Starting January 21, 2026 you will write an email in the TOEFL writing section. You will have seven minutes to read the instructions and write the email.
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You rent an apartment from Greenview Properties. Since yesterday evening, there has been a steady leak from the ceiling in your living room near the window. You have already put a bucket under the leak, but the water is starting to damage the wall and you are worried it could affect the electrical outlet nearby. Write an email to the property manager, Ms. Park. In your email, do the following:
- Explain the problem clearly, including when it started and where the leak is.
- Ask for a maintenance visit as soon as possible and asked to be told a specific time when they will arrive.
- Ask what you should do to prevent further damage until maintenance arrives.
Sample Answer
Good afternoon Ms. Park,
My name is Michael Crosby, and I rent apartment 420 in Greenview Properties. I’m writing to let you know that water has been leaking from the ceiling of my apartment since yesterday evening. To be more specific, water is leaking from a small crack near the window in my living room. I am already able to spot a little bit of damage to the wall and am worried that it could get worse in the near future. Would it be possible for someone from the maintenance office to visit later today to take care of this issue? If so, could you let me know what time they will arrive? In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you could tell me what I should do to prevent the damage to the wall from getting worse. I’m actually a little bit worried that it might eventually ruin the apartment’s hardwood floors.
Thank you very much for your time and attention,
Michael Crosby
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