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General Training Task 1 — request letter: Asking a friend who is a fitness instructor for a plan. This page gives the exam question and a band 9 model answer, with the tone, opening and closing lines that suit the letter. Aim for at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
You have a friend who works as a fitness instructor. Write a letter to your friend.
In the letter, you should include:
• Describe your current fitness routine
• Include some questions you have about fitness
• Ask him/her to create a fitness plan for you
| Letter type | Request |
| Tone | Informal |
| Opening | Dear [First Name], |
| Closing | Thanks so much! / Really appreciate it! / Cheers, |
Dear Lisa,
I have been meaning to write for ages, but life has been incredibly hectic — and, honestly, that is exactly what I want to talk to you about! I have been trying to get into better shape, but I am completely lost, and I suddenly remembered that my best friend just happens to be a fitness expert.
At the moment, my routine consists of a brisk walk twice a week and the occasional swim, but I have no structured programme. I am not sure whether I should focus more on cardio or strength training, or whether morning or evening sessions would suit me better.
I have a few specific questions: how much protein should I aim for daily, is high-intensity training safe after a long break, and would home workouts be effective without a gym membership? I would be enormously grateful if you could put together a simple four-week plan that fits around my office hours.
Thanks so much!
Strategy
Informal favour request from a friend with relevant expertise. Bullet 2 (questions) should include 2–3 genuine fitness questions.
The closing request (bullet 3) should feel natural, not demanding.
Common trap
Three clear bullet points required. Many candidates write a general fitness letter without actually ASKING
questions (bullet 2) or making a SPECIFIC request (bullet 3).
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