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This is an IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer from the general training test based on a letter to a friend.
In the general training test you have to write a letter for task 1 writing.
It might be informal (to a friend) or more formal (to your boss or a service representative).
You can read my ultimate guide to letter writing here.
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There are three keys for writing letters.
First, make sure that you get the level of formality correct. This will impact your task achievement, vocabulary, and grammar scores.
Secondly, make sure that you cover all three points fully to get full marks for task achievement.
Finally, make sure that you give all 3 bullet points equal weight/space. Lots of students focus on one of them and ignore another – that means you will get a low task achievement score, probably around band 6!
Read on to see how I handled these areas for this letter!
You can see and practice some other recent letters on IELTS here.
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Letter to a Friend (Real Test) by Dave
You stayed over at a friend’s house last weekend and think that you left your watch there. In your letter:
Thank your friend
Describe your watch
Tell them what you want them to do
Real Past IELTS General Training
Hi Sally,
I had such a pleasant time staying over at your place the other week and I wanted to write to say thanks and ask a quick question. The party you threw was so chilled out and I can’t wait to meet up for the next one. Please let me know if you plan on doing this type of thing again and let me know if I can help out in any way at all!
The only issue with the weekend was my fault (as usual). I had a bit too much to drink (also as usual) and I somehow misplaced my watch. It’s a brand new watch, with a brown leather band and a faux gold clock on it. The face of it is really distinctive because the hands are silver and it’s minimalistic, without any markings for the hours.
If you can locate it, I’d really appreciate if you could send it to me by mail (to the address enclosed). If that’s inconvenient for you, you could also pass it on to Mike the next time you see him because he often stops by my place at the weekend. Both those options are fine by me!
Thanks again for the party and here’s hoping you can rustle up my watch!
Regards,
Dave
Word count: 212
Analysis
1. Hi Sally,
1. You can start your letter to a friend in a number of different ways: dear, hey, hi, hello, what’s up, etc.
1. I had such a pleasant time staying over at your place the other week and I wanted to write to say thanks and ask a quick question. 2. The party you threw was so chilled out and I can’t wait to meet up for the next one. 3. Please let me know if you plan on doing this type of thing again and let me know if I can help out in any way at all!
1. Get right to the point – don’t waste any time with unrelated areas. The more you talk about each bullet point, the higher your task achievement score will be!
2. This is part of the thanking – describe why you are thanking your friend with as much detail (and as specifically) as possible. It is also fine to use contractions in an informal letter.
3. Conclude your paragraph naturally as you would when writing to a friend. Use lots of informal phrasal verbs and expressions.
1. The only issue with the weekend was my fault (as usual). 2. I had a bit too much to drink (also as usual) and I somehow misplaced my watch. 3. It’s a brand new watch, with a brown leather band and a faux gold clock on it. 4. The face of it is really distinctive because the hands are silver and it’s minimalistic, without any markings for the hours.
1. Move on to the second bullet point and cover it as fully and specifically as possible.
2. Don’t waste too much time describing how you lost it – that is not an important part of the task.
3. Notice the good vocabulary and how concrete/specific my response is.
4. You can start your letter to a friend in a number of different ways: dear, hey, hi, hello, what’s up, etc.
1. If you can locate it, I’d really appreciate if you could send it to me by mail (to the address enclosed). 2. If that’s inconvenient for you, you could also pass it on to Mike the next time you see him because he often stops by my place at the weekend. 3. Both those options are fine by me!
1. Focus the last paragraph on the last bullet point.
2. Even if it is a simple point try to make it as detailed and complicated as possible to help your task achievement score. That’s why I add the second option for returning it – to get maximum points for task achievement.
3. For an informal letter, exclamation points (!) are fine!
1. Thanks again for the party and here’s hoping you can rustle up my watch!
2. Regards,
3. Dave
1. It is a good idea to write a phrase at the end to summarise your letter such as ‘looking forward to hearing from you’ or ‘your cooperation is much appreciated.’
2. Some other options include: best, best regards, thanks, sincerely, your friend.
3. Include your name at the end!
Word count: 212 (Try to keep your writing between 175-200 words)
Vocabulary
Try to figure out the meaning for the following vocabulary and then check my definitions below.
