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 worked in the same field for six years and would like to change career.
Write a letter to Ms Yamamoto, a careers adviser. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Ms Yamamoto,
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 Yamamoto,
I was given your name by a friend who told me how helpful your advice had been, and I am writing to ask for your guidance on changing career.
For the past six years, I have worked as an accountant for a manufacturing company. My duties include preparing monthly reports, managing budgets and checking invoices. I am organised, good with numbers and used to meeting strict deadlines, and I also speak good English.
However, I no longer feel challenged by my work. The tasks have become repetitive, and I have realised that what I enjoy most is training new colleagues and explaining financial concepts to them. For this reason, I would like to move into a career in education or professional training.
I am not sure how to begin. Do I need to take a new qualification first? Should I look for a part-time position to gain experience while continuing in my current job?
I would be grateful if you could suggest a sensible plan, and I would be glad to meet you at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Rustam Aliyev
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I am writing to ask for your advice on | formally request guidance |
| I would be very grateful for any guidance you could offer. | polite request for help |
| I would recommend that | give a polite suggestion |
| It might be advisable to | suggest a sensible course of action |
| Thank you in advance for your assistance. | thank someone before they help |
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