Task 1 –
You recently stayed at your friend’s house while you were visiting their city. Unfortunately,
you left an important item at their house.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- Thank your friend for letting you stay
- Describe the item you left behind
- Ask your friend to send it to you
Dear Sarah,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to thank you once again for letting me stay at your
place last weekend. I really enjoyed my visit, and I especially appreciated how welcoming
and helpful you were throughout my stay.
Unfortunately, I realised after returning home that I left my black leather wallet in your
house. I believe I may have left it on the bedside table in the guest room. It contains my
driving licence, several bank cards and a small amount of cash, so I would be extremely
grateful if you could have a quick look for it.
If you find it, could you please send it to me by registered post? I’ll be happy to cover the
postal costs. Alternatively, if posting it is inconvenient, you could please keep it safely until my
next visit, which I hope will be quite soon.
Thanks again for everything. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, and I really appreciate your
help. Please let me know as soon as you find the wallet.
Best wishes,
Alex
Task 2 –
Nowadays, an increasing number of people choose to work from home rather than travel to
an office every day.
Do the advantages of working from home outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
In recent years, working from home has become increasingly common, largely due to advances in technology and changing attitudes towards employment. Although this arrangement has certain drawbacks, I believe that its advantages would surely outweigh its disadvantages.
One significant advantage of remote working is the amount of time and money employees can save. People who work from home do not have to commute to an office every day, which can substantially reduce transportation costs and daily travel time. For instance, an employee who normally spends two hours commuting, could use this time for exercise, family responsibilities or additional work. Furthermore, working from home can provide greater flexibility, allowing employees to organize their schedules according to their individual circumstances.
Another major benefit is that remote work can improve work-life balance. Employees may feel less stressed because they can work in a familiar environment and avoid the pressures associated with crowded public transport and long commutes. In addition, companies can benefit by reducing expenditure on office space, electricity and other operational costs as there are no requirements of providing an infrastructure. Consequently, remote working can be advantageous for both employees and employers.
Admittedly, there are some disadvantages too. The most obvious one is the potential lack of social interaction. Employees who rarely meet their colleagues in person may feel isolated and could find it more difficult to develop strong professional relationships. Nevertheless, this problem can be controlled through regular online meetings, collaborative platforms and occasional face-to-face gatherings.
In conclusion, although working from home may lead to reduced social interaction and difficulties with concentration, the benefits of greater flexibility, lower costs and improved work-life balance are more substantial. Therefore, I believe that the advantages of this kind of working arrangement certainly outweigh its disadvantages.