Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You were supposed to go on an interview in a few weeks, but you have since found out you cannot go on the date arranged.
Write a letter to the potential employer. In your letter
- Tell them why you need to move the interview time
- Ask to change the interview date
- Explain that you are still interested in being interviewed for the job
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear…
Write at least 150 words.
Dear Mr Bromley,
I am writing in the hope that I am able to reschedule an upcoming interview I had organised for the 17th of next month. I had previously arranged this with your secretary and had verbally agreed the date, but a situation has arisen that means I would like to postpone.
I have been invited to attend my best friend’s wedding which unfortunately coincides with the date we had already established. I realise that this is not the most impressive start to my application to work with your company, but I have been asked to speak at the wedding and feel obliged to attend.
I am of course very interested in the position and feel that I can offer my skills and experience to the role, so I would be very grateful if we could set a new date that fits your schedule.
Once again, my apologies for the inconvenience and hope that we can reschedule.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Burnett
(162 words)
Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In some countries, people are forced to retire when they reach a certain age.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Compulsory retirement is common in many countries when members of the workforce reach 65 or 70, and this has both pros and cons as will now be considered.
The main advantage of requiring people to leave their job at a certain age is that it provides opportunities for younger members of staff to join the company, often meaning that the company benefits from having lower wages to pay for the new recruit and also having younger, potentially more dynamic employees. This in turn could well give the company the required boost to continue being profitable.
Another advantage is that some older people may choose to keep working more out of habit than enjoyment, and therefore a mandatory retirement may encourage them to enjoy their life more, having the free time to engage in hobbies and interests such as gardening, which they may not have previously had time for up to that point.
Yet there are significant disadvantages in forced retirement. Older staff members often have more experience, and may have no desire to leave their job. Requiring them to leave could mean a skill shortage for the company as well as a feeling of discontent from the employee. Added to that is the rising number of older people and the subsequent drain on resources if they are not working; if there are more elderly people on pensions or other benefits, the increased tax burden falls on the younger generation.
In conclusion, there are both social and economic benefits in allowing older people to remain in employment if so desired, so compulsory retirement would not be recommended.
(266 words)