This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of moving to a new house from real IELTS exam.

It is a letter to a friend so you’ll notice that the level of formality is very low.

You don’t have to write it this informal, but it shouldn’t be as formal as a letter to a company or your boss.

Read it all below!

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Dave

Before reading, listen to the audio and take notes to improve your listening skills:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer Letter: Moving to a New House (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)

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 Past IELTS Exam/Test

Hey buddy,

Heard you’re moving house and I wanted to send you a gift. When you open it, you might not recognise it exactly. That’s because it is a very special kind of seed that I got when I was travelling in India a few months back. It will grow a tree that you can’t normally find here in the states. Don’t remember the exact name of it, to be honest.

I got it for you because I know you’re not that into nature and I thought this would spur you on. I guarantee no one in your neighborhood will have a tree like this. If we can trust the guy I bought them from, it’ll also grow some kind of tropical fruit so you’ve got that to look forward to as well.

I couldn’t enclose it in this letter because I was afraid it might get damaged in transit. It will arrive sometime in the next week in a box marked fragile from FedEx. Keep an eye out so no one snatches it if they leave it on your doorstep.

Looking out for you!

Dave

Analysis

1. Hey buddy,

2. Heard you’re moving house and I wanted to send you a gift. 3. When you open it, you might not recognise it exactly. 4. That’s because it is a very special kind of seed that I got when I was travelling in India a few months back. 5. It will grow a tree that you can’t normally find here in the states. 6. Don’t remember the exact name of it, to be honest.

1. Write ‘hi’ or ‘hey’ or even ‘dear’ for an informal letter.
2. Mention why you are writing.
3. Begin to cover the first point – what it is.
4. Include a few sentences to cover theis point.
5. Keep talking about the first point.
6. Conclude the paragraph when you’ve finished the first point.

1. I got it for you because I know you’re not that into nature and I thought this would spur you on. 2. I guarantee no one in your neighborhood will have a tree like this. 3. If we can trust the guy I bought them from, it’ll also grow some kind of tropical fruit so you’ve got that to look forward to as well.

1. Start writing about the second point.
2. Include 2 – 3 sentences about the second paragraph.
3. Finish the paragraph when the second point is done.

1. I couldn’t enclose it in this letter because I was afraid it might get damaged in transit. 2. It will arrive sometime in the next week in a box marked fragile from FedEx. 3. Keep an eye out so no one snatches it if they leave it on your doorstep.

4. Looking out for you!

5. Dave

1. Start writing about the 3rd point.
2. Again, include 2 – 3 sentences about the 3rd point.
3. Conclude the paragraph.
4. Write sincerely or best or regards or the informal phrase that I use!
5. Write your name at the end.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold mean?

Hey buddy,

Heard you’re moving house and I wanted to send you a gift. When you open it, you might not recognise it exactly. That’s because it is a very special kind of seed that I got when I was travelling in India a few months back. It will grow a tree that you can’t normally find here in the states. Don’t remember the exact name of it, to be honest.

I got it for you because I know you’re not that into nature and I thought this would spur you on. I guarantee no one in your neighborhood will have a tree like this. If we can trust the guy I bought them from, it’ll also grow some kind of tropical fruit so you’ve got that to look forward to as well.

I couldn’t enclose it in this letter because I was afraid it might get damaged in transit. It will arrive sometime in the next week in a box marked fragile from FedEx. Keep an eye out so no one snatches it if they leave it on your doorstep.

Looking out for you!

Dave

Answers

buddy friend/pal

heard found out

moving house moving to a new place

recognise know

exactly precisely

seed for growing a plant/tree

a few months back 3 months ago (or so)

normally typically

to be honest frankly

not that into nature doesn’t enjoy the outside world

spur you on encourage you

guarantee promise

trust believe in

tropical fruit fruit from an exotic country

you’ve got that to look forward to that’s something to hope for

enclose included

get damaged in transit get hurt when being transported

box marked fragile handle with care package

keep an eye out look for

snatches takes

doorstep front door

looking out for you thinking of your best interests

Pronunciation

ˈbʌdi 
hɜːd 
ˈmuːvɪŋ haʊs 
ˈrɛkəgnaɪz 
ɪgˈzæktli 
siːd 
ə fjuː mʌnθs bæk 
ˈnɔːməli 
tuː biː ˈɒnɪst 
nɒt ðæt ˈɪntuː ˈneɪʧə 
spɜː juː ɒn 
ˌgærənˈtiː 
trʌst 
ˈtrɒpɪkəl fruːt 
juːv gɒt ðæt tuː lʊk ˈfɔːwəd tuː 
ɪnˈkləʊz 
gɛt ˈdæmɪʤd ɪn ˈtrænsɪt 
bɒks mɑːkt ˈfræʤaɪl 
kiːp ən aɪ aʊt 
ˈsnæʧɪz 
ˈdɔːstɛp 
ˈlʊkɪŋ aʊt fɔː juː 

Listen and repeat:

Vocabulary Practice

Hey b________y,

H_________d you’re m_____________e and I wanted to send you a gift. When you open it, you might not r____________e it e_________y. That’s because it is a very special kind of s_______d that I got when I was travelling in India a____________________k. It will grow a tree that you can’t n____________y find here in the states. Don’t remember the exact name of it, t________________t.

I got it for you because I know you’re n__________________e and I thought this would s_________________n. I g__________________e no one in your neighborhood will have a tree like this. If we can t_________t the guy I bought them from, it’ll also grow some kind of t_____________t so y________________________________o as well.

I couldn’t e___________e it in this letter because I was afraid it might g____________________________t. It will arrive sometime in the next week in a b______________________e from FedEx. K__________________t so no one s___________s it if they leave it on your d____________p.

L_________________________u!

Dave

Listen and check:

Listening Practice

Watch the video below to learn more about moving house:

Reading Practice

Read the tips below:

https://www.moving.com/tips/best-housewarming-gifts-for-new-homeowners/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Your Home Nation/Country

1. Where are you from?
2. What do you like the most about your country?
3. Where would you like to live in your country?
4. Are people in your country patriotic?