1.投诉信LETTER OF COMPLAINT

TASK 1: You live in a room in a college where you share with another student. You find it very difficult to work there because your roommate always has friends visiting. He/She has parties in the room and sometimes borrows your things without asking you.

Write a letter to the Accommodation Officer at the college and ask for a new room next term. You would prefer a single room. Explain your reasons. 

2.询问信LETTER OF INQUIRY

TASK 2: As part of a student social survey project, you are organizing a group to visit a historical exhibition in a small town. Write a letter asking for information regarding such things as the contents of the exhibition, and the dates of its opening and closing, and if there are any discounts available. 

3.请求信LETTER OF REQUEST

TASK 3: Your find that your study load is too heavy. Write a letter to your college teacher explaining why you need to withdraw from two courses. Ask if it is possible to obtain a refund. 

4.道歉信LETTER OF APOLOGY

TASK 4: One of your pen pals will shortly be visiting your city. For some reasons, you can not manage to meet him at the airport on time.

Write a letter asking him to wait for you at the airport and tell him how to identify you. 

5.感谢信LETTER OF THANKS

TASK 5: After being involved in an accident, you were looked after by another person. Write a special letter to express your thanks. 

6.建议信LETTER OF SUGGESTION

TASK 6: You have a friend who is about to enter university, and he wants you to advise him on which subject to specialize in – history, in which he is very interested, or computer science, which offers better job prospects. 

7.求职信LETTER OF JOB APPLICATION

TASK 7: You want to apply for the following job. Write a letter to Mr. Moore describing your previous experience and explaining why you would be suitable for the job.

Waiter/waitress required for evening work. Some experience necessary. 

8.推荐信LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

TASK 8: One of your friends wants to apply for a job involving working with foreign teenagers. Write a letter of recommendation for him/her. 

9.自我介绍信LETTER OF SELF-INTRODUCTION

TASK 9: You are writing your first letter to a pen pal. Describe your previous studies and work experience, your current activities, hobbies and interests. Tell your pen pal that you will be visiting him/her. 

10.寻找失物信LETTER OF LOST ITEMS

TASK 10: You have just spent a weekend staying at the Lilo Hotel in Adelaide. When you get home you find that you have left a bag at the hotel.

Write to the manager of the hotel and enquire whether the bag has been found. Give any relevant information about the bag and its contents. Ask the manager to contact you immediately if the bag is found and tell him/her how the bag can be sent to you. 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 1:

Dear Sir or Madam, 

I am writing to inform you that I wish to move into a new room next term. I would prefer a single room, as I find the present sharing arrangement inconvenient. 

I must explain that the reason for my dissatisfaction is my roommate’s inconsiderate behavior. For one thing, his friends are constantly visiting him, for another, he regularly holds noisy parties. In addition, he sometimes borrows my things without asking me. In these circumstances, I find it difficult to concentrate on my studies, and I am falling behind in my assignments. 

I am sure you will agree that the only solution is for me to move into a room of my own, where I will be free from such distractions. Therefore, I would be grateful if you could find a single room for me, preferably not in the same building but as near to the college campus as possible. 

Yours sincerely, 

Janice Kennedy 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 2:

Dear Sir, 

I am organizing a group of students to pay a visit to the historical exhibition in your town. This visit will be part of our school’s activities to encourage the students to take part in social surveys. Therefore, I would be grateful if you could supply me with the following information. 

First of all, what are the dates between which the exhibition will be held, and what the daily opening hours? Secondly, what is the size of the exhibition, what is its theme and what objects are on display? Thirdly, are there any other activities being held in connection with the exhibition? 

I must point out that I hope to bring over students to the exhibition. So I would like to inquire if there is any discount available on entrance tickets for students. If so, how much is the discount and what is the minimum number of students necessary to quality for it? 

I look forward to your reply. 

Yours sincerely, 

George Moore 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 3:

Dear Prof. James, 

I am writing to formally request to withdraw from two courses: Introduction to Elementary Education (EDU602) and Teaching Methods (EDU 619) 

The main reason for reducing my course load is that I am finding it extremely difficult to manage six courses. In the beginning of the term, I was perhaps overly optimistic about juggling both my full time studies and my part time job (20 hours/week). Because I really must work part time, I have no other choice but to decrease my course load. I am planning on taking the two courses during the summer semester, if they are available, so that I will be able to complete all the courses for the degree program by the following year. 

