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 would like to organise a charity run in your local park next spring.
Write a letter to the park manager. 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 ask for your permission to hold a charity run in Greenfield Park on Sunday 11 May next year. I am organising the event with a group of local volunteers to raise money for the children's ward at the city hospital.
The run will be a 5-kilometre route along the main paths around the lake, starting at 9 am and finishing by midday. It will be followed by a small family picnic, with music and refreshments on the grass near the main gate. All runners will wear numbered shirts, and our volunteers will guide them along the route.
We expect between 300 and 400 people to take part, including many families with children. We will arrange our own first-aid team and we will clear all rubbish afterwards.
I would be grateful if you could tell me what permission is required and whether there is a fee for using the park. We would also appreciate some help with temporary toilets and the use of a few tables. I would be pleased to meet you to discuss the plans.
Yours faithfully,
Tomas Novak
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I would be most grateful if you could | very polite way of asking for something |
| Could you please let me know whether | polite indirect question |
| I would appreciate it if you could send me | polite request for something to be sent |
| Please find attached | introduces a document sent with the letter |
| Thank you for your time and consideration. | polite closing line |
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.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.