Table of Contents
IELTS LETTER SAMPLE
APOLOGIES
1. Your neighbors have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your house flat.
Write a letter to your neighbours. In your letter
- explain the reasons for the noise
- apologize
- describe what action you will take
Dear James,
I was very shocked to get your letter saying that the noise from my flat has been spoiling your evenings and causing you some distress. I am really, really sorry about that. I had no idea that you would be able to hear so much, so I hope you will accept my apologies.
As you may have guessed, I am trying to refit my kitchen in the evenings when I get home from work. Unfortunately, it is all getting longer than expected and I have been having problems with getting things to fit properly. This has meant to a lot of banging and hammering.
As the kitchen is still not finished, I have decided to call in a professional builder who will finish the work in the next day or two. He’ll work only during daytime hours, so you won’t be disturbed in the evenings again, I promise.
Sorry to have caused these problems,
Bill.
(157 words)
2. You borrowed an important textbook from a classmate last term. You now realise your classmate has returned home overseas and you still have the book.
Write a letter to him/her. In your letter
- apologise fro the mistake
- find out how important the book is to him/her
- say what you will do
Dear Yuki,
I hope you had a safe journey back to Japan, and that your family are all well.
I am writing to say that I’m sorry for not giving you back the book ‘English Grammar in Use’ which I borrowed from you last term. You lent it to me just before the exams to help me prepare for them, and yesterday I found it under my bed.
Please let me know straight away if you need this book for your studies right now, or whether you can manage without it.
If you really need it, I can post it for you by airmail immediately. If not, do you mind if I send it by ordinary mail as it quite heavy? Or, if you prefer, I can send seme money insead. Please let me know what you want me to do.
I hope you enjoy your holiday.
3. You are an international student and have borrowed a book from the local public library. You left the book on a bus and when you contacted the bus company, they could not find it.
Write a letter to the librarian explaining the situation and asking what you should do.
Last week I borrowed an English grammar book, “English Grammar Exercises” from your library to help me improve my knowledge of English. It was extremely useful, so when I went to visit a friend I took the book with me to show her how good it was.
Unfortunately, when I was on the bus going home, I fell asleep and missed my bus stop. I woke up at the next stop and rushed forward to the driver to ask him to stop but forgot to bring the book. As a result, the book was left on the bus. When I rang the bus company the next day, they could not find it and suggested that somebody must have picked it up.
Could you please let me know what I have to do now? As I am an international student I do not have very much money, but of course I will pay for a new copy of the book if this is necessary.
Yours faithfully
4. You are due to start a new job next week but you will not be able to because you have some problems.
Write a letter to your new employer. In your letter:
• explain your situation
• describe your problems
• tell him/her when you think you can start.
Dear Ms. Barnes,
I am writing concerning the position of Assistant Office Manager that I am due to begin next Monday. However, a problem has arisen.
As you know, I currently work for my uncle’s food-packing business, and you will remember from my interview that I have gained valuable experience there.
Unfortunately, he has had to go into hospital for an operation, leaving my aunt in charge of both the home and the business. She has asked me, as this is a particularly
busy time of year, to stay on and help her with the running of the office.
I realise this will be inconvenient to you, but very much hope that, given the circumstances, you would be prepared to allow me to take up my position with you two
weeks later than planned.
I would like to emphasise that I remain very keen to work with you, and that I will be gaining further useful experience during this time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
John Forbes
5. You borrowed some books from your school or college library. Unfortunately, you have to go away to visit a sick relative and cannot return the books on time.
Write a letter to the library. Explain what has happened and tell them what you want to do about it.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing this letter to explain why I have been unable to return the three books have out on three-day loan, which are now overdue.
After taking the books out on 16th March, I had an urgent phone call from my elderly aunt’s neighbour to say that my aunt had had a fall and had been taken into hospital. I am her only surviving relative in this country, so I felt I had to go and see her immediately. I travelled down to Surrey the following morning, thinking I would stay for only two or three days.
Unfortunately, my aunt’s condition has only improved very slowly, so I have had to stay here longer than expected. However, the hospital says that if all goes well, she should be able to go home in two or three days’ time, in which case I will be back at the beginning of next week.
Dealing in mind the circumstances I trust you will kindly waive any fines that may have accumulated.
Yours sincerely
REQUEST
6. You stayed at your friends? house when you participated in a business seminar in Australia. You left a file with important documents in your room.
Write a letter to your friend, describing the file and ask him/her to return it to you by post.
My dearest Philip,
I am sorry I am writing only now. Firstly, I would like to thank you for all the attention and support you gave me while I was in Sydney. Things like that are priceless and all I can give you is my gratitude. I expect you and Ingrid to come to Rio soon, so that I try to somehow propiciate equaly joyful moments as those you propiciated to me. I am writing also, because of the fact that I forgot a very important document in the room I used in your house.
This document is a signed contract and was the most important reason of my trip to Australia, after the business seminar I attended. You certaintly can wonder how desperate I have been in the last days looking for this document midst my luggage. I could not find it anywhere and am sure I left it in your house.
Please let me know if you find it, and post it for express delivery as soon as possible. I will pay for the expense; just let me know what is your bank, account and branch numbers.
With best whishes,
Leonardo
7. You have just spent a weekend at a friend’s house. When you returned home, you discovered you have left a coat containing some belongings in his house.
Write a letter to your friend telling him that you left the coat. Tell him what the coat looks like, where you think you left it and what was inside it. Make some suggestions about how to get it back.
Dear John,
I‛m back at home now after that great weekend at your house. Thanks very much for putting me up. I hope you‛ll be able to come and stay with me sometime soon as well.
