IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing Task 1:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You have a friend who is about to enter university, and he/she wants you to advise him/her on which subject to specialize in – history, in which he is very interested, or computer science, which offers better job prospects.

Write a response letter to this friend.

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ……………,
 

Sample Answer 1:

Dear Charles,

I am so delighted to receive your letter yesterday and it was a pleasant surprise to know that you have already completed high school and would get admitted to a university soon. How time does fly!

You have asked my opinion on which subject to take as the major. I think you should follow your own instinct and go for something you feel passionate about.

I know you very closely and can advise that you do better when you feel connected to something. From your letter, I can understand that your personal choice is history but your parents want you to follow your elder cousin Ryan’s track who is earning a lot from his IT career. Who says you cannot have a great career if you take history? I can give you many examples when someone from a more demanding subject is doing mediocrely while someone from a traditional subject is doing quite excellent.

I guess you personally want to study history, I have got that impression from your letter, and that’s why I would advise you to follow your own track and set an example for others instead of blindly walking through a street you do not want to be in.   

Warm wishes,

Simmon

Sample Answer 2:

Dear Diana,

Hope this letter finds you in good health and spirit. Anyway, I feel truly honoured and flattered since you have decided to take my advice into confidence with regards to choosing a subject of study before entering your university. However, this is not an easy decision to make neither for you nor me, probably because none of us can be sure what the future would be like.

But, again, since you have taken the trouble to ask for my advice, I would suggest you go ahead with the “History” subject, primarily because you really like to study history. Besides, conventional wisdom suggests that whenever a person likes to do something, the chances are that he or she will become a real expert in that subject or profession, sooner rather than later.

Finally, in defence of studying History, the job prospect after studying this subject is no less than studying computer science since many universities would compete among themselves to recruit you as a faculty member to teach history if you have good results.

However, I would like you to think more as it is ultimately your future. I hope whatever you decide, would be best for you.

Warm wishes,

Elina