IELTS

Complaint letter
You are a student at an English language school in Brighton and are living in private accommodation with other flat mates. You have not had hot water or heating for some time. The landlord’s workmen have tried to fix the problem but without success. Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter: state your reason for writing describe the problems and explain how you feel propose a solution and risk the landlord to take action
Model answer:
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am one of the tenants at your property in Upper Lewes Road, and am writing to complain about the fact that we do not have any hot water or heating in our house.
As you know, we have been living in this house since September and have always paid our rent on time. However, we have had no hot water for last two weeks. This is making our lives very difficult, especially as it is now the middle of winter. Last week you said you would send a workman to our house within 3 days, but no one came. After calling many times, the workman eventually arrived at the house 5 days later. Unfortunately, he said he could not fix the problem because the boiler was too old! We are now extremely unhappy about this solution.
We are prepared to continue to rent your house but please arrange for emergency repairs to be made. We also request a 40% discount on our rent for the period we have been without any hot water or heating.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Model answer:
Dear Sir,
I am Dr. Hadi Ibrahim, the tenant of flat No. 26th in the 8th floor of Olaya building since the beginning of this month.
My first impression about the apartment was good unless we stayed for a few days. Unfortunately I realized that the furniture in living and children's room has been damaged beyond repair were horribly old, I am certain that once you get acquainted with the bad quality of the furniture and foul smelling couches you will be as appalled as I am.
In addition the children's room cabinet is not fixed as it cannot opened properly of hold clothes inside.
As you can imagine, the quality of apartment furniture fell far short of my expectations considering the great deal of money I have spent with it.
I write this letter to ask you to look into the matter and arrange for new furniture to be put in the living and children's room, or to send temporary replacements.
Aside from the judgment about solutions, I would like to inform you that I will look for another apartment to transfer soon under denial of my request.
I am looking to forward to your quick and optimistic reply.
Yours Faithfully,

Model answer:
Dear Mr Smith,
I am writing to you to complain about the poor condition of our accommodation, and request that you to resolve the outstanding issues.
We are living in Room 404, No 5, XXX Road. For the past month, we have neither hot water nor heating. Though your workmen were sent to repair the problem, they failed. And so far, this problem has not yet been solved.
As the weather is getting increasingly cold, we feel unable to stand the temperature. John, one of the tenants, works at a nearby car factory, and is very sweaty after work, but cannot stand the cold water, and has to travel 15 minutes for a bath. Additionally, I have important examinations in a few weeks, but every night I shiver and cannot fall asleep. Peter has had a bad cold and has spent days recovering.
I trust that you will consider this issue seriously and take appropriate measures. You should either spend more money and hire better repair people to get it fixed as soon as possible, or accommodate us somewhere else. Otherwise, we will be forced to resort to the use of legal procedures.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,

Request of information or
You are due to move into a rented apartment next month but you will not be able to because you have some problems. Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter: explain your situation describe your problems tell him/her when you think you can move in
Model answer:
Dear Miss Berry,
As you know, I have rented 41 George Roche Road from you for six months from 15th August. However, I am afraid I will no longer be able to move in on that date, as my plans have had to change because of illness.
During the summer vacation, I was working in a company as a Project Manager. Towards the end of my shift, I slipped and fell on a wet floor and broke my wrist. Luckily, it was a clean break and didn't require surgery. However, it is my right wrist, and so I am unable to write for the time being.
At present, I am at home in Kuala Lumpur until the plaster can be taken off – I think this should be in the last week of September. I will then return to my course in Canterbury and take up residence at 41 George Roche Road.
I hope this will not cause you any difficulties.
Yours sincerely,
Model answer:
Dear Miss Berry,
As you know, a month ago I rented an apartment located at the address General Green 12/25. According to the contract which we signed I have to move to this flat on September 10.
Unfortunately, some circumstances aroused which prevent me from moving on due date.
During summer vacations I was working in a hotel. Unfortunately, a serious crime was committed there and now the police asked all witnesses not to leave the city till September 20. As I am actins as a crucial witness I have no choice and I will stay in York till September 20.
I have reread our contract and it is said we are able to choice the date of movement on mutual agreement.
I would like kindly ask you to agree to change the due date of movement. Please take into consideration that it is not my fault and I hope it will not cause you any inconveniences.
Yours sincerely,
You are going on a short course to a training college abroad. It is a college that you have not been to before.
Write a letter to the accommodation officer. In your letter give details of your course and your arrival/departure date explain your accommodation needs ask for information about getting to and from the college

Model answer:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to inform you that I will be attending the Advanced Life Insurance course, being held from Tuesday 24th April until 27th April, at the University of Hartford.
I will be arriving on the afternoon of Monday 23th and will be leaving on the morning of Saturday the 28th of April, so I will require a single room for this time. I would prefer my own bathroom, if this is possible, but do not mind sharing if I have to; however, as I am wheelchair bound, the room will have to be disability friendly. Could you please tell me how much this will cost and how I should make a payment? Do you accept VISA?
As I do not know the area, I would also be grateful if you could provide some information about getting to and from the University. Will I need to take public transport from the station or is there a University bus service? Any information on what to see and do in the area would also be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your assistance.