Unfortunately, I left my new coat at your house. Do you remember the dark brown one that I wore when we went walking on Saturday afternoon? It is a New Look coat that goes down to mid-thigh level. It has a black collar, dark brown buttons and large pockets on both sides. I think I left it on the hooks behind your front door. Do you remember we hung up our coats there when we got back from our walk?
It‛s quite important for me as I have my wallet in the inside breast pocket and my diary in the right outside pocket. I have a friend who is driving through your town on Thursday and he will be quite near your office. Could he please collect it from there? I have given him your office phone number and he will call you on Thursday morning. Give me a call if this is not possible.
Anyway, thanks again for a great weekend and I hope to see you soon.
Regards,
Phillip
8. Your-have a full-time job and are also doing a part-time evening course. You naive find that you cannot continue the course.
Write a letter to your neighbours. In your letter
- describe the situation
- explain why you cannot continue at this time
- say what action you would like to take
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Muhamad Abdul. I am taking a part-time evening course. I am having a hard time keeping up with this course. I am afraid I cannot continue the course.
My problem is, I have a full-time job, from 9am – 5pm. Sometimes, I am asked to stay extra hours, to finish up the rest of the work. That is because the holidays are coming up soon. Also I have to do some work preparations for the next day.
At night when I get home, I am too tired to even prepare a dinner for myself. Also I have no time to study for this course.
I would like drop this course this quarter. Then take it again the next quarter. So, please accept my situation.
Thank you for your cooperation
Sincerely
(135 words)
9. You have just spent a weekend staying at the Lilo Hotel in Adelaide. When you get home you find that you have left a bag at the hotel.
Dear Mr. Simpson,
I stayed in your hotel on the 23rd and 24th of October. I was in Room 603. When I arrived home, I discovered that I had left one of my bags at the hotel. Could you please check your Lost and Found Department and see if my bag is there?
The bag is a small black leather, document case with a narrow strap. Inside the bag, you will find several business cards, a fountain pen, a small address book, three copies of a business proposal and a silver pocket calculator. These things are not very valuable in money terms, but they have a lot of personal value.
I would appreciate it if you could contact me as soon as possible, particularly since I need the proposals for a presentation this week. If you could send the bag to me by courier service, I would be most grateful. I have arranged to pay for the service.
Thank you for your help.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Johnson
10. Your find that your study load is too heavy. Write a letter to your college teacher explaining why you need to withdraw from two courses. Ask if it is possible to obtain a refund.
Dear Prof. James,
I am writing to formally request to withdraw from two courses: Introduction to Elementary Education (EDU602) 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 appreciate the 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,
Jane Carter
11. You live in a room in a college where you share with another student. You find it very difficult to work there because your roommate always has friends visiting. He/She has parties in the room and sometimes borrows your things without asking you.
Write a letter to the Accommodation Officer at the college and ask for a new room next term. You would prefer a single room.
Explain your reasons.
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 roommate’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,
Janice Kennedy
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my room-mate. As your know we share one room, I can not study in the room at all any more 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.
EXAMINER COMMENT: (Band 5)
The answer is below the word limit and there is some repetition of the task rubric. (Length is a common problem in General Training scripts). Answers that are short lose marks because there is insufficient material in the answer for the examiner to give credit for accuracy and coherence. Despite these problems, the introduction to the letter is appropriate and the purpose of the writer is clear. The points are not always linked together well and punctuation is sometimes faulty. The sentences are kept quite simple and mistakes occur as soon as more complex structures are attempted.
Dear Sir, Dear Lacking
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. He also has parties, which usually ends early in the morning, several times a week. Furthermore he often borrows my things without asking me.
I cannot accept this situation any layer. 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,
Jhons
EXAMINER COMMENT: (Band 7)
The answer is also short. Although ideas are often provided in the task rubric, candidates are at liberty to include some of their own ideas in their answers. In this case, the candidate has attempted to incorporate some original material. The answer reads quite fluently, is well organised and there is good use of conjunctions to link points. There are some grammatical errors but these do not affect the reader greatly and there is evidence of some more complex sentence structures.
12. 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
Dear Sir,
In September 2003, I joined your Sports and Social club as a full-time student member. Since then I have paid the monthly membership fees by direct debit from my bank: Nationwide in Sanderson Avenue, Kinghill.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my club membership as it has provided me with useful opportunities to meet up with other young people and to participate in a number of social activities. I have also been fortunate enough to play in some of the inter-club tennis tournaments and have taken advantage of the various classes available such as Yoga and T’ai chi.
However, my studies are now coming to an end and as I will shortly be returning to my home country, possibly for good, I regret that I no longer wish to continue my membership.
I would be grateful, therefore, if you could confirm in writing that the monthly fee will no longer be deducted from my bank account.
13. 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 giving your accommodation requirements. You should outline what your room and food needs are and also ask what alternatives are available if they cannot provide what you want.
Respected Sir,
I have just recently been awarded a place at your esteemed college and I now write with respect to my accommodation requirements for my first initial year.
As I will not know anyone at the College, I would like to spend my first year in a Hall of Residence so that I can meet people in this place. I would prefer the Hall to be a single sex female only hall and with full board so that I won’t have to worry about cooking for myself. In addition I also require a vegetarian choice as I am vegetarian. If there are no halls offering the above then I would be satisfied in a hall with kitchens so I can cook. In addition I would not like to share my room and I would prefer en suite facilities if you have halls offering this.
Thanking you for your assistance in advance, I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Anna da Silva
14. Last week you were on a flight to London. Unfortunately, when you left the plane, you left a bag. You did not remember about the bag until you got to your hotel.
Write a letter to the airline. Explain what has happened, describe the bag and its contents and say what you would like them to do about it.
