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 were unable to pay your rent on time this month.
Write a letter to your landlord, Mr Patel. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr Patel,
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 Mr Patel,
I am writing to apologise for the fact that this month's rent, which was due on the first, has not yet been paid, and to explain the situation.
The company where I work paid my salary six days late because of a problem with its payroll system. I was told the money would reach my account yesterday, but it has still not arrived. In the two years I have lived in your flat I have never been late before, and I regret the inconvenience.
I have now been assured that the wages will be paid on Friday 8 November, so I will transfer the full amount of 780 pounds to your account the same day.
To avoid the same problem in future, I will change the date of my standing order to the tenth of each month, when I will have been paid. I will also keep some savings aside as a safeguard in case my salary is delayed again.
Thank you very much for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
Marco Bianchi
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I am writing to explain the circumstances surrounding | formal opening for an explanation |
| The reason for this was | introduce a cause |
| As a result of | show a consequence |
| I hope this explains the situation. | polite way to finish an explanation |
| I would like to clarify that | make something clear |
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