I would also like to request a tuition refund, and hope I am not too late to receive the full reimbursement. I am sorry for any inconveniences I have caused by this change in plans. This decision was not taken lightly, and I do appreciate the kind consideration you have shown to me. 

Thank you for your attention to these requests. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 277-9144. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Sincerely yours, 

Jane Carter 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 4:

Dear Mary, 

I am very much looking forward to your visit to my city. Just think: after all these years to writing to each other, we will finally have the chance to meet! However, I regret to inform you that I will not be able to meet you at the airport as soon as you arrive. 

The reason is that your flight will arrive early in the morning, and the quickest time I can get to the airport will be about an hour after you land. Please wait for me in the arrival lounge. You should be able to have breakfast there while you wait. 

By the way, as we have never met I must tell you how to recognize me: I am of medium height and have a small mustache. In addition, I will be carrying a copy of the morning newspaper tucked under my left arm. 

Looking forward to our first meeting. 

Yours sincerely, 

Harry 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 5:

Dear John, 

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude. I am referring to that unfortunate accident the other day, when I was knocked off my bike by a taxi. If it had not been for your timely assistance in giving me first aid and taking me to a nearby hospital, I fear that the consequences might have been much more serious. 

The doctor says that my broken leg is healing well, and the bruises and cuts I suffered will soon be completely better. In addition, the taxi company has agreed to pay my hospital bills. Everyone agrees that it was your quick-witted response in that emergency that has lead to this satisfactory outcome. 

Although nowadays many people talk about the need to be unselfish and to help others, we see very few people practicing what they preach. But you showed by your selfless action that you are an exception. If there were more people like you, this world would be a much nicer place. 

Yours sincerely, 

Ted 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 6:

Dear John, 

You have asked me for my advice concerning whether you should study history or computer science at university, and I will try to make some useful suggestions. 

You must keep in mind that, above all, your university training is a preparation for your future career. Therefore, your first consideration should be to study a subject which will best equip you to earn a living. There is no doubt that the field of computers offers far wider job opportunities than history. 

Besides, we are now in the age of the high-technology revolution. For the foreseeable future, not only will it be necessary for everyone to be computer-literate, it will also be necessary for them to be equipped with computer skills merely to earn a living! History, I’m afraid, however fascinating it may be, offers few career prospects. 

Of course, you don’t have to devote all your time at university to studying computers and nothing else. On the contrary, I would recommend that you keep your reading of history in your spare time. That way, you will find that your leisure hours are enriched while you prepare yourself for a worthwhile career in computers. 

Yours sincerely, 

James 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 7:

Dear Mr. Moore, 

Re: Waitress position 

I am writing to express my interest in your recently advertised position for a waitress. Enclosed with this letter is my resume, which further details of my previous experience and qualifications. 

Not only do my qualifications and work experience make me a perfect candidate for the job, my personality is well suited to working as a waitress. I am a very friendly person who can quickly establish rapport with people of all ages. In my last waitress job, I had over a dozen repeat customers each day. And, the fast-paced environment of waiting on tables suits me well, because I thrive on working under pressure. In fact, my former boss was surprised at both my incredible stamina and efficiency in dealing with customers’ orders. 

I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience, to discuss the possibility of working at your restaurant. I can be reached at 463-9234 during the days and 924-6868 after 6 pm. 

Thank you for your consideration of my application. I look forward to meeting you in the near future. 

Yours sincerely, 

Martha Scott 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 8:

Dear Sir or Madam, 

I have learned from your newspaper advertisement that your center is organizing an international summer camp for overseas teenagers, and you are looking for a bilingual assistant tutor to work with the children. I am writing to you to recommend one of my best friends, Helen Wang, for this post. 

Helen used to be my classmate at Beijing Normal University, where she was already a very active organizer and participant in extracurricular activities. With her outstanding leadership skills and cheerful personality, she was elected chairperson of the Student Union several times. 

Busy as she was, she passed the College English Test Band Six and completed her major – teenage psychology – with an excellent school record. Upon graduation she was assigned to be a teacher in an international high school in Beijing, where she has been teaching bilingual lessons for five years. What’s more, she loves her job and enjoys working with children. This has won her great popularity among her students. 

Therefore, I do not hesitate to recommend her as an ideal candidate for the post you advertised. I am sure you will make a wise decision in hiring her. 

Sincerely yours, 

Victor Li 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 9:

Dear Monica, 

Hi! My name is Jane Zhang, and I obtained your name and address from Pen Pals International. I am very glad to have this chance to write to you and become pen pals. 