Dear Sir,
I am writing in connection with a bag that I left on one of your planes. Last week on Tuesday 4th May I came to London on flight ABC from New York. My seat number was R5. The plane arrived late at night and I was tired. As a result when I got home, I remembered that I had left my bag on the plane under the seat in front of me.
My bag is small and made of black leather with a zip opening the top. Inside the bag there is a pen, a paperback I was reading, some car keys and my diary.
Therefore would your lost property department please check and see if they have my bag and contact me as soon as possible to let me know whether they have found it or not?
You can contact me on my mobile telephone number which is: 01753 853 736.
Thanking you in advance for your help, I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
John Smith
15. You have just returned home after living with a family in an English-speaking country for six months.
You now realise that you left a small bag of personal possessions in your room.
Write to the family describing the things you left behind. Ask them to send some ar all of them to you. Offer to cover the costs.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hooper,
I hope you are all well. The flight home seemed very long but my family all came to meet me at the airpoint, which was fantastic. Thank you so much for having me – I enjoy my time with you very much.
I have a favour to ask. When I got home, I realised that I had left a small black handbag in my bedroom. You may recall that I bought myself a new bag while I was in Sydney and I’m pretty sure I put the old one under the bed.
I don’t really need the bag but some of the things inside are of sentimental value and I would be very grateful if you could send them to me. There is a red address book, a small leather wallet with some photos and a silver necklace. None of the other things are important so please don’t worry about them. Could you please let me know how much the postage is and I will send you the money to cover the cost.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you once again for your help.
Love to all the family.
Maria
ENQUIRES / ADVISE
16. Asking for information on scholarships
Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m writing this letter to request more information about scholarship/Finance assistance offered by your College.
I was awaiting in anticipation to enroll next year for the much coveted Diploma in English, but with unfortunate circumstance, I found myself in a financial difficulty.
I would appreciate it if you could steer me in the right path for scholarship information or if the college will be able to gave me financial assistance.
My certificate in Secondary education shows above average grades. I have worked in a voluntary position on weekends teaching English to young foreign kids. I do have the means to pay back if a loan is granted by the college. My employer will vouch for my employment and provide you with my earnings, and he could also arrange a monthly deduction from salary to your bank account.
I believe I have what it takes and I trust you would consider me setback, by giving me the opportunity to study further.
Looking forward to hear from you soon.
Yours Faithfully,
M Munsamy
This is a good letter. It has the right structure, covers the task, shows good command of English, the sentences range in complexity, the grammar and spelling are fine. Some minor corrections were made, see comments. Overall, looks like Band 7.
17. You will move to a new city for work. You know some people who live there.
- Ask them for help finding accommodation
- Tell them where you would like to live
- Tell them the type of place you are looking for
Dear Sir,
I wanted to let you know that I am coming to live in (city) and I would like to ask if you can help me with a few things before I arrive and start my new job.
Do you think you could give me a hand finding somewhere to live? Ideally I would like to live close to where I am going to be working, or in the downtown district. If possible I would like to be near some shops, like a supermarket and a DVD rental place. As I really love sports it would be great to be near a park too.
I’m not too worried about the place itself. Obviously I will be looking for a flat, rather than a house, as it is just going to be me and I won’t be able to afford too much. So, a place with one bedroom is fine, but I would like to have a private bathroom (not shared), a kitchen and some kind of living room. It doesn’t matter if the kitchen is small, but it would nice to have one. I would prefer to live somewhere new, so anything in a modern apartment block would be great.
Thanks for your help
18. You would like to buy some electrical goods at a shop in a nearby town.
Write a letter to the shop and ask if they have the things you want or whether they will be able to order them. Ask what the prices are and how long they will be able to hold the goods for you.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to enquire if you have various electrical goods that I want to buy. I have tried shops in my own town but they don‛t have exactly what I want.
I want the new Sony DVD player, a Technics turntable and a radio with long wave capability. Do you have these items in stock or, if not, will you be able to order them soon? I also need to know what price you charge for these items. If you do have these things, would you be able to hold them for me and for how long? I am free this weekend and, if you have them, I can come over on Saturday morning to pay you and pick them up.
Please write back to me as soon as possible at the above address or call me on my mobile number (07364 957 143). I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Jervis
(159 words)
19. A friend of yours is going on holiday soon and has asked you to recommend a destination.
Write a letter to your friend and recommend a good place for a holiday that you have visited before. Say where you went, where you stayed, what you can do there and what the food was like.
Dear Sarah,
Thanks for your letter. I‛m glad you and the family are well. So, you‛re thinking of going on holiday in the UK. Well I can certainly recommend one destination for you. I went one year to a place called Lochinver in the north west of Scotland. It‛s quite a long trip to get there as it‛s only about thirty miles from the north coast but it‛s worth it.
There are only a few places to stay. There are two hotels, the Kirkaig and the Assynt in the centre of town, and a campsite just outside town. We stayed at the Kirkaig Hotel but I know you and your family are keen campers so you might prefer the camping option.
There is a lot to do but it‛s a bit dependent on the weather. There‛s a beautiful beach, a golf course, the fishing is excellent and there are fantastic hills nearby for walking in amazing scenery. If it‛s wet there‛s a small cinema in town but that‛s about all. Take some board games!
The food is typical British in the hotels but some of the Scottish specialities are fantastic. If you‛re camping though, food will be up to you!
Anyway, I‛ve got to go out now and pick up the kids. Write again if you need any more information.
Regards,
Mary
(222 words)
20. 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.
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 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,
James
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.
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 could supply me with the following information.
First of all, what are the dates between which the exhibition will be held, and what 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 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 quality for it?
