Informal Letter Asking a Former Teacher for a Reference
A complete IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 question with a model answer of 211 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 20 minutes. Write at least 150 words.
You are applying for a university course (or a job) and would like to ask a former teacher to act as a referee. Write a letter to your former teacher. In your letter: - Reconnect and explain why you are writing - Describe what you are applying for and why - Politely request the reference and explain what is needed Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Ms Henderson,
How to approach it
- 01Use a warm, friendly opening that reconnects personally before getting to the request
- 02Open with 'Dear Ms Henderson,' and close with 'Best wishes,' since the tone is informal but respectful
- 03Cover all three bullet points clearly, ideally one paragraph per bullet
- 04Mention a specific shared memory or class to show genuine connection
- 05Be specific about logistics: what to write about, the format required, and the deadline
- 06Offer something in return such as a chance to meet in person, and thank them sincerely
Model answer
211 words in 6 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
Dear Ms Henderson,
I hope this letter finds you well. It has been almost three years since I left Greenfield High, and I often think back to your English Literature classes — I still remember how much fun we had analysing the Shakespeare plays in Year 12. I would love to hear how things are going at school.
The reason I am writing is that I am applying for a place on the BA English and Education programme at the University of Manchester, with the long-term aim of becoming a secondary school teacher. The application requires two academic references, and you are the first person who came to mind. Your encouragement during my A-levels played a huge part in my decision to pursue this path, and I would feel incredibly lucky to have your support.
Would you be willing to write a short reference covering my academic strengths and my involvement in the school's debating society? The university provides a simple online form, which I can send you the link to, and the deadline is 30 June.
Thank you so much for considering this. I would be delighted to come into school and tell you about my plans in person if that suits you. Please let me know.
Best wishes, Daniel Okafor
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 31 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
13 fewer than the median answer for this task type
4 words at the shortest, 36 at the longest
1 fewer than the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 17.6 words and vary by 10.5 words either side of that, running from 4 words to 36. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 5 of the 12 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
1 in total, spread across 1 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
since
Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 79 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 71 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 3 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Achievement
Address all three bullet points clearly and maintain a friendly yet purposeful tone throughout.
Coherence & Cohesion
Organise the letter with a warm opening, logical paragraphing, and an effective closing.
Lexical Resource
Use appropriately informal vocabulary, polite request forms, and natural collocations.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Demonstrate accurate use of polite question forms, modal verbs, and a mix of simple and complex structures.
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