Tips
In this task, a prompt poses a problem or describes a situation that requires a written response in letter format. For example, you may be required to write a letter to an imaginary person such as a friend or a teacher, or it may be a formal letter to a stranger or an official. You are required to use informal, semi-formal or formal writing styles. The style you choose will depend on your relationship to the target reader. Bullet points in the task instructions outline what should be included in the letter.
The task requires you to:
- respond appropriately to a task
- show familiarity with letter-writing styles,
- include the information highlighted in the bullet points
- use appropriate and accurate language
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Last Wednesday you flew from London to Vancouver. When you arrived home, you discovered that you had left your hand luggage on the plane.
Write a letter to the airline. In your letter, you should explain:
- where and when you lost your bag
- what your bag looks like
- what its contents were
Write at least 150 words.
Model answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to report lost property. It seems that I left my hand luggage on one of your flights. Last Wednesday, November 22nd, I flew from London to Vancouver on LB118 and took my hand luggage with me. I put it in the overhead bin. Unfortunately, after the long flight, I must have forgotten it on the plane.
It’s a blue hand luggage on wheels. It has one outside pockets and is locked with a small lock. I had all of my school work and books in it. I also had a new jacket in it. I had just received it as a gift from my grandmother in London.
As you can imagine, these items are very important to me. Please let me know if you have my hand luggage and how I can get it back. Write to me at my return address or email: ana(at)feldman.ca
I’m looking forward to your reply.
Many thanks,
Ana Feldman
(162 words)