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
George Moore
22. You have seen an advertisement for part-time work in a hotel for threemonths over the summer.
Write a letter to the Manager. In your letter
- say what experience you have
- ask what the work involves
- enquire about conditions
Dear Sir,
I am writing to enquire about the part-time position as a waiter advertised in ‘The Evening Echo’ on 24th June.
I am looking for work in the months of July and August because my university vacation is then. I have quite a lot of experience in the hotel business, as I was working in a guesthouse last year. The job involved dealing with geusts, and I very much enjoyed it. I can supply references of my previous employer if you require them.
Could you please let me know what this position involves? At the guesthouse, I worked as a porter and also I did some work as a waiter in the restaurant, so I would be interested in either of these jobs.
Could you give me an idea of the working hours? I am available at the weekends as well as during the week, and I can work any hours. However, I would prefer daytime to shifts, if possible. Could you also tell me about accommodation for employees and how much you pay.
I would appreciate hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
23. You have just rented an unfurnished flat and a friend has told you that the Opportunity Shop in the shoping centre has cheap second-hand furniture.
Write to the shop owner describing what you need and asking whether they have these items and what they cost.
Dear Sir/Madam
I have just arrived from overseas and need to have some furniture for my unfurnished flat. A friend has told me that you have some cheap second-hand furniture for sale.
Perhaps you can help me. I would like a kitchen table, some chairs, a double bed, as well as a single bed for a visitor, a cupboard for our clothes, and a bookcase. If you sell home appliances, I would like a microwave oven, a fridge, TV set and a CD player too. These must all be clean and the electrical items must be in good working condition with a guarantee of at least three months.
I would be grateful if you could give me some prices for these items. If you do not supply electrical goods, can you recommend another shop which does? Also, could you let me know what you would charge to deliver goods to High Street.
Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
24. Write a letter to the Information Officer at the TAPE Information Office asking for information about the Tertiary Preparation Certificate.
Describe your educational background and your reasons for wanting to do the course.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like some information about Ihc Tertiary Preparation Certificate. If possible I would like to enrol in this course as a part-time student in 1992.
I left school eight years ago after completing the 1ISC. Since then I have worked as a sales assistant in both Grace Bros and David Jones. From the beginning of this year I have been in charge of the Children’s Wear Department in Grace Bros, Lilyfield.
However, in order to advance any further in my career into a managerial position, I will need to do some further study, such as a Marketing or Business Course. Because I have not studied for many years, I believe that I should complete the TPC before enrolling in a Business course.
Could you please send me the information as soon as possible, and tell me the dates for enrolling in Ihe Tertiary Preparation Certificate.
Yours faithfully.
25. You have a friend who lives in a city abroad. You have decided that you would like to apply to do a course at one of the colleges in this city.
Write to your friend explaining what you would like to do. Tell him/her what type of work or studies you have been doing for the past few years and ask for assistance in contacting an appropriate institution.
Dear Anita,
Sorry I haven’t written for ages. I’ve been so busy over the last year and I never seem to have a minute to myself.
I’d like to study electrical engineering at university in Australia next year and I hope you can give me some advice. I think I would prefer Melbourne because I know a few people from my visit last year.
This year I’m doing maths and physics at school and I hope to do well in my exams. However, I really don’t know which university to apply to, so could you send me some information about different colleges? Also can you find out what qualifications I need? For instance, as an overseas student, do I have to take an English test?
I hope you don’t mind doing this for me. It is much better to get this information from someone who lives in the country, so I hope to hear from you soon.
Many thanks,
Rosanna
THANKS
26. After being involved in an accident, you were looked after by another person. Write a special letter to express your thanks.
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 lead 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,
27. You have recently been to stay with an old friend for a few days. You hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
- 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
Dear XX,
I’m writing to thank you for a really enjoyable visit. It was good to see you after so long, and to be able to spend some time with you, talking about old schoolfriends and teachers.
Now that I’m back home, I keep thinking about how good it was to be somewhere quiet and peaceful. I particularly enjoyed our trip to the wildlife sanctuary and appreciated the opportunity to see so many rare birds and animals. It’s made me think that I should try and do more to protect them, so I’m having a look on the internet to see what sort of organisation there are.
Perhaps next time we get together you could come and visit me. There are plenty of places we can go and my brother would really like to see you. Let me know when you might be free to come here and we can fix something up.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
28. You celebrated your birthday with some friends last week in a restaurant. It was a great success and you and your friends enjoyed the evening very much.
Write a letter to the restaurant to thank them. Mention the food, service and the atmosphere. Also suggest any improvements to make things better.
Dear Sir,
Last week on Saturday night some friends and I had dinner in your restaurant to celebrate my birthday. I am writing to thank you for the great evening that we had.
All my friends remarked afterwards on the standard of the food and service that we received. All the food was very tasty and well presented. Our waiter, whose name was James, was fast and friendly and put with well with our bad jokes! The restaurant itself was warm and friendly and the atmosphere showed that all the diners there were enjoying their evening.
I would like though to suggest one improvement. One of my friends is a vegetarian and he felt that the choice for vegetarians was little small. If you could develop that, it would be a great advantage to your restaurant.
Once again I would like to thank you for my highly enjoyable birthday dinner.
Yours faithfully,
Rebecca Ahlinder
VII. INFORMATION/ NEWS
29. Your car is hired from a company and while you are driving on holiday, you have a small accident. You will have to write a report to the company to explain it.
You need to explain the following:
1. When and where you hired it?
2. Describe how the accident happened?
3. What kind of action did you take after the accident?
Dear Sir,
I am a recent customer of your rental company having I rented a car from your downtown outlet in Detroit. The car hired was an economy model vehicle which I rented from March 21st to the present. I would like to commend your company on their professionalism and the service offered, and as such I am sure you will handle my incident with these qualities.
