Task 1 (20m): 20:00
task 1 general • formal_letterMinimum 150 words (20 mins)
You recently travelled on a long-distance train and left an important personal item behind. Write a letter to the rail company's lost property department. In your letter:
- Describe your journey and where you were seated
- Describe the item and what is inside it
- Explain why the item is important and what action you want them to take.
General Training Letter Structure Checklist:
- •Salutation: Formal (Dear Sir or Madam) vs Informal (Dear Mark).
- •Purpose: State why you are writing in the opening paragraph.
- •Bullet Points: Address all 3 requirement bullet points equally.
- •Sign-off: Yours faithfully (unknown name) vs Yours sincerely (named).
Band 8–9 Vocabulary Assistant
Context Searchincrease(grow, rise, go up)
Collocations:
• experience a marked increase
• exponential surge
• rapid proliferation
decrease(fall, drop, decline)
Collocations:
• precipitous decline
• gradual contraction
• significant diminution
problem(issue, trouble, difficulty)
Collocations:
• formidable challenge
• pressing dilemma
• insurmountable impediment
important(key, main, vital)
Collocations:
• of paramount importance
• pivotal role
• categorical imperative
show(display, reveal, indicate)
Collocations:
• clearly illustrates
• serves to exemplify
• empirically corroborates
change(difference, shift)
Collocations:
• profound transformation
• structural shift
• paradigm change
help(assist, support)
Collocations:
• facilitate progress
• bolster economic growth
• foster collaboration
think(believe, feel)
Collocations:
• firmly contend that
• many scholars postulate
• critics assert
big(large, huge)
Collocations:
• substantial proportion
• profound implications
• extensive ramifications
bad(harmful, damaging)
Collocations:
• detrimental impact
• deleterious consequences
• highly adverse effects
Academic Linking Phrases
Concession & Contrast
Cause & Consequence
Exemplification
Conclusion & Synthesis
⚠️ Under Target: 0 / 150 words