as soon as you arrive.
The reason is that your flight will arrive early in the morning, and
the quickest I can get to the airport will be about an hour after
you land. Please wait for me in the arrival lounge. You should be
able to have breakfast there while you wait.
By the way, as we have never met I must tell you how to recognize
me: I am of medium height and have a small mustache. In addition, I
will be carrying a copy of the morning newspaper tucked under my
left arm.
Looking forward to our first meeting.
Yours sincerely,
P51
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
Having finished his end-of-term exams, a university student has
gone straight home without saying good-bye to his roommate. Write a
letter explaining the situation to the latter, and invite him home
during the vacation.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P52
Dear Fred,
I am writing to apologize for the abrupt way I departed just after
the exams finished. It was terribly rude of me to have left without
saying good-bye to you, especially as we have been such good
roommates. Not only did we help each other t o study over the past
term, but we also shared many leisure interests.
The fact is that I was so excited when I learned that I had passed
the exams with high marks that I could not wait to get home and tell
the good news to my parents. You see, they had been worried about
the low grades I had been getting. I'm sure you will understand my
feelings.
Anyway, to make up for my thoughtless behavior toward you I want to
invite you t o come and stay with my family during the vacation. My
hometown is located in a very scenic part of the country, and
there's lots to do and see. You are welcome to stay for as long as
you wish, so please write and let me know your decision.
Yours sincerely,
P53
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
You have a friend who is about to enter university, and he wants
you to advise him on which subject to specialize in-history, in
which he is very interested, or computer science, which offers
better job prospects.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P54
Dear John,
You have asked me for my advice concerning whether you should study
history or computer science at university, and I will try to make
some useful suggestions.
You must keep in mind that, above all, your university training is a
preparation for your future career. Therefore, your first
consideration should be to study a subject which will best equip you
to earn a living. There is no doubt that the field of computers
offers far wider job opportunities than history.
Besides, we are now in the age of the high-technology revolution.
For the foreseeable future, not only will it be necessary for
everyone to be computer-literate, it will also be necessary for them
to be equipped with computer skills merely to earn a living!
History, I'm afraid, however fascinating it may be, offers few
career prospects.
Of course, you don't have to devote all your time at university to
studying computers and nothing else. On the contrary, I would
recommend that you keep up your reading of history in your spare
time. That way, you will find that your leisure hours are enriched
while you prepare yourself for a worthwhile career in computers.
Yours sincerely,
P55
Writing Task 1
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task.
After being involved in an accident, you were looked after by
another person. Write a special letter to express your thanks.
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your address.
P56
Dear John,
I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude. I am referring to
that unfortunate accident the other day, when I was knocked off my
bike by a taxi. If it had not been for your timely assistance in
giving me first aid and taking me to a nearby hospital, I fear that
the consequences might have been much more serious.
The doctor says that my broken leg is healing well, and the bruises
and cuts I suffered will soon be completely better. In addition, the
taxi company has agreed to pay my hospital bills. Everyone agrees
that it was your quick-witted response in that emergency that has
led to this satisfactory outcome.
Although nowadays many people talk about the need to be unselfish
and to help others, we see very few people practicing what they
preach. But you showed by your selfless action that you are an
exception. If there were more people like you, this world would be a
much nicer place.
Yours sincerely,
|
