General Training Writing Task 1 · semi-formal · request

Requesting a job reference from a former university lecturer

You are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at college.

Write a letter to one of your old teachers asking for a reference. In your letter:

say what job you have applied for
explain why you want this job
suggest what information the teacher should include

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

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Professor Higgins,

I hope this email finds you well. It has been several years since I completed my degree in Business Administration under your guidance, and I still fondly recall your insightful lectures on organisational behaviour.

I am currently applying for a Junior Project Manager position at Zenith Logistics. This role represents a significant career milestone for me, as the company is renowned for its innovative approach to sustainable supply chain management. Given my academic background, this position aligns perfectly with my professional goals and my desire to contribute to environmentally conscious business practices.

As you were my academic advisor, I was hoping you might be willing to provide a letter of reference. It would be incredibly helpful if you could comment on my academic performance, my ability to meet strict deadlines, and my collaborative skills during our group research projects. Your perspective on my analytical capabilities would certainly carry significant weight with the hiring committee.

I understand that you have a busy schedule, so I appreciate you considering this request. Please let me know if you require any further information or a copy of my current CV to assist you.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Thorne

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

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with a professional, coherent tone and specific, relevant details. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to explain why the specific job is desired, often providing a generic statement instead of a convincing personal rationale.

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

fondly: With affection or in a pleasant, nostalgic way.
milestone: An important stage or event in development.
renowned: Known or talked about by many people; famous.
aligns: Comes into line or agreement with something else.
analytical: Relating to the logical examination of complex information.
carry weight: To be considered important, influential, or persuasive.

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.