Unfortunately, I had an unavoidable accident involving the aforementioned vehicle and another party. The accident was caused by the other car failing to stop at the red light of the intersection I was passing through, and as such the second party collided into the driver’s side of my automobile. The police were informed in situ, whereupon they recorded information regarding the accident and the other driver’s insurance details.
The police established the other driver’s responsibility for the accident, and the second party’s insurance company has been informed. I would like to request that a replacement vehicle be offered while my current vehicle is incapacitated. Once again, I would like to commend your company’s professional attitude.
Yours sincerely
(184 words)
30. You had a good meal in a local restaurant with your family. Write a letter to the newspaper to tell them about it, describe the meal you had, and why you think the restaurant is worth visiting.
To the Editor,
I am a long standing member of our local community and I am writing a recommendation to other citizens for one of our fine neighbourhood dining establishments; The Lone Star Café.
There were many impressive attributes which struck me upon my entrance, such as the décor and ambience. I particularly enjoyed the laidback attitude of the place. But for my mind it was the service along with the size and quality of the portions that was most memorable.
The service was professional yet intimate, and along with the sheer quantity of the dishes served, motivated me to pass on my recommendation. I enjoyed a steak of mammoth proportions and a giant fresh, crisp salad accompanied by a selection of appropriately selected seasonal vegetables. The piece de resistance, however, was the rich Black Forest gateau served as dessert –and all for a reasonable price.
I hope after reading this, potential customers will frequent this diner – Bon appetite.
Yours truly
(161 words)
31. You are writing your first letter to a pen pal. Describe your previous studies and work experience, your current activities, hobbies and interests.
Tell your pen pal that you will be visiting him/her.
Dear Monica,
Hi! My name is Jane Zhang, and I obtained your name and address from Pen Pals International. I am very glad to have this chance to write to you and become pen pals.
Let me first introduce myself. I’m currently working as a computer programmer in a large multi-national company. I graduated from Tsinghua University with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science in July 1996. While I enjoy my current job, I’m interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, and hope to begin graduate studies next September. My hobbies include listening to pop music (especially U2), playing the piano and erhu ( a Chinese instrument), and playing tennis. I’m also very interested in travelling, and have visited every province in Chinese at least once.
This summer, I will be travelling with my mother to California. She will be attending a history conference at the University of California-Berkeley, and I have just received permission to go with her. We will stay in California for a total of 2 weeks – from August 2nd to 16th, 1999. If you are free, I would be very happy to meet you in person. Perhaps we could spend a day or two together.
Well, let me finish here. I am already eagerly awaiting your reply to this first letter. Please tell me all about yourself and your interests. I hope that we can become good friends.
Yours truly,
32. 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
Dear Sir,
I am writing to inform you that I received a letter from my bank today, which was supposed to contain my new bank card. Unfortunately there was no bank card enclosed in the envelope when I opened it.
I telephoned the bank to explain the problem, but I could not get through to the right department, even though I waited on the line for over half an hour, which was extremely annoying.
In the letter, you asked me to acknowledge the receipt of the card, but obviousely I cannot do this as I have not received it. I am now very worried because it is a possibility that my card has gone to another customer or got lost. What will happen if somebody has already used the card and and spent my money? Will the bank repay me?
Is it possible for the bank to cancel this card so nobody else can use it? Could you also send me a new card by secure means?
I hope to hear from you soon.
33. You are organising a trip to the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales for a group of students from Perth in Western Australia.
Write to the manager of Student Hostel Services and explain when you want to visit the Snowy Mountains, how long you will stay, how many students are in your party, and what accommodation you will reuire.
Dear Manager of Student Hostel Services,
I am writing to seek accommodation in the Snowy Mountains for a group of students from Perth.
We expect to be in the Snowy Mountains between June 1 and June 12. There are fourteen people in our group, five men, seven women and a married couple. The five men will accept dormitory accommodation, and the women are happy to share rooms, but the married couple would like a double room.
We hope to keep our expenses as low as possible.
Please tell me about recreational services in the area. The group will bring their own boots for bushwalking, but we are hoping to hire equipment for other sports, like skiing. Some of our group will want to hire geological picks and other equipment, if possible. We also need to know about access to caves and other interesting geological features in the area.
I am looking forward to receiving information about the Student Hostel Services and other facilities.
Yours sincerely
Amanda Chan
JOB APPLICATIONS
34. Cleaning job application
Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m writing this letter in response to the vacancy for housekeeper as advertised in the ?Daily News? on 6th of November 2007.
I have worked for the ?Care-givers? home for 5 years and thereafter was transferred to the main branch in Durban. This branch caters for two hundred people. I was appointed the supervisor, with five staff reporting to me. I have gained much experience in planning, organizing and leading in this job. I have worked with all types of people and know how to handle their problems.
The reason why I would like to apply for this job because your private home would benefit from my experience. I would be able to give much more attention to the needs of the home due to the size. My credentials speaks for itself which is attached for your perusal. I await for an interview to further discuss my experience with you.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours Faithfully,
M Munsamy
This is a good letter. It has the correct structure and covers the task. The sentences are mostly well structured, although some show use of inappropriate expressions. The vocabulary is fine.There are few grammatical errors, see comments. Overall, looks like Band 6.5 ? 7.
35. You want to apply for the following job. Write a letter to Mr. Moore describing your previous experience and explaining why you would be suitable for the job.Waiter/waitress required for evening work. Some experience necessary.
Dear Mr. Moore,
Re: Waitress position
I am writing to express my interest in your recently advertised position for a waitress. Enclosed with this letter is my resume, which further details of my previous experience and qualifications.
