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 have just finished a research project at university and your supervisor helped you a great deal.
Write a letter to Dr Moreno, your supervisor. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Dr Moreno,
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 Dr Moreno,
Now that my research project is complete, I would like to thank you sincerely for your support over the past year. I could not have asked for a better supervisor.
What I found most useful was your habit of asking questions rather than giving answers. When my data seemed to contradict my hypothesis, you encouraged me to look at the problem differently instead of changing the results, and that completely changed the quality of my analysis. Your detailed comments on each draft also taught me how to write clearly and to support every argument with evidence. I am especially grateful for the time you gave me each week, even when you were extremely busy.
Looking ahead, I plan to submit a summary of my findings to the student research journal this autumn. After that, I hope to apply for a master's programme in environmental science, and I would be honoured if you would agree to act as one of my referees.
Thank you again for everything you have done.
Yours sincerely,
Isabel Moreira
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I am writing to thank you for | formal opening for a thank-you letter |
| I would like to express my sincere gratitude for | say thank you in a strong, formal way |
| Your support made a real difference. | say that someone's help mattered |
| I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into | show you value someone's work |
| I would be happy to return the favour. | offer to help in the future |
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.