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.
Your department is organising an optional training day on presentation skills.
Write a letter to the heads of the other departments. 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 invite you and your teams to an optional training day on presentation skills, organised by the Sales Department.
The day will take place on Tuesday 9 April, from 9.30 am to 4 pm, in the large conference room on the second floor. A professional trainer will lead workshops on structuring a talk, using slides effectively, and speaking confidently in front of a group. Participants will also practise short presentations and receive personal feedback.
We believe the training could be very useful for your staff. Many employees now have to present results to clients or senior managers, and a clear, confident presentation can save time and make a stronger impression. The skills are also helpful in everyday meetings, where ideas are often lost because they are not explained well.
To register, please send the names of your participants to me by email before Friday 29 March. Places are limited to thirty people and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch will be provided free of charge.
I hope many of your colleagues will be able to attend.
Yours faithfully,
Olivia Grant
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I would like to invite you to | formal way to ask someone to attend |
| It would be a great honour if you could join us. | very polite invitation |
| The event will take place on | give the date and place |
| Please let me know whether you will be able to attend. | ask for a reply |
| Refreshments will be provided. | say food and drink will be available |
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.