For individual lessons across all four skills, visit the learning library, including Reading, Listening and vocabulary in context.
Learn from a revision
Compare two responses to the same original situation. Notice what is worth keeping and how specific changes make the response clearer.
AI-authored original examples; independent human teaching review is not yet verified. These are unrated learning examples, not official responses or predictions of your result.
Study help: W1 criteria and worked example
W1: Writing an email — review guide
Help the intended reader understand why you are writing and what you want to happen.
Original learning criteria, not official rating descriptors or an assessment of your response. Use your own evidence before deciding what to revise.
Identify the recipient, your relationship and all three requested outcomes in the prompt.
Quote the sentence that addresses each outcome. Develop missing explanations, details or requests.
Check that the opening and closing fit your purpose: an invitation, request or explanation must not become a complaint just to sound formal.
Connect evidence to a revision
Ideas and organization
A reader can follow your purpose and the support for each main point.
Find evidence: Underline a main point and the specific detail that explains it. Mark the job of each paragraph.
Try a revision: Where a point lacks support, add a relevant example or consequence; place it beside the point it explains.
Vocabulary
Word choices express the intended meaning precisely and suit the reader.
Find evidence: Choose one vague expression and explain what you mean by it in this situation.
Try a revision: Replace that expression with a more specific description without changing your intention.
Readability
Sentences, punctuation and paragraphing make relationships easy to understand.
Find evidence: Read one sentence aloud and identify who does what, and how its clauses connect.
Try a revision: If the relationship is unclear, split the sentence or use a connector that expresses your actual reason or contrast.
Task fulfillment
The response addresses the requested outcomes with an appropriate tone and enough relevant detail.
Find evidence: Match each request in the prompt to a sentence in your response; identify any request with no matching evidence.
Try a revision: Add missing content, then check tone and the requested length. A word count alone does not establish completion.
Write an email to a community centre about a cancelled evening computer class. Explain why you enrolled, describe how the cancellation affects you, and request a practical alternative. Aim for about 150–200 words.
Situation and reference facts
You enrolled to learn spreadsheet basics for a new volunteer role.
The class was cancelled the day before it began.
You work during the day and can attend on Tuesday or Thursday evenings.
Needs revision
Hello,
I am writing about the computer class. I wanted to learn spreadsheets for volunteering. You cancelled it and that is really bad. I have things to do and I cannot do the other time. Please fix it quickly. A class is important and many people want classes. I paid already. Please tell me what you will do.
Thank you.
Revised response
Dear Community Centre Team,
I enrolled in the evening spreadsheet class because I will soon help our neighbourhood club track its expenses. I can enter figures, but I need practice with formulas before I take responsibility for the monthly records.
Yesterday's cancellation has left me without the training I expected. I had arranged my work schedule around the class, and the daytime course on your website would not be possible for me. I work until five and cannot regularly leave early.
Could you offer a replacement on Tuesday or Thursday evenings? A short online course at those times would also work, provided learners could ask questions. If neither option is available, please let me know when the next evening class will run and whether I can transfer my payment.
I understand that schedules sometimes change. A reply by Friday would help me decide whether to look for another course before my volunteer duties begin.
Thank you for your help,
Morgan Lee
Keep this strength
I wanted to learn spreadsheets for volunteering.
The original already identifies a relevant reason for enrolling.
What changed and why
Add useful detail
Before
I have things to do
After
I work until five and cannot regularly leave early.
The revision replaces an unspecified conflict with a concrete availability constraint. The centre can use it when suggesting alternatives.
Try it: Replace one vague inconvenience with the time or action it affects.
Consider the listener or reader
Before
Please fix it quickly.
After
Could you offer a replacement on Tuesday or Thursday evenings?
A specific, courteous request gives the recipient a feasible next action instead of asking them to guess what would help.
Try it: Write a request that names one workable option and one fallback.
Check your own response: Which details let the recipient answer this email without asking what you need?
Study collection: original-contrasts-v1. These examples use their own situations and are not model answers to a saved test attempt.
