You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
A friend of yours is applying for a job, and you have been asked to write a recommendation letter for them.
Write a letter to the employer. In your letter include:
- Your relationship with your friend
- Why your friend is suitable for the job
- Details of your friend’s skills and experiences
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you in support of my friend, Pauline Fraser, who has applied for the position of Data Analyst at your company. I have known Pauline for over five years, during which time we worked together at Apex Industries on various projects. Over the years, I have come to appreciate her dedication, work ethic, and professionalism.
I firmly believe that Pauline is highly suitable for the position. She consistently demonstrated the ability to manage complex tasks under tight deadlines, and her attention to detail is second to none. Additionally, Pauline is a natural problem solver, often going above and beyond to find innovative solutions to challenges faced by the team.
In terms of skills and experience, Pauline has a solid background in Information Technology, with expertise in Data Analysis. She is also an excellent communicator, capable of working effectively in both team settings and independently. Furthermore, her leadership abilities, combined with her technical knowledge, make her an ideal candidate for this role.
I have no doubt that Pauline would be a valuable asset to your organization, and I wholeheartedly recommend her for the position.
Thank you for considering my recommendation.
Yours faithfully,
Madison Hughes
198 words
Band Scores:
- Task Achievement (9/9):
The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points provided in the task:
- The relationship with the friend is clearly stated in the first paragraph, where the writer explains how long they have known each other and that they worked together.
- The letter explains why the friend is suitable for the job in the second paragraph, where specific qualities like managing tasks, meeting deadlines, and problem-solving are highlighted.
- In the third paragraph, the writer provides details about the friend’s skills and experiences, mentioning relevant skills, communication ability, and leadership qualities.
The letter is fully developed, includes all necessary details, and is written in a formal and respectful tone. It is concise but comprehensive, meeting the requirements for Task Achievement.
- Cohesion & Coherence (9/9):
The letter is logically structured, with each paragraph addressing a specific aspect of the task. The writer transitions smoothly between the points using clear linking phrases, such as “I am writing to you in support of,” “I firmly believe,” and “In terms of skills and experience.” These phrases guide the reader through the letter in a coherent and easy-to-follow manner.
The content is well-organized, and there are no abrupt changes or irrelevant details. Each paragraph leads naturally to the next, maintaining clarity and focus throughout.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy (9/9):
The letter demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex and compound sentences:
- “I have known Pauline for over five years, during which time we worked together on various projects.”
- “She consistently demonstrated the ability to manage complex tasks under tight deadlines, and her attention to detail is second to none.”
The grammar is entirely accurate, with no errors in verb tenses, prepositions, articles, or sentence structure. The writer shows flexibility in using a variety of tenses (present perfect, past simple, and present simple) and uses conditionals and relative clauses appropriately.
- Lexical Resource (9/9):
The vocabulary used in the letter is varied and formal, which is appropriate for a letter of recommendation. The writer avoids repetition and uses a range of precise and specific words to convey meaning effectively:
- “Dedication, work ethic, and professionalism”
- “Manage complex tasks under tight deadlines”
- “Problem solver, innovative solutions, leadership abilities”
Additionally, the letter includes formal expressions such as “I firmly believe,” “I have no doubt,” and “wholeheartedly recommend,” which add to the professional tone of the letter. There are no awkward or inappropriate word choices, and the use of idiomatic expressions is accurate.
Summary of Scores:
|
Criterion |
Score |
|
Task Achievement |
9 |
|
Cohesion & Coherence |
9 |
|
Grammatical Range & Accuracy |
9 |
|
Lexical Resource |
9 |
In summary, this letter meets the requirements for a Band 9 score, as it effectively addresses the task, uses a range of vocabulary and grammar, and is structured coherently with a formal and appropriate tone.