Hi Sally,
I had such a pleasant time staying over at your place the other week and I wanted to write to say thanks and ask a quick question. The party you threw was so chilled out and I can’t wait to meet up for the next one. Please let me know if you plan on doing this type of thing again and let me know if I can help out in any way at all!
The only issue with the weekend was my fault (as usual). I had a bit too much to drink (also as usual) and I somehow misplaced my watch. It’s a brand new watch, with a brown leather band and a faux gold clock on it. The face of it is really distinctive because the hands are silver and it’s minimalistic, without any markings for the hours.
If you can locate it, I’d really appreciate if you could send it to me by mail (to the address enclosed). If that’s inconvenient for you, you could also pass it on to Mike the next time you see him because he often stops by my place at the weekend. Both those options are fine by me!
Thanks again for the party and here’s hoping you can rustle up my watch!
Regards,
Dave
Word count: 212
Vocabulary Answers
such a pleasant time: a very good experience
staying over: sleeping over
place: home
quick question: fast question
threw a party: had a party
chilled out: relaxed
can’t wait: excited for
meet up: see each other again
plan on: do in the future
type of thing again: this sort of thing
help out: help
any way at all: in any aspect
only issue: one problem
as usual: typical
bit too much to drink: drank too much alcohol
somehow misplaced: lost by mistake
brand new: just got it
leather band: strap made from tanned animal skin
faux: fake
face: front of the watch
distinctive: unique and separate
hands: the moving symbols on a watch
minimalistic: simple
markings: designations
locate: find
appreciate: thankful for
enclosed: included
inconvenient: not easy to do
pass it on: give to
stops by: comes to see
fine by me: it’s ok
here’s hoping: I hope
rustle up: find
Pronunciation
sʌʧ ə ˈplɛznt taɪm
ˈsteɪɪŋ ˈəʊvə
pleɪs
kwɪk ˈkwɛsʧən
θruː
ʧɪld aʊt
kɑːnt weɪt
miːt ʌp
plæn ɒn
taɪp ɒv θɪŋ əˈgɛn
hɛlp aʊt
ˈɛni weɪ æt ɔːl
ˈəʊnli ˈɪʃuː
æz ˈjuːʒʊəl
bɪt tuː mʌʧ tuː drɪŋk
ˈsʌmhaʊ ˌmɪsˈpleɪst
brænd njuː
ˈlɛðə bænd
fəʊ
feɪs
dɪsˈtɪŋktɪv
hændz
ˈmɪnɪməlˌɪstɪk
ˈmɑːkɪŋz
ləʊˈkeɪt
əˈpriːʃɪeɪt
ɪnˈkləʊzd
ˌɪnkənˈviːniənt
pɑːs ɪt ɒn
stɒps baɪ
faɪn baɪ miː
hɪəz ˈhəʊpɪŋ
ˈrʌsl ʌp
Listen and repeat:
Vocabulary Practice
Fill in the blanks then listen and check:
Hi Sally,
I had _____________ _____________ at your _____________ the other week and I wanted to write to say thanks and ask a _____________ . The party you _____________ was so _____________ and I _____________ to _____________ for the next one. Please let me know if you _____________ doing this _____________ and let me know if I can _____________ in _____________!
The _____________ with the weekend was my fault (_____________). I had a _____________ (also as usual) and I _____________ my watch. It’s a _____________ watch, with a brown _____________ and a _____________ gold clock on it. The _____________ of it is really _____________ because the _____________ are silver and it’s _____________, without any _____________ for the hours.
If you can _____________ it, I’d really _____________ if you could send it to me by mail (to the address _____________). If that’s _____________ for you, you could also _____________ to Mike the next time you see him because he often _____________ my place at the weekend. Both those options are _____________!
Thanks again for the party and _____________ you can _____________ my watch!
Regards,
Dave
Listen and check:
Video Link
When you watch the video you can use some of the ideas here to help you to practice: Should you Use Subtitles when Watching Videos?
Comment your writing or any questions below!
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