IELTS General Training Writing Practice Test 5

Write your own response before opening this example. This is a sample from the book, not a score or assessment of your writing.

Dear Ms Andrews,

I am writing to ask whether I could have some time off work next term in order to attend a course in project management.

The course is run by Westfield College and leads to a recognised professional certificate. It covers planning, budgeting, managing risks and leading a team, and it lasts for ten weeks, with one full-day class every Thursday. There is also an online assignment at the end of the course.

As you know, I have recently started coordinating the new booking system, and I have found it challenging to keep track of deadlines and costs across several teams. I believe this course would give me the skills to manage projects like this much more effectively. In the longer term, it would also prepare me to take on a supervisory role, which I would very much like to do.

I would need to take ten Thursdays off between January and March. I am happy to use some of my annual leave for this if necessary. My colleague Tom Riley has kindly agreed to cover my urgent tasks on those days, and I would make sure that all my regular reports are completed by Wednesday evening each week.

I would be very grateful if you could consider my request. I would be happy to discuss it with you at any time.

Yours sincerely,

Daniel Okafor

Commentary

• TA: All three bullet points are covered fully: the course is described (content, length and schedule), its value to the job is explained, and the time off and cover arrangements are clearly stated. The purpose of the letter is clear from the first sentence.
• CC: Each paragraph deals with one bullet point, in a logical order. Linking expressions ("As you know", "In the longer term", "if necessary") are natural and accurate.
• LR: The tone is polite and appropriately formal for a manager ("I would be very grateful if you could consider my request"). Vocabulary is precise ("recognised professional certificate", "keep track of deadlines", "supervisory role").
• GRA: A good range of structures is used accurately, including conditionals ("I would need…", "if necessary"), relative clauses and present perfect forms for recent experience.
• Possible improvements: The letter could mention the cost of the course and whether the writer is asking the company to pay. The offer to use annual leave might be placed after the cover arrangements, so that the request sounds more confident.

Write your own response before opening this example. This is a sample from the book, not a score or assessment of your writing.

In the past, most people knew the families who lived around them well, but today it is common for neighbours to be almost strangers. In my view, this change is mainly the result of the way people now live and work, but there are several practical steps that could help to reverse it.

One important reason is that people move house far more often than they used to. When people rent a flat for a year or two before moving on, they have little reason to make an effort to get to know the people next door. In addition, long working hours and long journeys to work mean that many adults leave home early and return late, so they rarely see their neighbours. Technology has also played a part. People can now stay in touch with friends and family anywhere in the world, and shop and entertain themselves without leaving home, so they depend far less on the people who live nearby.

Nevertheless, there is a great deal that can be done to bring neighbours together. Local councils could provide shared spaces, such as community gardens or small parks, where people naturally meet and talk. Residents themselves can organise regular events. In my own street, for example, a summer street party was started five years ago, and it has led to a book club and a group that helps elderly residents with their shopping. Online neighbourhood groups can also be useful, as they allow people to offer help, lend tools or share information about local problems, which often leads to face-to-face contact.

In conclusion, people know their neighbours less well today mainly because they move more often, spend less time at home and rely less on their local community. However, shared spaces, local events and online groups can all help to rebuild these important connections.

Commentary

• TR: Both parts of the question are answered fully and in a balanced way. Three clear reasons are given, and the solutions are practical and well developed, with a personal example (the street party) that is relevant and convincing.
• CC: The essay is logically organised, with one paragraph for causes and one for solutions. Ideas are linked smoothly ("One important reason", "In addition", "also played a part", "Nevertheless").
• LR: The vocabulary is natural and precise, for example "almost strangers", "make an effort", "stay in touch", "face-to-face contact" and "rebuild these important connections".
• GRA: A wide range of structures is used accurately, including "used to" for past habits, complex sentences with "When…" and "so…", and the present perfect ("has led to").
• Possible improvements: The point about technology could be developed further, since technology is also offered as a solution later; acknowledging this contrast would show more sophisticated thinking.