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 are a final-year student and are unsure which topic to choose for your dissertation.
Write a letter to Professor Kemp, your academic adviser. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Professor Kemp,
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 Professor Kemp,
I am a final-year student on your sociology course, and I am writing to ask for your advice about choosing a dissertation topic.
I am currently considering three possibilities. The first is the effect of social media on teenagers' friendships. The second is how migration changes family relationships. The third is the role of volunteer work in helping young people find employment. All three interest me, and each could provide enough material.
The difficulty is that I cannot decide which one is the most suitable. The first topic has been studied extensively, so I worry that I would have nothing new to say. The second is more original, but I do not have easy access to interview participants. The third is practical, but I am not sure that I can collect enough data before the deadline.
I would be extremely grateful for your opinion on which topic is the most realistic, or whether you would suggest a different approach. If it is convenient, I could come to your office hours on Tuesday afternoon.
Thank you very much for your help.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas Keller
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I am writing to ask for your advice on | formally request guidance |
| In your professional opinion, | ask for an expert's view |
| 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 |
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.