General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · request

Requesting a job reference from a former teacher

You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference.

Write a letter to a former teacher. In your letter:

give details about the job
why it is important to you
suggest what information your teacher could put in the reference

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Mr. Harrison,

I hope you are keeping well. I am currently applying for a junior research position at the Global Environmental Institute, and as you were my supervisor during my final year project, I am writing to kindly ask if you would be willing to provide a letter of reference for me.

This position is a significant step in my career, as the Institute focuses on sustainable urban planning, which is a field I am deeply passionate about. Securing this role would allow me to contribute to meaningful environmental policy research, which has been my primary goal since graduating.

If you feel comfortable recommending me, it would be incredibly helpful if you could highlight my analytical skills and the dedication I demonstrated while completing my thesis. Additionally, mentioning my ability to work collaboratively within a team would be highly beneficial, as this is a key requirement for the role. I have attached my updated CV for your convenience.

I understand that you have a busy schedule, so please let me know if you require any further information. Thank you very much for your time and support.

Best wishes,

Julian Thorne

191 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response addresses all three bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a professional and polite semi-formal tone throughout. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide enough specific context regarding the job or the exact information needed in the reference, resulting in a vague or overly brief letter.

Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
Polite and friendly at once: a few contractions are fine, slang is not. Close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
State the purpose in the first two sentences; small talk costs words you need for the bullets.

Useful phrases from the letter

supervisor: a person who manages or oversees a project
sustainable: able to be maintained at a certain level
analytical: relating to the systematic analysis of information
demonstrated: clearly shown the existence or truth of something
collaboratively: produced by two or more people working together
convenience: a state that allows something to happen easily

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS General writing

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Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?

Semi-formal. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.

How long should an IELTS General Training letter be?

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.