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 want to take your family on a holiday but are unsure where to go.
Write a letter to Ms Novak, a travel agent. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Ms Novak,
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 Novak,
I am hoping that you can help me to plan a family holiday this summer, as I am not sure where to go.
There will be five of us travelling: my wife and I, our two children, who are eight and eleven, and my mother, who is seventy and cannot walk long distances. We would like to go for ten days in August, and our total budget is about 4,500 pounds, including flights and accommodation.
We prefer a relaxed holiday to a busy sightseeing trip. Ideally, we would like a place with a safe, sandy beach, so that the children can swim and play, and a mild climate rather than extreme heat. A few easy local attractions, such as a small historic town, would also be welcome.
Could you recommend a suitable destination and, if possible, a couple of hotels or apartments that would suit a family of our size?
I would be glad to discuss the details by phone. Thank you for your help.
Yours sincerely,
Vladimir Orlov
| 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 |
| I would recommend that | give a polite suggestion |
| It might be advisable to | suggest a sensible course of action |
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