This is an IELTS writing task 1 letter from the real general training exam on the topic of arranging a presentation at a conference with a colleague.

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Dave

IELTS Essay: Letter to a Colleague

You want to arrange a conference for your company, and you need to ask one of your colleagues to give a presentation in this conference.

Write a letter to your colleague. In your letter include:

Details about the conference

Why you want your colleague to give presentation

What arrangement will you do for this conference

Hi Donald,

I’m writing because we didn’t get a chance to talk after work on Friday and I need a favour. The conference I’ve been planning is coming up next week (on the topic of ‘The Use of Technology in Modern Education’ in case you forgot). It will take place at the Gem Plaza on the 23rd beginning at 10:30 in the morning.

One of our scheduled panelists on the benefits of incorporating social media had to cancel due to Covid-19 restrictions and my mind immediately turned to you. You’re an expert about these apps in your personal life but I’ve also noticed how you try to integrate social media platforms into your lessons. You would be part of the panel but no preparation is necessary.

If you accept, then we will arrange for a taxi to pick you up for the conference at 9:30 am. We will provide a speaker’s fee for the day and there is a ceremony after the event during which we will have dinner and you are of course invited.

Please let me know if you would like to take part in this conference.

Regards,

Dave

Analysis

1. Hi Donald,

2. I’m writing because we didn’t get a chance to talk after work on Friday and I need a favour. 3. The conference I’ve been planning is coming up next week (on the topic of ‘The Use of Technology in Modern Education’ in case you forgot). 4. It will take place at the Gem Plaza on the 23rd beginning at 10:30 in the morning.

  1. Address the letter to someone.
  2. Include your purpose for writing.
  3. Add in some more detail if you want.
  4. Keep adding detail for a higher task achievement score.

1. One of our scheduled panelists on the benefits of incorporating social media had to cancel due to Covid-19 restrictions and my mind immediately turned to you. 2. You’re an expert about these apps in your personal life but I’ve also noticed how you try to integrate social media platforms into your lessons. 3. You would be part of the panel but no preparation is necessary.

  1. Begin to develop the first point.
  2. Add more detail to it.
  3. Keep developing it.

1. If you accept, then we will arrange for a taxi to pick you up for the conference at 9:30 am. 2. We will provide a speaker’s fee for the day and there is a ceremony after the event during which we will have dinner and you are of course invited.

3. Please let me know if you would like to take part in this conference.

4. Regards,

5. Dave

  1. Develop the last point.
  2. Keep developing it.
  3. Finish developing it.
  4. Write a goodbye statement.
  5. Write your name at the end.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean?

Hi Donald,

I’m writing because we didn’t get a chance to talk after work on Friday and I need a favour. The conference I’ve been planning is coming up next week (on the topic of ‘The Use of Technology in Modern Educationin case you forgot). It will take place at the Gem Plaza on the 23rd beginning at 10:30 in the morning.

One of our scheduled panelists on the benefits of incorporating social media had to cancel due to Covid-19 restrictions and my mind immediately turned to you. You’re an expert about these apps in your personal life but I’ve also noticed how you try to integrate social media platforms into your lessons. You would be part of the panel but no preparation is necessary.

If you accept, then we will arrange for a taxi to pick you up for the conference at 9:30 am. We will provide a speaker’s fee for the day and there is a ceremony after the event during which we will have dinner and you are of course invited.

Please let me know if you would like to take part in this conference.

Regards,

Dave

Answers

get a chance to talk have an opportunity to chat with

favour help

coming up upcoming

Modern Educationin case you forgot related to new ideas in education in the event you don’t remember

take place happening

in the morning am

scheduled panelists people who will speak / speakers

incorporating combining

cancel due to Covid-19 restrictions not happen because of travel limits

my mind immediately turned to you I thought of you right away

expert professional

apps applications

personal life private life

integrate combine

platforms Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.

be part of join in

panel group of speakers

preparation getting ready for

necessary needed

arrange set up

pick you up give you a ride

provide a speaker’s fee pay you money to join in

ceremony event

invited asked to come

please let me know if you would like to tell me if you can

regards sincerely

Pronunciation

gɛt ə ʧɑːns tuː tɔːk 
ˈfeɪvə
ˈkʌmɪŋ ʌp 
ˈmɒdən ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən ɪn keɪs juː fəˈgɒt
teɪk pleɪs 
ɪn ðə ˈmɔːnɪŋ
ˈʃɛdjuːld ˈpænlɪsts 
ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪtɪŋ 
ˈkænsəl djuː tuː ˈkəʊvɪd-19 rɪsˈtrɪkʃənz 
maɪ maɪnd ɪˈmiːdiətli tɜːnd tuː juː
ˈɛkspɜːt 
æps 
ˈpɜːsnl laɪf 
ˈɪntɪgreɪt 
ˈplætfɔːmz 
biː pɑːt ɒv 
ˈpænl 
ˌprɛpəˈreɪʃən 
ˈnɛsɪsəri
əˈreɪnʤ 
pɪk juː ʌp 
prəˈvaɪd ə ˈspiːkəz fiː 
ˈsɛrɪməni 
ɪnˈvaɪtɪd
pliːz lɛt miː nəʊ ɪf juː wʊd laɪk tuː 
rɪˈgɑːdz

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

Hi Donald,

I’m writing because we didn’t g________________________k after work on Friday and I need a f_________r. The conference I’ve been planning is c____________p next week (on the topic of ‘The Use of Technology in M________________ni________________________t). It will t_______________e at the Gem Plaza on the 23rd beginning at 10:30 i_______________g.

One of our s_____________________s on the benefits of i_________________g social media had to c__________________________s and m_____________________________u. You’re an e_________t about these a_____s in your p________________e but I’ve also noticed how you try to i___________e social media p___________s into your lessons. You would b_____________f the p_________l but no p___________n is n______________y.

If you accept, then we will a_________e for a taxi to p____________p for the conference at 9:30 am. We will p____________________e for the day and there is a c_______________y after the event during which we will have dinner and you are of course i__________d.

P_____________________________________o take part in this conference.

R_________s,

Dave

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/pre-intermediate-a2/an-email-to-ask-a-colleague-to-do-something

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Work (Model answer available on my Patreon)

  1. Do you work or are you a student?
  2. Do you like your current job?
  3. In the future, do you want to change jobs?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Your friend is going to stay in your apartment while you are away. Write a letter to your friend and include:

Where the key is

Instructions to look after the apartment

What should he/ she do on the day of your return

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