Model answer:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to ask for information about your accommodation situation in this semester.
I am going to apply a short programming course in nest semester. This course is settled by engineering college for first four week of the next spring semester. I hope arrive there on first week of February. I do not know anyone at your town, so I need to stay in an accommodation. I need some facilities for my accommodation include the unlimited access to the internet, my own bathroom. Besides, I would like to have a single room, if it was possible. Could you please me how much it cost, and how can I pay it.? Should I pay my whole rent before arrived? Can I pay with credit card?
Moreover, I will fly to your city, could you tell me how can I getting your accommodation from airport? Can I use public transport like bus or train?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Model answer:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am an international student from Shanghai who is going to your college for a brief training program called ‘3G Technology and Its Implementations’. I will be arriving at the dormitory on the morning of August 15th, and will be leaving for another programmed in Singapore on the morning of August 31st. I am writing to you to request help regarding accommodation and to request information about the campus.
Because I am allergic to cats, I hope that you can put me in a pet-free room or dormitory. Additionally, due to the cold weather, I am currently suffering from asthma, so could you possibly put me in a room on the ground floor?
Also I would like to know how long it will take for me to walk to the college from the dormitory. Do I need to rent a bike or take a bus? If I need to rent a bike, then how much does that cost?
I would appreciate it if you can help me and send me more information. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,

Business

Job application
You are looking for a part-time job.
Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter introduce yourself explain what sort of job you would like and say what experience and skills you have
Model answer:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a German national from Heidelberg and at present I am studying for a Master’s degree in Commercial Law here, at the University of Bielefeld, where I have been for the last two months.
I am looking for a part-time job and I wonder if you can help me. Probably, I would like an office job, perhaps working as a secretary, office administrator or typist. I can only work during the afternoons and at weekends as my university studies occupy most of the day. I would be ready to start immediately.
I am a competent typist and I am computer-literate. In addition, I speak Polish and German fluently and I have been learning English for the past three years. While I studied for my degree, I worked as a part-time office manager for an import-export firm in Heidelberg. In recent years, I have also had temporary summer jobs as a hotel receptionist in Mannheim, Germany.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,

Model answer:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am from Zimbabwe and currently studying for a Bachelor degree in Marketing in London. I have been here for six months now and I am looking for a part-time job to gain some additional practical experience.
As I live and study in south London I would prefer a job in a small marketing company in this area. I would be interested in a company that engages in any type of promotional activities such as organising events and public relations. Twenty hours a week is what I am legally allowed to work and my mornings are free as all my lectures are in the afternoons.
As my CV points out, I have been employed in my family-run public relations company in Harare as an event’s organiser. I have good organisational, time-management and communication skills due to this experience. I am also able to respond to unforeseen circumstances efficiently. With respect to languages, I am fluent in Shona, English and German. In addition, I am computer literate.
I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Yours faithfully,

Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college. In your letter: explain your situation. describe the accommodation you require. say when you will need it.
Model answer:
I am a 26-year-old farmer and agronomist from Pakistan, and I have been accepted to do/take/complete a one-month training course at Green mount Agricultural College starting next January.
I would be grateful if you could either find me accommodation for the month or give me a list of addresses which/that I could write to. I would like, if possible, to have rent/take/find a room in a family house because I would like the opportunity/chance to practice my English at the same time. I will need a room with a bed and a table so that I can study there also. If possible/available, I would prefer a room near the college since I will only be in Green mount for a short time and I will not have time to learn my way around.
I will need the accommodation for five weeks from 28th December to the 3rd February as I would like to arrive a few days before the course begins.
Could you also please tell me how much accommodation of this kind will cost and whether the price includes meals.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Personal letter
Marina has just started a new course at college and her tutor has asked her to write him a letter telling him something about herself.
Model answer:
Dear Tutor,
I have come to Brighton College from Singapore, where I was a student for ten years. I have already taken examinations in Singapore in English, Biology, Computer and Maths. My highest score was for Computer: I got grade A.
When I was a student in Singapore I also had a part-time job in a shop. My uncle owns a supermarket and so I helped him in the evenings. I worked / used to work there four nights a week and I think this was very good experience for me.
At the weekends, I usually played volleyball with friends or, if the weather was bad, we went / used to go to the theatre, which is very popular in Singapore. Because of my part-time job, I also spent a lot of time studying at the weekend.
I haven't been to many other places. My father took me to Thailand once. Three weeks after we returned he also went to Malaysia and took the whole family.
This is a brief description of my background.
Best wishes,

he development of Internet has triggered great changes for our life, along with that is the constant growth of information technology. Of all these breakthroughs, we are impossible to deny the fact that the development of Internet has brought a lot of benefits for society. However, the overuse of the Internet has given rise to quite a lot of serious problems associated with sedentary illnesses and family breakdowns. In this essay, I am going to discuss the main problems and solutions.

To begin with, it is clearly evident that sedentary illness, a typical 21st century illness, results from the overuse of Internet. A close look at the fact reveals that the majority of children waste too much time playing online games, chatting with friends or enjoying other entertainments. Consequently, they hardly have enough time for other important activities such as study, outdoor activities, sports…They are ruining their health indeed. In reality, the adults, similarly, work with computers every day, and then come home to relax via the Internet. It turns out to be a bad habit to use the Internet so much that it has negative effects on the Internet users themselves.

Another serious problem is that overusing Internet may lead to family breakdowns. In fact, when spending most of their time surfing Internet, the Internet users do not have enough time to get together with other family members. Then, it is no doubt that the lack of mutual understanding as well as sympathy may threaten the coziness of a family atmosphere. In a word, a family breakdown is unavoidable.

Honestly, I am convinced that learning how to avoid these problems is not so difficult. One good way is that Internet users should manage their time to use Internet properly. For example, they had better stand up and leave the computer once every 30 minutes so as to either ease their eyes or refresh their mind. Another way is that they should choose other types of relaxation rather than games on the computer. Especially, as for children, the adults should give them clear guidance how to use Internet scientifically and efficiently. In other words, it is advisable to spend time talking to them so as to show them how to avoid negative impacts on their health.

In conclusion, the widespread use of Internet may have both positive and negative impacts on our life. Hence, it is important that everyone should learn how to use internet the most effectively to reap the benefits rather than the drawbacks.