Task 1

You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However, there are many problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to work. Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In the letter, Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,

You use this expression when you dont know the name of the person you are writing to, nor their gender. In the IELTS exam, candidates are given the opening. You need to write this above their address and under their name. You are not required to write addresses in the IELTS Writing Task 1. This is always stated at the beginning of a semi-formal/formal letter.

B C

D E F

This sentence contains a request for action. These requests always occur after the description of the situation and before signalling that the letter is ending. You need to put the name of the receiver here if you know it. These paragraphs show the usual sequence of information in a semiformal/formal letter: general description of situation further details of situation request for action. You always finish a letter with this expression if you have started it with Dear Sir/ Madam. It is always placed above the date and the letter and often blocked to the left. It always goes in this position. It can be written in numbers or in full. As American and English ways of writing dates as numbers are different it is better to write the date in full to avoid confusion. Candidates are not required to write dates in the IELTS Writing Task 1. It is often used in this kind of letter to make the topic of the letter immediately clear to the reader. It can be omitted. It is often written in bold or underlined. It is not required in the IELTS Writing task 1. This is a very common and polite signalling of the end of a semi-formal/formal letter.

G H I

Information on Letter Layout in English Worksheet - Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. NB E B H I A J C F D G In the IELTS General Training Writing letter, candidates must not write any addresses.

Different Kinds of Conjunctions in Writing - Worksheet Here are some conjunctions that are common in English neutral and formal writing. They are grouped according to their function. What is their function? Match one of the functions A- F against the number for each group. 1 To add information . 2. To compare information 3. To introduce examples

4 To introduce a conclusion 5. To contrast information 6. To sequence points . A B C D E F Some other conjunctions To add information Besides, not only .... but also, as well To contrast information Nevertheless, in spite of this To introduce examples For example, by way of example, e.g. To introduce a conclusion In conclusion To compare On the one hand ... on the other (hand), unlike, like To sequence points secondly, lastly Firstly, next, finally, Whats more, in addition Whereas, in comparison with ..., while But, however To sum up, to conclude For instance

Different Kinds of Conjunctions in Writing - Answers 1 2 3 4 5 6 B D F E C A

Functions in Letter Writing - Worksheet Here are some examples of ways of saying some of the functions that are common in letter writing. 1. Write the letter of each example in the correct box. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. 2. Introducing complaints Inviting Apologising Making proposals Expressing opinions Please accept my apologies for ... Would you like to come to ... Maybe we could ... Unfortunately, I have to say that ... In my view ... Im very sorry about ... I would like to suggest that ... I am afraid that I need to tell you that ... Id like to invite you to ... In my opinion ...

3. Can you think of any other examples to add to each box? Make sure they are neutral in formality, like those in a. j. 4. Here is an IELTS letter topic. In groups, decide how you could use any of the above expressions in this letter. Write your suggestions down then tell them to your teacher. You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However, there are many problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to work. Write a letter to the accommodation officer in the college. In the letter 1. Describe the situation 2. Explain your problems and why it is difficult to work 3. Say what kind of accommodation you would prefer 5. Write the letter for homework.

Functions in Letter Writing - Answers 1. Introducing complaints d, h Inviting b, i Apologising a, f Making proposals c, g Expressing opinions e, j

2. Some other possible examples: Introducing complaints: Im sorry to have to say ... I regret to have to tell you that ... Inviting: Would you be able to come to ... Can I invite you to ... Apologising: I would like to apologise for ... Im really sorry that ... Making proposals: One way of solving this problem could be ... Perhaps it would be possible to ... 3. Possible answers: k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience I have caused Maybe we could change rooms Unfortunately, I have to say that it is quite impossible for me to work In my view, this student should not share with other people Im very sorry about writing to complain I would like to suggest that I am given another room I am afraid that I need to tell you that I cannot go on sharing with this person In my opinion, the noise he makes is quite intolerable