Not only do my qualifications and work experience make me a perfect candidate for the job, my personality is well suited to working as a waitress. I am a very friendly person who can quickly establish rapport with people of all ages. In my last waitress job, I had over a dozen repeat customers each day. And, the fast-paced environment of waiting on tables suits me well, because I thrive on working under pressure. In fact, my former boss was surprised at both my incredible stamina and efficiency in dealing with customers’ orders.
I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience, to discuss the possibility of working at your restaurant. I can be reached at 463-9234 during the days and 924-6868 after 6 pm.
Thank you for your consideration of my application. I look forward to meeting you in the near future.
Yours sincerely,
Martha Scott
36. One of your friends wants to apply for a job involving working with foreign teenagers.
Write a letter of recommendation for him/her.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have learned from your newspaper advertisement that your center is organizing an international summer camp for overseas teenagers, and you are looking for a bilingual assistant tutor to work with the children. I am writing to you to recommend one of my best friends, Helen Wang, for this post.
Helen used to be my classmate at Beijing Normal University, where she was already a very active organizer and participant in extracurricular activities. With her outstanding leadership skills and cheerful personality, she was elected chairperson of the Student Union several times.
Busy as she was, she passed the College English Test Band Six and completed her major – teenage psychology – with an excellent school record. Upon graduation she was assigned to be a teacher in an international high school in Beijing, where she has been teaching bilingual lessons for five years. What’s more, she loves her job and enjoys working with children. This has won her great popularity among her students.
Therefore, I do not hesitate to recommend her as an ideal candidate for the post you advertised. I am sure you will make a wise decision in hiring her.
Sincerely yours,
Victor Li
COMPLAINTS.
37. Write a letter to complain about a situation in which some adolescents let their dogs run wildly causing dangerous.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to draw your attention to a situation that has been developing in my neighbourhood.
Recently, I have witnessed many dogs on the loose in the neighbourhood.
The dogs, which are fierce looking and not muzzled, are given license to run around the neighbourhood. They are intimidating, especially to children and the elderly. I am afraid that it’s just a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured.
The owners of these dogs, a bunch of adolescents, seem to be unaware of the dangers of letting their pets off the leash and have adopted a nonchalant attitude. The teenagers have been asked by numerous locals to keep the dogs under control but all requests have been ignored and the situation has not improved. I therefore believe that immediate action must be taken and I ask that you investigate the matter and take appropriate action as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of injury and serious bodily harm.
(162 words)
38. You ordered a new cheque book from your bank two weeks ago but you have received nothing.
Write a letter to the manager complaining about the bad service. Say when and how you ordered the cheque book. Ask how much longer you will have to wait and ask the manager what action he will take over this matter.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to complain about the service that I have received at your bank. Two weeks ago I ordered a cheque book by filling out the appropriate form when I visited the bank but since then I have not received the cheque book and I have received no other correspondence from the bank. It is quite urgent for me as I have quite a few bills that I need to pay that can only be paid by cheque.
Please write to me as soon as possible and let me know how much longer I will have to wait for my cheque book and please explain why I have had to wait so long. I would also like to know what action you are going to take regarding this bad service.
I have been a customer of your bank now for fifteen years and this is the first time I have had to complain. It is very disappointing.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Swann (172 words)
39. You went to the local hospital’s Emergency Department with your young child who had severe stomach pains. You had to wait for almost four hours before your daughter was treated by a doctor and, while you were waiting, you were constantly ignored by the other staff.
write a letter to the Registrar, complaining about the service you received.
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to complain about the treatment my daughter and I received when we visited the casualty department in your hospital last weekend.
During the afternoon, my daughter developed severe pains in the stomach. Because it was Sunday, my normal doctor was not in his surgery, so we went to the hospital casualty department. When we reached the Enquiry counter, it was obvious that my daughter was unwell as she was screaming with pain. However, the Receptionist just told us to sit down and wait.
Over the next four hours, I constantly asked how long it would take for a doctor to see my daughter, but the Receptionist was quite rude and didn’t seem to care very much. Eventually, we did see a doctor and my little girl had to undergo tests to see if she had appendicitis. However, I was really angry because the doctor said he had not seen anyone for over an hour, so the Receptionist wasn’t doing her job properly.
I would be grateful if you could investigate this terrible service to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Yours faithfully
40. 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.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing with regard to the article in your newspaper dated 7th September. My house is situated within 20 minutes walk of the airport. Please allow me to point out the problems which have caused serious damage on the residential area. I am fully sure that the problems must be aggravated if the plan is carried out to expand the airport and Increase the number of flights.
First of all, the low-flying aeroplanes are utterly distractive. They make such a big noise that I cannot concentrate on housework at all. What is worse, I am woken up by the late hour flights at midnight; I was diagnosed as Insomnia the other day. I should call this situation noise pollution.
Secondly, I am afraid that the expansion of the airport may reduce the plot of land for the playground which is under construction near the airport at the moment. To sum up, I strongly disagree with the plan. I would appreciate if you could possibly write the article about the problems and disagreement as I said above.
Yours faithfully
41. You recently bought an item of clothing from a shop. You discovered that it had a fault and returned it to the shop for replacement or refund. However, the assistant told you that this was against the store’s policy.
Write a letter to the store manager, explaining the problems you have had. Ask for a refund or exchange on the item.
Dear Sir or Madam
Re: faulty jumper and refund refusal
On Wednesday 2nd January, I bought a green long-sleeved jumper from your store. The jumper was medium-sized and made fom cotton. It cost $59.95 and it was not on special.