Let me first introduce myself. I’m currently working as a computer programmer in a large multi-national company. I graduated from Tsinghua University with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science in July 1996. While I enjoy my current job, I’m interested in pursuing a Master’s degree, and hope to begin graduate studies next September. My hobbies include listening to pop music (especially U2), playing the piano and erhu ( a Chinese instrument), and playing tennis. I’m also very interested in travelling, and have visited every province in Chinese at least once. 

This summer, I will be travelling with my mother to California. She will be attending a history conference at the University of California-Berkeley, and I have just received permission to go with her. We will stay in California for a total of 2 weeks – from August 2^nd to 16^th, 1999. If you are free, I would be very happy to meet you in person. Perhaps we could spend a day or two together. 

Well, let me finish here. I am already eagerly awaiting your reply to this first letter. Please tell me all about yourself and your interests. I hope that we can become good friends. 

Yours truly, 

Michael 

SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 10:

Dear Mr. Simpson, 

I stayed in your hotel on the 23^rd and 24^th of October. I was in Room 603. When I arrived home, I discovered that I had left one of my bags at the hotel. Could you please check your Lost and Found Department and see if my bag is there? 

The bag is a small black leather, document case with a narrow strap. Inside the bag, you will find several business cards, a fountain pen, a small address book, three copies of a business proposal and a silver pocket calculator. These things are not very valuable in money terms, but they have a lot of personal value. 

I would appreciate it if you could contact me as soon as possible, particularly since I need the proposals for a presentation this week. If you could send the bag to me by courier service, I would be most grateful. I have arranged to pay for the service. 

Thank you for your help. 

Yours sincerely, 

Michael Johnson

IELTS考试写作TASK 2

　　1. 讨论类DISCUSS
　　TASK 1: It has been more than 30 years since man first landed on the moon. Some people think that space research is a waste of money. Discuss.
　　2. 问题+理由+建议类(Problems + Reasons + Recommendations)
　　TASK 2: It is generally acknowledged that families are now not as close as they used to be. Give possible reasons and your recommendations.
　　3. 你的观点类(Your Opinion)
　　TASK 3: Many people think that nowadays people are being subjected to more and more pressure in their work, and thus are having less and less time to relax.
　　What is your opinion?
　　4. 你同意与否类（Agree or disagree）
　　TASK 4: It is often said that the subjects taught in schools are too academic in orientation and that it would be more useful for children to learn about practical matters such as home management, work and interpersonal skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
　　5. 优点和缺点类（Advantages and disadvantages）
　　TASK 5: With the increasing popularity of computers and calculators, student literacy is decreasing dramatically. What are the positive and negative effects the progress of science and technology has brought about?

　　SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 1:
　　For over fifty years, a number of nations have been involved in the exploration of outer space. This research has been very costly, of course. Has this money been well-spent or wasted?
　　Some people believe that all or most space research should be eliminated because of its incredible expense, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of scientific and human resources. These people point out the fact that it cost billions of dollars to send astronauts to the moon, but all they brought back were some worthless rocks. These people say that the money and effort now being wasted in outer space could be spent for homeless people, improving the education system, saving the environment, and finding cures for diseases.
　　However, other people believe that space research has provided many benefits to mankind. They point out that hundreds of useful products, from personal computers to heart pacemakers to freeze-dried foods, are the direct or indirect results of space research. They say that weather and communication satellites, which are also products of space programs, have benefited people all over the globe. In addition to these practical benefits, supporters of the space program point to the scientific knowledge that has been acquired about the sun, the moon, the planets and even our own earth as a result of space research.
　　I agree with those people who support space research and want it to continue. Space research, as shown, has already brought many benefits to humanity. Perhaps it will bring even more benefits in the future, ones that we can not even imagine now. Moreover, just as individual people need challenges to make their lives more interesting, I believe the human race itself needs a challenge, and I think that the peaceful exploration of outer space provides just such a challenge.

