General Writing Sample Task 1 #57

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Exam Tip

Be careful with the spelling of the following words: graceful, sincerely, faithfully. Register is important when writing a letter. Make sure the language you use is not too informal if the letter is a very formal one, or too formal if the letter is to someone you know well.

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.
Alex Jones

(184 words)


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