Category: General Writing Tests

Dear Ali,

I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to let you know that I’m selling some of my furniture, and I thought you might be interested in buying a few pieces. The main reason I’m selling is that I’m planning to redecorate my place with a new style and color scheme, so I’m parting ways with some items that no longer fit the new look.

The furniture I’m selling includes a comfortable three-seater sofa in a neutral beige color, perfect for any living room setup. It’s in excellent condition, as I’ve taken good care of it. Additionally, I have a sturdy wooden coffee table with a glass top that adds a touch of elegance. There’s also a beautiful bookshelf, which has plenty of space for books and decorative items.

If you’re interested, I’d love for you to come and take a look at the furniture. How about this Saturday afternoon? We can catch up over coffee and you can see if any of the pieces suit your style.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards,
Anwar

I think it is true that in almost every country today each household and family produces a large amount of waste every week. Most of this rubbish comes from the packaging from the things we buy, such as processed food. But even if we buy fresh food without packaging, we still produce rubbish from the plastic bags used everywhere to carry shopping home.

The reason why we have so much packaging is that we consume so much more on a daily basis than families did in the past. Convenience is also very important in modern life, so we buy packaged or canned food that can be transported from long distances and stored until we need it, first in the supermarket, and then at home.

However, I think the amount of waste produced is also a result of our tendency to use something once and throw it away. We forget that even the cheapest plastic bag has used up valuable resources and energy to produce. We also forget that it is a source of pollution and difficult to dispose of.

I think, therefore, that governments need to raise this awareness in the general public. Children can be educated about environmental issues at school, but adults need to take action. Governments can encourage such action by putting taxes on packaging, such as plastic bags, by providing recycling services and by fining households and shops that do not attempt to recycle their waste.

With the political will, such measures could really reduce the amount of rubbish we produce. Certainly nobody wants to see our resources used up and our planet poisoned by waste.

Dear Jennifer,

I am writing to request some unpaid leave next month.

My parents’ 60th wedding anniversary is on March 21st, and they are planning to celebrate this significant achievement with all their children and grandchildren. To do this, they have rented a house big enough to accommodate the whole family.

To participate in this special occasion, I would need to be away from work for four days, from Monday 19th to Thursday 23rd. My schedule for that week is relatively light, apart from two meetings with clients. Netta would be able to attend these in my place, as she has had previous dealings with both companies and knows the relevant staff there. I have no other urgent work commitments at that time.

I would be very grateful if you could allow me this time. These few days are very important to my parents and the whole family, and it would be a way to thank them for all the support they have given me.

Best wishes

Being a celebrity, such as a film star or sports personality, is often seen as highly desirable due to its numerous advantages. However, this status comes with significant challenges that, in many cases, outweigh the benefits.

The primary benefit of being a celebrity is financial gain. High earnings from their work, endorsements, and other ventures allow celebrities to enjoy luxurious lifestyles and financial security. This wealth provides access to the best services and experiences and the ability to influence social issues through philanthropy and public campaigns.

Public admiration is another significant advantage. Celebrities often receive respect and recognition, which can lead to personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement. This public adoration can help them build a lasting legacy and positively impact their fields.

Despite these benefits, the problems celebrities face are substantial. One major issue is the invasion of privacy. Celebrities often find their personal lives scrutinized and publicized without consent, leading to stress and anxiety. The lack of privacy can severely impact their mental health and personal relationships.

Additionally, the pressure to maintain a public image is immense. Celebrities are frequently held to high standards and criticized for any flaws or mistakes. This relentless scrutiny can lead to an unhealthy obsession with appearance and public perception, resulting in stress and sometimes harmful behavior.

The impact on personal relationships is another critical problem. The demands of a celebrity career and constant media intrusion often strain relationships with family and friends. Forming genuine connections becomes difficult as they must constantly question others’ motives.

In conclusion, while being a celebrity offers financial rewards and public admiration, the accompanying problems such as loss of privacy, intense pressure, and strained relationships often overshadow these benefits. The challenges of managing fame suggest that celebrity life is less enviable than it appears.

Dear Jenny,

I hope this finds you and your family well, and I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch recently. I’m writing now to let you know about my new job.

You remember that I was working for that construction company a few miles outside the city? Well, I just got so fed up with it – I was working really long hours and, to be honest, the pay wasn’t great. So basically I applied for a job at a new international company that was looking for admin staff for a new branch in the city centre.

I was a bit nervous in the interview, but in the end I got a job as one of the senior administrators. I am so happy! The pay is better, the working conditions are great and I don’t have to drive to work anymore.

Anyway, I have to stop now because my sister is staying with me and has brought my baby nephew to meet me. She sends you lots of love and is asking when we can all meet up. Soon, I hope.

With love,
Tina

Choosing between living in a house or an apartment is a significant decision influenced by various factors, including personal preferences and financial considerations. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages.