　　SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 2:
　　There is much discussion nowadays as to whether or not the relation-ship between family members is as close as before. Diverse contributing factors can be identified. In the following, I would like to present my point of view.
　　Great changes have taken place in family life along with the development of society. One of them is that the once-extended family tends to become smaller and smaller. Many children have to leave their parents at an early age to study or work elsewhere. As time passes, children become emotionally estranged from their parents.
　　Compared with the past, social competition is becoming increasingly fierce. People are urged to concentrate their efforts upon work, so that they can achieve success, or at least a good standard of living. As a result, they can’t afford to spend their leisure hours with their families. The importance of bonds of kinship is gradually fading from their minds.
　　In addition, the availability of various kinds of recreational facilities also diverts people from enjoying chats with the members of their families. Their free time is mostly occupied by watching TV, surfing the Internet or playing video games. They come to lose interest in communicating with the other members of their families.
　　In view of such alienation within families, urgent steps must be taken, in my opinion. For members of families who live away from one another, regular contact on the phone can bring them the care that they need. Family reunions on holidays or other important occasions can make a difference as well. For those living together, it is a good idea to take some time off work or recreation periods to spend more time with each other. In the final analysis, a close family relationship can surely be maintained as long as we realize the significant role it plays in our lives and attach importance to it.

　　SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 3:
　　In modern society, especially in big cities, undoubtedly hard work has become a very important feature of ordinary people’s everyday life. It seems that many people are under the impression that their work is becoming more pressing and urgent, and thus they sacrifice more and more leisure time.
　　In the first place, with the rapid development of science and technology, work today is more demanding than it used to be. For example, college graduates nowadays have to master English, computer science and driving skills before they can find decent jobs. People have to spend more time acquiring new techniques and skills. And their spare time tends to be fully occupied, not with leisure pursuit, but with work-related pursuits.
　　In the second place, competition is becoming more intense. Many people feel anxious that they may be “laid-off” if they can’t work as hard as others. And they also feel at a disadvantage before new graduates. Therefore, it is understandable that people keep themselves involved in intensely hard work in order to preserve their positions.
　　In my opinion, the worst aspect of this phenomenon is that the huge pressure of work will gradually affect people’s mental health. Excessively hard work means that people can never get rid of the fatigue of their work, even in their leisure time. This means that they can not enjoy a normal life.
　　In a word, in modern society overwork is stealing our leisure time. however, I believe this problem will be settled eventually with the development of science and technology.

　　SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 4:
　　A criticism often heard these days is that the subjects taught in schools tend to be too academic, and contribute little to preparing a young person for the real-life tasks he or she will have to perform after graduation. They say that academic subjects are rooted in the past, and are not useful for solving modern problems. I disagree with this point of view for three reasons.
　　My first reason is that it is the duty of parents, not teachers, to prepare their children to deal with the practical affairs of life. The home, not the classroom, is the ideal place to learn about home management and interpersonal skills. As for work abilities and attitudes, they are best learned “on the job ”and under the supervision of an experienced older worker.
　　My second reason is that academic subjects have withstood the test of time. They represent the accumulated wisdom of our ancestors down through the ages, and, far from being impractical, they equip us with the knowledge and confidence to make sound judgements about any problems which may crop up. In addition, academic subjects are good for training us in mental discipline, while practical subjects are weak in this regard.
　　My third reason is based on the saying “Man does not live by bread alone.” Schooldays devoted solely to instruction in down-to-earth practical matters would be dull indeed! Lessons in the best literature of the world, and the epoch-making scientific and geographical discoveries of the past enrich our lives and make us feel that we are part of the great family of mankind.
　　All in all, the teaching of academic subjects in schools is entirely appropriate. It is my firmly held view that practical subjects have no place in the classroom. On the contrary, the curriculum should be more academic!

　　SAMPLE ANSWER TO TASK 5:
　　It has been widely noted that, with the growing use of computers and calculators both in the classroom and in the home, the level of literacy and mathematical ability of students is dropping. This raises serious doubts about the value of the progress of science and technology. Here I will discuss the pros and cons of this question.
　　First of all, advances in science and technology have certainly brought about many benefits for mankind. They have made our lives more comfortable and healthier. In addition, they have eased the burden of work for most people and provided them with more leisure opportunities, while at the same time increasing productivity dramatically.
　　Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that technology has some negative side-effects. As mentioned above, with computers which check spelling, grammar and calculation for them, students have little incentive to learn how to do these things for themselves. Also, the availability of TV programs and videos encourages an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle.
　　Another aspect of this issue is that technology may be good or bad, depending on how we use it. For instance, dynamite may be used to make road construction easier, or it may be used to kill people. Again, nuclear reactors can supply huge amounts of cheap electricity, but if they are carelessly handled they can cause devastating pollution.
　　We can conclude that the progress of science and technology has both positive and negative effects. What we must do is to make sure that the positive ones are encouraged and the negative ones are eliminated as far as possible. Among other things, this means that students are warned not to let computers and calculators do all their work for them.