Use the greeting, sign-off and paragraph plan below for this formal letter, write it on a 20-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model letter.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have been invited to a job interview, but you cannot attend at the time suggested.
Write a letter to Ms Turner, the human resources manager. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Ms Turner,
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
A letter to a named person ends Yours sincerely, followed by your full name.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 150 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Dear Ms Turner,
Thank you very much for your letter of 12 May inviting me to an interview for the position of project coordinator. I was delighted to hear that my application has been successful, and I am very keen to meet you and your colleagues.
Unfortunately, I am not able to attend at the time you suggested, 10 am on Wednesday 22 May. I have an important professional examination on that morning which I arranged several months ago, and it cannot be moved. I am very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
I would therefore be very grateful if the interview could be rescheduled. I am available at any time on Thursday 23 May or Friday 24 May, and I could also come on Monday 27 May in the afternoon. If none of these dates are convenient, please let me know which days suit you better and I will do my best to arrange my schedule.
Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Gulnara Yessenova
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I would like to arrange a meeting to discuss | formal way to propose a meeting |
| I propose that we meet on | suggest a time |
| Please confirm whether this date is convenient. | ask if a date suits the reader |
| I will make the necessary arrangements. | promise to organise things |
| I look forward to your confirmation. | polite closing asking for a reply |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.