TOEFL Write an Email
Write a short, polite email for a real situation, to a professor, a landlord or a campus office, in seven minutes.
You read a short situation and a list of things your email must do: explain something, ask something, request something. A clear structure, the right tone and complete coverage of every point are what score.
How the Task Works
One email, seven minutes, every point covered.
?The Task at a Glance
- Time 7 minutes for one email.
- Prompt A short everyday situation, the person you write to, and the points you must cover, usually three.
- Length About 100–150 words is a good target. Longer emails risk more mistakes.
- Tone Polite, clear and direct: an email, not an academic essay.
- Scoring Organisation and clarity, grammar and vocabulary, task completion, and tone. A missing point costs marks.
A Structure That Always Works
Plan for one minute, write for five, check for one.
| Part | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Greeting | The person's title and name | Dear Professor Lee, |
| 2 Purpose | One sentence: why you are writing | I am writing about Monday's lecture, which I missed. |
| 3 Point 1 | Explain the situation, with a reasonable detail | I had a high fever and my doctor told me to stay at home. |
| 4 Point 2 | Ask your question | Could you tell me which topics were covered? |
| 5 Point 3 | Make your request | Would it be possible to submit the assignment on Friday? |
| 6 Closing | Thank them and sign off | Thank you for your understanding. Best regards, Anna Müller |
Useful Phrases
Polite and natural, without sounding stiff.
| Purpose | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Opening | I am writing about… · I am writing to ask whether… |
| Explaining | Unfortunately, … · The problem is that… · Since last week, … |
| Asking | Could you tell me…? · I was wondering whether… · Do you know if…? |
| Requesting | Would it be possible to…? · I would be grateful if you could… · Could I…? |
| Apologising | I am sorry for any inconvenience. · I apologise for the short notice. |
| Closing | Thank you in advance. · I look forward to hearing from you. · Best regards, |
Practice: Three Prompts
Press "Start 7:00", write your email, then use the checklist and compare with the model.
1Missed Class
You missed Monday's biology class because you were ill. Write an email to your professor, Dr. Lee. In your email:
- explain why you missed the class
- ask what was covered
- ask whether you can hand in the week's assignment late
Check your email
Show a model answer
About 110 words. The highlighted sentences cover the three points in order.
2Broken Heating
The heating in your student apartment has stopped working. Write an email to the university housing office. In your email:
- describe the problem
- explain how it is affecting you
- ask when it can be repaired
Check your email
Show a model answer
About 120 words. It adds reasonable details (the room, since when) that the prompt did not give.
3Borrowing Equipment
You need a video camera for a class project. The university library lends equipment to students. Write an email to the library's media desk. In your email:
- say what you need and why
- ask about the rules for borrowing
- ask to reserve the camera for next week
Check your email
Show a model answer
About 110 words. Notice the flexible request at the end: it is polite and practical.
Common Mistakes for German Speakers
Direct translations from German emails often sound too formal or too abrupt in English.
| Problem | Avoid | Better |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Dear Mr. Professor Lee, | Dear Professor Lee, / Dear Dr. Lee, |
| Too abrupt | Please send me the slides. | Could you send me the slides, please? |
| Wrong preposition | I have a question to you. | I have a question for you. |
| Too stiff | Hereby I inform you that… | I am writing to let you know that… |
| Name unknown | Dear Sirs, | Dear Housing Office, / Dear Sir or Madam, |
| Closing | Greetings, Anna | Best regards, Anna Müller |
Clear, complete, polite.
Cover every point, keep the tone friendly but professional, and save a minute to check your email before time runs out.
Plan. Cover. Request. Check.
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