Writing Task (go to Checklist)

Writing Paper Part 2. Task Type: A Letter of Application

Question

You have read the following information from a British university, and have decided to
apply for a course:

The university welcomes applications to all its courses from overseas students. Please
write to the Admissions Officer giving details of the course you wish to apply for and
why. Your letter should include an outline of your qualifications and any other
relevant information.
Write your letter of application to the Admissions Officer. (Around

220-260 words).

What you need to do to pass

Read our checklist first to understand what the examiner is
looking for in a good answer.
Ideas for writing

Ask yourself the following questions to help you get started:

What course are you going to apply for? You will have to invent the details (e.g.
about how long the course is, and whether it's full-time or part-time)
E.g. I'm writing to apply for your 3 year full-time degree in marketing...
Write down the reason why you want to apply for that subject.
E.g. I'm very keen to learn about marketing as this will help me to run the family
business when I graduate...
What are your current qualifications? What subjects have you specialised in up to
now? What is your level of English?
What other information are you going to give? (age? hobbies? special
achievements? work experience? the name of a tutor who can give you a
reference?)
The Admissions Officer might also be interested to know why you picked this
university.
E.g. I'm particularly keen to come to your university as it was recommended to
me by a friend...
How are you going to end the letter?

Drafting and proofreading your work

You should look at your first draft of the task and decide:

Have you answered all aspects of the question?

Is the layout and organisation appropriate?
Is the language accurate with a good range of structures?
Is the style appropriate and consistent?
Will it have a positive effect on the reader?

If the answer is 'no' to any of these questions then you will need to do some more
drafting!

(Exit)

Writing Paper: Part 2

Task type: Letter of Application
Question
You have read the following information from a British university, and have decided to
apply for a course:

The university welcomes applications to all its courses from overseas

students. Please write to the Admissions Officer giving details of the
course you wish to apply for and why. Your letter should include an
outline of your qualifications and any other relevant information.
Write your letter of application to the Admissions Officer. (220-260 words)

Answer
Click on the underlined words or phrases for comments. The numbers in brackets offer
suggestions. General feedback appears below the essay.

(Exit)

Writing Paper: Part 2

Task type: A letter of application
Question
A restaurant in your region is to open shortly and the owner has placed the following
advertisement in your local newspaper:
RESTAURANT STAFF NEEDED...

...For a busy restaurant located in the main

tourist area of this region. We have a number of
vacancies available, including:
Junior Chef
Waiter/Waitress
Restaurant Manager
Hours of work: 6 - 12pm, Mondays to
Saturdays.
Please send us a letter explaining which post
you are interested in and why we should
consider you for the job. Interviews will be
held a week after the closing date.
Write the letter of application (220-260 words).

Answer
Click on the underlined words or phrases for comments. The numbers in brackets offer
suggestions. General feedback appears below the essay.

Name: Olga
Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing with reference to your advertisement for the position of a Restaurant

Manager, which was placed in The Guardian on 10 December.{1}

Name: Jolanta P.
CAE Student, Poland
Dear Mr. Admission Officer {1},
I am writing to apply for your two year degree in teaching English at university
level. At present I am a teacher of English and of the {***} Computer Science in the
primary school here, in Lutynia.
I am keen to improve my English as this is not only my hobby but also a strong
need. In addition, I feel half-way to achieve the goal {2} . Ten years ago I was a
university teacher of Computer Science and things went great but I lived with my
family in the Hotel for Scientist. The present school offered me a flat in a small
house surrounded by gardens and a garage for taking the position of a teacher
{3}. Up to now, I have specialized in the both subjects. I graduated {***} {4}
Technical University of Wroclaw, Department of Foreign Languages and the
Academy of Economics, Department of Computer Science with {***} {5} Master {6}
degree.
{7}Three yeas ago I was in America where I translated the film makers {8}. I have
worked for three years as a Polish teacher for UNESCO. Moreover, I translate a
lot {9} for doctors, scientists, computer programmers and travel guides. At present,
I am preparing for the CAE exam so that my English is at the advanced level, I
guess {10}.
I am particularly interested in completing {***} {11}your university as it is famous all
over the word. I you wish Ms.J.Forde can give you the {12} reference.
I hope you will give my application serous consideration and look forward to
hearing from you. {***}
Yours faithfully
Jolanta Pietraszko

Feedback
This letter has been organised appropriately. Most of the points made are
relevant to the task. For this makeover I have concentrated on the following
points:
1. Spelling - there are a number of typing errors. This is natural but it
highlights the importance of proofreading work carefully in the exam so you
don't lose marks unnecessarily.
2. Articles.
3. Register. These types of letter require a fairly formal register so you need
to avoid expressions that might sound too casual to the reader.
Best of luck in the exam!
Fiona Joseph
7.11.00

Exit
Other Answers
Ahmed, Bournville College, Birmingham, England

F.A.O.
The Admission Officer
The University of Birmingham
Bristol Road
Birmingham B29
16 October, 00
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Degree in Marketing
iam writing to apply for your 3 years full time degree in marketing.
Iam very keen to learn about marketing as this will help me to run our
business when I finish my degree.
I am 20 years old and studying English at Bournville College. I
finished my high school in 1999, and had good mark in maths and
science.
To add some information about my English level, I passed the FCE six
months ago and I will give the CAE in two weeks time.
My hobbies are readingh and swimming. I worked as shop assistant for
6 month.

Mrs Fay as my tutor will be happy to be as reerence my application.

I am wondering to know if the CAE is axceptable by the University.
I am particulary keen to come to your University as it was
recommended to me by a friend who was studying there last year.
If there are something more you want to know, I will be happy to
provid you information.
I look forward to hearing from you.
your sincerly
Ahmed Nasari

Exit
Other Answers
Chiara Rabbiosi, British Council - Milan

Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to you to apply for your 3 years full-time degree in
Biotechnology, beginning on 10th Dec. 2000.
The reason why I am interested in this course is that I want to take part
in the big debate about genetically modified food as well as clonation,
which are so discussed today. As these issues are strictly connected
with the future of the whole humanity, I feel deeply involved and I
wish to bring my own contribution to this scientific revolution.
I attended a 5 years High School specialised on scientific subjects
(Liceo Scientifico) and my final exam (final mark: 98/100) focused on
how modified soya crops could help in banning certain deseases in the
third world countries. I have no working experience but as my High
School plan of studies involved, I had the possibility of taking part to a
4-weeks training session in a chemical factory in Milan. I especially
practiced on chemical reactions on vegetable textiles.If you wish to
have better information, you can contact Mr Fotnari (tel. 00 39
6457899 - High School teacher) or Mrs Flavi (tel. 00 39 02 5647869
-Students' Responsible at La Roche Factory). They will be glad to help

you.
As my level of English concerns, I passed the First Certificate Exam in
May '99 (Mark B) and I spent this summer 2 weeks in the United
States.
I wish particularly to be accepted by your university as it is widely
known for its scientific research department.
So I wish that you can satisfy my request of application and I am
looking forward to receiving a positive answer from you followed by
all the details and sheets to apply.
Yours faithfully,
Chiara Rabbiosi