When I got home, I discovered that there was a small hole in the left sleeve. It looks like a rip of some kind and the stitching has unravelled. I returned to your shop the next day to ask for an identical replacement jumper. Unfortunately there were none in stock. Therefore I asked for a refund. However, the shop assintant refused to give me a refund because it was not the policy of the store.
I am writing to demand a refund or, at the very least, a replacement jumper. The jumper is unwearable as it is and I do not want to buy anything else. I hope that you can assist me in this matter. If I do not get satisfaction, I will be forced to seek legal advice.
Yours sincerely
Susan Milne.
42. You have had a bank account for a few years. Recently you received a letter from the hank stating that your account is $240 overdrawn and that you will he charged $70 which will he taken directly from your account. You know that this information is incorrect.
Write a letter to the bank. Explain what has happened and say what you would like them to do about it.
Dear Sir,
I am writing in reply to a letter I received from you a few days ago. In your letter you state that I am $240 overdrawn and that you will be charging me $70.
I would like to point out that the reason I am overdrawn is because of a mistake made by your bank. If you look through your records you will see that I wrote several weeks ago explaining the situation. For the last twelve months, I have been paying $300 a month for a car I bought last summer. The monthly payments were taken directly from my bank account. However, two months ago I sold the car and I wrote to you instructing you to stop paying the monthly instalments. I received a letter from you acknowledging my request, but, for some reason, nothing was done about it. Another $300 instalment has been paid this month and this is the reason why I am overdrawn.
I would like you to contact the garage where I bought the car explaining your error. I would also like you to ask them to return the money.
Yours faithfully,
43. You travelled by plane last week and your suitcase was lost.
You have still heard nothing from the airline company.
Write to the airline and explain what happened. Describe your suitcase and tell them what was in it. Find out what they are going to do about it.
Dear Sirs,
I was one of the passengers who took the flight from Narita (Tokyo) to Heathrow (London) on 5 August. Unfortunately, my suitcase did not come out after the flight. Although I have explained this Mr. McDonald who was in charge at the Luggage Claim Office I have not heard from him as of now.
My suit case is grey Samsonite whose size is 10 x 95 cm. There are 3 steckers on one side and 1 heart shaped stecker on the other side. My initials “AR” are also written on both sides.
There are a few books and a copy of my thesis in that suitcase which I need for the conference on 19 August.
So I would deeply appreciate it if you could give me a prompt reply at your most convenient. My flight number, luggage claim number and address are written below.
Flight No : NH 101
Luggage Claim No : 00026
Address : 6H Silver Street
London.NWI6 5AL
Yours Faithfully.
OPINION
44. 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
Dear Sir,
I have been a part-time fitness instructor in your gym for four months. I was pleased to be offered the job, not only because I need to earn some extra money to cover my living expenses but also because I need some experiense in fitness training.
It has been obvious to me that people often need help in using the gym equipment.However, it seems that the other trainers have not been encourage to offer assistance to club members. I offer as much as I can, but this means that I am constantly in demand and therefore, working harder than anyone else in the gym. This situation seems rather unfair.
While I realise that members receive initial gym instruction, I feel that they also need ongoing help with the equipment. Could I suggest that a letter is sent to trainers promoting this? After all, personal attention of this kind makes people feel valued and may result in increased membership.
Yours faithfully
45. 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 was wrong
- explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time
- say what action you would like the manager to take
Dear Sir,
I have just returned home after spending three nights at your hotel in Paddington. The staff were very friendly and the location was extremely convenient. However, I feel I must express my disappointment about the room.
As we all know, London is experiencing a very warm summer this year, with temperatures around 30 °C last week, which is quite unusual. As a result, it was very hot in my room on the sixth floor.
Because of the extreme heat in the room, I had to leave the windows open all night and so it was very noisy, as the hotel is on a main road and the traffic never stops in London. Consequently, I got very little sleep over the three nights.
I think it would be a good idea to install an airconditioning system in the hotel. This could also be used as a heating system in the winter and would certainly make the rooms more comfortable. Perhaps you would consider giving me a discount if I come to your hotel again.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
INVITATIONS – ACCEPTING/REJECTING
46. You cannot go to a company where you got an offer. Write a letter to the HR supervisor to
1. Explain the reason why you decline the offer
2. Express you gratitude
3. Explain you like your current job very much.
Dear Sir,
I was a potential employee to whom you made a job offer. I would like to extend my thanks for such an offer, especially at such a company as yours. It is, however, with deepest regret that I must decline your generous invitation and apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.
I appreciate immensely the interview organized by your company and the extensive effort made by all the staff involved. Their attitude was impressive and highly commendable. As such I must pass my sincerest apologies for any difficulties related to the extra work that must have been involved, and the time wasted on your behalf. Although the offer was substantial, it wasn’t enough to encourage me to sever the bonds with my current employer. During my time at my present company my superiors supported me and fostered my career. In short, they made me the employee I am today.
I would like to keep the lines of communication open between our two parties, and look forward to further correspondence.
Yours sincerely
(174 words)
47. A friend you met last year has invited you to visit them in their country. You have never been there before and need some information before you leave.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- request advice about a gift for his/her family
- ask about activities and clothing
- find out about the food
Dear Robert,
Hi there, I hope you’re enjoying your college year. Thanks very much for asking me to come and visit you in Singapore. As you know, I haven’t travelled to Asia before, so I though I’d write and ask you a few questions.
I want to bring a present with me and I wondered what would be appropriate. Perhaps you could let me know what your mum’s hobbies are and then I could come up with an idea based on one of them.
Also, what sort of clothes should I bring? I know it’s pretty warm where you live but do I need jumpers or a coat? what sort of activities are we likely to do while I’m there and should I bring things like swimming gear or trainers.
