This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the general training exam on the topic of writing a friendly letter.
The key with all letter is:
- Use the right level of formality/informality.
- Include enough detail about all 3 points.
If you can do that, you’ll at least get a really good task achievement score.
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training Sample Answer Essay: Friendly Letter (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)
Write a letter to friend to inform them of a celebration you are having for a recent job promotion. Include information about
The promotion
The celebration
Their accomodation
Real Past IELTS Exam/Test
Hey Sally,
It’s been a while since we were last talked and I wanted to touch base with you. Actually, I’m writing to brag because I just got that big promotion I’ve been gunning for! It’s not actually a promotion, more of a new job offer to head up the marketing department for a rival company. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better salary!
I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this pivotal moment in my life. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is well-known for its authentic dishes and how hard it is to get a reservation. They make some of the best ravioli I’ve ever had!
If you are free on the 23rd for dinner you can stay at my place after the party. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can get the train back to Syracuse in the morning. If you want to stay over the whole weekend, that would be no problem either.
Really hope to hear from you!
Jim
Analysis
1. Hey Sally,
- Say ‘hello’ or ‘hi’ because this is an informal letter.
1. It’s been a while since we were last talked and I wanted to touch base with you. 2. Actually, I’m writing to brag because I just got that big promotion I’ve been gunning for! 3. It’s not actually a promotion, more of a new job offer to head up the marketing department for a rival company. 4. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better salary!
- Begin to discuss the first point by saying your purpose for writing.
- Add more detail.
- Keep adding detail for 2 – 3 sentences.
- The more detail on each point, the better task achievement score!
1. I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this pivotal moment in my life. 2. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is well-known for its authentic dishes and how hard it is to get a reservation. 3. They make some of the best ravioli I’ve ever had!
- Start writing about the second point.
- Develop it with specific detail.
- Add as much as possible!
1. If you are free on the 23rd for dinner you can stay at my place after the party. 2. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can get the train back to Syracuse in the morning. 3. If you want to stay over the whole weekend, that would be no problem either.
- Write about the third point.
- Make sure it is fully covered…
- and detailed or you will get a low task achievement score!
1. Really hope to hear from you!
2. Jim
- Write ‘Best Regards’ or a similar informal phrase to end the letter.
- Sign/write your name at the end.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Hey Sally,
It’s been a while since we were last talked and I wanted to touch base with you. Actually, I’m writing to brag because I just got that big promotion I’ve been gunning for! It’s not actually a promotion, more of a new job offer to head up the marketing department for a rival company. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better salary!
I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this pivotal moment in my life. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is well-known for its authentic dishes and how hard it is to get a reservation. They make some of the best ravioli I’ve ever had!
If you are free on the 23rd for dinner you can stay at my place after the party. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can get the train back to Syracuse in the morning. If you want to stay over the whole weekend, that would be no problem either.
Really hope to hear from you!
Jim
Answers
been a while taken some time
touch base with reconnect with
brag show off
big promotion moving up the ladder
gunning for trying to get
new job offer new employment opportunity
head up be in charge of
marketing department advertising
rival company competitor
salary wages
pivotal moment key point
well-known famous
authentic dishes real food
reservation get a table/seat
some of the best ravioli among the best pasta around
free not busy
stay at my place sleepover at my home
get the train back take the train to your home afterwards
whole weekend saturday and sunday
no problem either also fine
really hope to hear from you looking forward to your response
Pronunciation
Listen and repeat:
biːn ə waɪl
tʌʧ beɪs wɪð
bræg
bɪg prəˈməʊʃən
ˈgʌnɪŋ fɔː
njuː ʤɒb ˈɒfə
hɛd ʌp
ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ dɪˈpɑːtmənt
ˈraɪvəl ˈkʌmpəni
ˈsæləri
ˈpɪvətl ˈməʊmənt
wɛl-nəʊn
ɔːˈθɛntɪk ˈdɪʃɪz
ˌrɛzəˈveɪʃən
sʌm ɒv ðə bɛst ˌrævɪˈəʊli
friː
steɪ æt maɪ pleɪs
gɛt ðə treɪn bæk
həʊl ˈwiːkˈɛnd
nəʊ ˈprɒbləm ˈaɪðə
ˈrɪəli həʊp tuː hɪə frɒm juː
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Hey Sally,
It’s b______________e since we were last talked and I wanted to t______________h you. Actually, I’m writing to b______g because I just got that b________________n I’ve been g_____________r! It’s not actually a promotion, more of a n_________________r to h___________p the m_________________t for a r_________________y. It will mean a lot of responsibility and, more importantly, a better s___________y!
I’m having a dinner with some friends and co-workers who I’ll be leaving behind to celebrate this p_________________t in my life. It’s going to be at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Elio’s, which is w_____________n for its a_________________s and how hard it is to get a r______________n. They make s____________________________i I’ve ever had!
If you are f______e on the 23rd for dinner you can s_________________e after the party. I’ve got a sofa in the living room that you can use and you can g_____________________k to Syracuse in the morning. If you want to stay over the w_________________d, that would be n__________________r.
R________________________________u!
Jim
Listen and check:
Listening Practice
Learn about writing to a penpal below:
Reading Practice
Read some amazing letters below!
Speaking Practice
Answer the speaking questions below from the real exam:
Interacting with Others
- Do you like talking to strangers?
- What was the last conversation you had?
- Do you discuss politics with your friends?
- Are families in your country very talkative?
Writing Practice
Write about the related topic below and check with my sample answer:
Write a letter to a friend who just moved into a new house that you are sending a gift to. Include
What the gift is
Why you chose it
How it will be delivered
Real IELTS Past Exam
Perfect lesson for us. The lesson contains a variety of exercise forms ranging from listening exercises to pronunciation practice, to vocabulary practice, to extra reading experience to speaking lessons.
Really appreciate it, Lwin!
Who is the correct one there, Dillion!