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 about to sign a rental contract and are worried about some of the conditions.
Write a letter to a local solicitor. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
A letter that begins Dear Sir or Madam ends Yours faithfully, 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 Sir or Madam,
I am planning to rent a two-bedroom flat at 24 Park Lane, and I am writing to ask for your advice before I sign the contract.
The agreement is for twelve months, and the rent is 950 pounds a month. It states that I must pay a deposit equal to two months' rent, and that the landlord can enter the flat with only 24 hours' notice. It also says that I must pay 200 pounds if I leave early.
I am worried by several of these conditions. Twenty-four hours seems very short, and I am not sure the early-leaving charge is reasonable, because my job may require me to move abroad. I also do not understand how my deposit will be protected.
Could you tell me whether these clauses are normal and legal, and whether I should ask for any changes? I have enclosed a copy of the contract and would be grateful for an answer before Friday.
Yours faithfully,
Greta Lindholm
| 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 |
| In your professional opinion, | ask for an expert's view |
| 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.