One primary advantage of living in a house is the increased space. Houses generally offer more room both indoors and outdoors, making them ideal for families. The private yard or garden that often accompanies a house provides opportunities for outdoor activities, gardening, and hosting gatherings. Additionally, houses offer more privacy and autonomy since there are no shared walls or common areas, reducing noise and allowing for greater freedom to make modifications to the property.

However, houses also come with notable disadvantages. The cost of purchasing and maintaining a house is typically higher than that of an apartment. Homeowners are responsible for all maintenance and repairs, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. For example, fixing a roof or maintaining a large garden requires significant effort and financial investment. Additionally, houses are often located in suburban areas, which might require longer commutes to work and amenities.

On the other hand, apartments offer several advantages, particularly in terms of convenience and accessibility. Many apartment complexes provide amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, and communal spaces, which are maintained by the property management. This saves residents the effort and cost associated with maintaining these facilities. Moreover, apartments are usually located in urban areas, offering easy access to public transportation, shops, and entertainment venues. Security is another benefit, as many apartments have security measures like gated entrances and surveillance systems.

In conclusion, both houses and apartments have their distinct advantages and disadvantages. Houses provide more space and privacy but come with higher costs and maintenance responsibilities. Apartments offer convenience, amenities, and better security but may lack the space and privacy some people desire. The choice ultimately depends on individual priorities and lifestyle needs.

Dear James,

I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you so much for sending the wonderful photos from our holiday last month. They brought back so many happy memories and made me smile. Your hospitality and the amazing time we had together will always be cherished.

I apologize for not writing to you sooner. Work has been quite hectic since I returned, and I’ve been trying to catch up with various tasks. However, please know that I’ve been thinking about our trip and wanted to express my gratitude for your kindness and the incredible experiences we shared.

I would love to repay your generosity and invite you to come and stay with me. It would be fantastic to show you around my city and spend some quality time together again. Please let me know when you might be available so we can plan a visit that works for everyone.

Once again, thank you for everything. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm regards,

Alison

I agree with the view that stars in the entertainment business are usually over paid. This is true whether we are considering stars of film, sport or popular music, and it often seems that the amount of money they are able to earn in a short time cannot possibly be justified by the amount of work they do.

However, it is also true that it is only those who reach the very top of their profession who can get these huge salaries. So the size of salary that stars expect is closely linked to the competition they have to overcome in order to reach success. They are, in effect, rare talents.
Furthermore, the majority of stars do not hold their top positions long. Sport stars and pop stars, for example, are soon replaced by the next younger, more energetic, generation, while the good looks of most film stars quickly fade. So this relatively short working life may be some justification for the very high pay.

Unfortunately, professionals from other fields, who make a much greater contribution to human society, are paid so much less that it is hard to disagree with the statement. Teachers, nurses, laboratory researchers etc. are never listed among the best-paid professionals, yet they are more important to our well-being and our future than the stars who earn their fortunes so quickly.

In conclusion, I think there may be some reasons why entertainment stars earn high salaries but overall ! agree that they are overpaid. The gaps between their earnings and those of people who work less selfishly for the good of society cannot be justified. Such professionals should be much better appreciated and better paid.

Dear Sir,

I am writing in reply to a letter I received from you a few days ago. In your letter you state that I am $240 overdrawn and that you will be charging me $70.

I would like to point out that the reason I am overdrawn is because of a mistake made by your bank. If you look through your records you will see that I wrote several weeks ago explaining the situation. For the last twelve months, I have been paying $300 a month for a car I bought last summer. The monthly payments were taken directly from my bank account. However, two months ago I sold the car and I wrote to you instructing you to stop paying the monthly instalments. I received a letter from you acknowledging my request, but, for some reason, nothing was done about it. Another $300 instalment has been paid this month and this is the reason why I am overdrawn.

I would like you to contact the garage where I bought the car explaining your error. I would also like you to ask them to return the money.

Yours faithfully,

P Stoft

Computers are a relatively new invention. The first computers were built fifty years ago and it is only in the last thirty or so years that their influence has affected our everyday life. Personal computers were introduced as recently as the early eighties. In this short time they have made a tremendous impact on our lives. We are now so dependent on computers that it is hard to imagine what things would be like today without them. You have only got to go into a bank when their main computer is broken to appreciate the chaos that would occur if computers were suddenly removed world-wide.

In the future computers will be used to create bigger and even more sophisticated computers. The prospects for this are quite alarming. They will be so complex that no individual could hope to understand how they work. They will bring a lot of benefits but they will also increase the potential for unimaginable chaos. They will, for example, be able to fly planes and they will be able to co ordinate the movements of several planes in the vicinity of an airport. Providing all the computers are working correctly nothing can go wrong. If one small program fails — disaster.

There is a certain inevitability that technology will progress and become increasingly complex. We should, however, ensure that we are still in a position where we are able to control technology. It will be all too easy to suddenly discover that technology is controlling us. By then it might be too late I believe that it is very important to be suspicious of the benefits that computers will bring and to make sure that we never become totally dependent on a completely technological world.