IELTS General Writing Task #4
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Tip: If you know the name of the person you are writing to, you should sign off with “Yours sincerely,”
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear …,
You are due to start a new job next week but you will not be able to because you have some problems.
Write a letter to your new employer. In your letter:
- explain your situation
- describe your problems
- tell him/her when you think you can start.
Dear Mrs Smith,
Further to our correspondence about me starting the position of Senior Technician on 5th April, I am afraid that I have to request to postpone this date. The reason for this request is due to injury.
As you may remember me telling you in the interview, I am a keen skier and had an amateur competition coming up. While practising for the competition, I unfortunately fell awkwardly fracturing my left wrist and right leg. Consequently, I am writing this from my hospital bed.
I would still like to start the job once I return to a state in which I can at least get myself to the office. The doctor expects that this will be at least 4 weeks, which makes a start date of 20th April more reasonable. If it would be possible to work remotely, I would be start at the previously agreed date.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
(158 words)
Useful Language
further to our correspondence – on the topic of previous letters/emails
I am afraid – a polite way to give bad news
to postpone – to move the date backwards
to fall awkwardly – to fall in a way that results in injury
to fracture – to break a bone
to work remotely – to work from home or away from the work location
