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.
There is a large hole in the road near your home that is a danger to drivers and cyclists.
Write a letter to the local council. 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 writing to report a dangerous hole in the road outside number 15, Maple Avenue, which has been there for about three weeks.
The hole is roughly sixty centimetres wide and ten centimetres deep, and it is in the middle of the lane that leads towards the high street. It has grown steadily larger since the heavy rain at the beginning of the month, and it is now difficult to see at night because there is no street light nearby.
It is a serious danger to drivers and cyclists. Several cars have swerved suddenly to avoid it, which could easily cause an accident, and yesterday a cyclist fell off her bike after hitting the edge. Children also use this road on their way to the primary school, so someone could easily be badly hurt.
I would like the council to inspect the road as soon as possible and to put up a warning sign until the surface can be properly repaired. I would also be grateful if you could tell me when the repair will take place.
Yours faithfully,
James Whitaker
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I am writing to inform you that | formal opening to give news |
| I would like to bring to your attention | tell someone about something important |
| Please be advised that | formal way of warning or informing |
| For further details, please do not hesitate to contact me. | invite more questions |
| The following information may be of use to you. | introduce a list of facts |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
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Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
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