Lastly, I hate to be nuisance but I hope you remember that I’m vegetarian. I do eat fish and eggs but I don’t eat red meat and chicken at all. Is that going to be a problem?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Barnaby
48. You recently visited a place that had a strong impact on you.
Write a letter to a friend about the place. In your letter.
- explain where the place was and how you got there
- describe what you saw
- offer to take your friend there.
Dear Sam,
I have just returned from my holidays in France and while we were there we climbed a mountain called ‘Parleman’ in the French Alps. We were able to drive half way up the mountain but then the road stopped. So we parked, put on our walking boots and began the long uphill struggle.
Despite of the road at the begining, it still took us a while to complete the climb but it was well worth the effort. When we got to the top of the mountain, the view was incredible. I could see right across the town and the lake to one side, and on the other side were the snow-covered peaks of Mont Blanc. It was simply breathtaking.
As you know, we often go to France on our holidays and next time we plan a trip, I’d really like to take you there. I’m sure you would love the scenery and as you enjoy exercise, you would be able to take advantage of all the mountain walks.
I hope to hear from you soon.
SHARED
49. You have recently heard that a friend of yours has had some problems as a result of some unusual weather. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter
- express concern (i.e. say you are sorry to hear what has happened)
- tell them about a similar experience that you once had
- give some advice or offer help
Dear Anna and Leo,
We were shocked to hear from Lara about the storm that hit your city recently and the damage done to your house. How awful to come home from your holiday to find the roof blown off the house!
I understand how you must feel, as we had a similar experience a few years ago when there was a sudden electrical storm here in Sydney. I came home from work to find that a tree had fallen on top of the house and all the windows were broken. Fortunately the insurance covered the cost of the repairs, but it was still very upsetting.
I suppose you have to think positively in situations like this and look at the opportunity you have to improve your house – give it a new look. If we can do anything for you in the holidays, we’d be happy to help.
Drop us a line and let us know.
Best wishes
DELAY
50. You have been invited to attend an interview for a place studying a course in a college. Unfortunately because of a previous appointment you cannot come at the time they wish.
Write a letter to the admissions tutor and explain your position. Apologise and offer to come on another day or later the same day. Ask also how long the interview will be and whether there will be any tests during it.
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for your letter dated 15th May inviting me for an interview at your college on Wednesday 2nd June at 10am. I am extremely sorry but I am unable to come to an interview at that time because I have a maths exam that morning. It really cannot I miss this exam but of course I really wish to attend the interview with you. Is it possible that I could come to the interview the same day but in the afternoon? Failing that, I would be able to come the next day or any day after.
I would also like to ask some things about the interview. I would like to know how long it will last and also whether I will be required to do any tests during it.
Once again I apologise for not being able to attend the interview at the time that you wanted and I hope I will be able to meet with you at another time.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
James Walker
(179 words)
51. A friend has asked you to babysit on Saturday and wants to know how much you charge per hour for this. Unfortunately, you already have a commitment this weekend and cannot help. However, you free the following weekend.
Write a letter to your friend exlaining that you are not able to help this time, but could help later. Explain also what your fee for the service is.
Dear XX (name of colleague)
Thank you for asking me to babysit for you. As you know I enjoy looking after Anthony and would be happy to help you out. However, this weekend I have a commitment which I cannot break.
My parents are coming to visit and I am going to take them down to the coast as I have always promised to do. They are getting older so I like to spend as much time with them as possible. Also, it is my father’s birthday and I want to celebrate with them. I am really sorry that I am not able to help this time, but I am free next weekend and I would be glad to babysit for you then, if you should choose to go out for the evening.
My charge is fifteen dollars per hour until midnight and twenty dollars per hour after that. You would need to give me any special instructions you might have and, of course, leave a phone number in case of emergency.
Yours sincerely
52. You have been offered a job, asking you to start next week. You want the job very much but, because of a previous commitment, you want to delay the start for another two weeks.
Write to the Manager, accepting the job, but explaining your situation and asking for the change to your start date.
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to request putting off the job which you have offered. I really want the job but I have a important previous commitment. So, I cannot start to work next week.
I was offered the job yesterday, which wanted me to start next week. Thank you so much for offering the job. I really want to work at your company. However, I cannot start next week because I have a previous commitment which is my sister’s wedding. It is next weekend, besides. She lives in Korea and she want me to prepare her wedding with my parents. So I have to go to Korea next Monday. After the wedding I will travel a few days with my parents who wanted me to travel because I have lived for 4 years far from home. That is why I cannot start the work next week. I will come back to Sydney two weeks later. I would like to delay the start for another two weeks. Could you delay the start date for me?
Once again, thank you very much for offering it. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully
53. You successfully passed a job interview. You are expected to start on November 15, but you will not be available on that date.
Write a letter to your new boss, explaining your situation, expressing your concern and suggesting solution.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Leonardo Gomes and I have recently passed a job interview for the Software Engineer position at the Software Infrastructure group. I was expected to start on November 15, as agreed, and am writing because unfortunately I will not be able to present myself on that date.
During the interview I estimated fifteen days as the amount of time needed for me to finish my activities at my current job and start at your company, but due to fact that I got sick for the last whole week and was not able to work, I could not finish my tasks and will need another week to do so. If necessary, I can give you a copy of a letter from my doctor informing that I had to stay at home and under medical care during that week.
I really apologize for the inconvenience and expect it not to affect our relationship. Should I present any other form of proof or talk to someone else at the company, please let me know.
Faithfully yours,
Leonardo
54. One of your pen pals will shortly be visiting your city. For some reasons, 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.
Dear Mary,
I am very much looking forward to your visit to my city. Just think: after all these years to 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 time 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,
Harry
