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.
- Write ‘hi’ or ‘hey’ or even ‘dear’ for an informal letter.
- Mention why you are writing.
- Begin to cover the first point – what it is.
- Include a few sentences to cover theis point.
- Keep talking about the first point.
- 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.
- Start writing about the second point.
- Include 2 – 3 sentences about the second paragraph.
- 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
- Start writing about the 3rd point.
- Again, include 2 – 3 sentences about the 3rd point.
- Conclude the paragraph.
- Write sincerely or best or regards or the informal phrase that I use!
- 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
- Where are you from?
- What do you like the most about your country?
- Where would you like to live in your country?
- Are people in your country patriotic?
Please evaluate:
Hey Amy,
Just got your mail regarding the shifting of your residence. You have been keeping an eye on this house for almost a year and I’m so happy you finally could get it. I wanted to send you a gift. I am currently in Paris for a business meeting and am stuck here for another 2 weeks but I have found the perfect gift for you for your housewarming.
I have selected a genuine brown leather recliner sofa for you. I am sure you are gonna love it as it’s the same model which we saw last summer at Park Residence hotel and you were going crazy over its comfort and size. Since you are always busy writing novels a comfortable chair is all I could think of! What else could have been a perfect gift that would be useful and something you always wanted to acquire?
It will be comfortable and relaxing and the perfect time to show it off to your friends and family in the upcoming housewarming party. Though I am all excited about the housewarming, as mentioned I cannot make it on time hence I’m planning to get it delivered to you through FedEx as they are the most reliable delivering company here. I’m sending you some clicks of the chair, let me know if you want to change the color and I’ll get the same delivered to you before the weekend. I’ll send you the details in case you want to track the consignment.
Keep an eye out for the furniture and hope you have a lovely neighborhood. I know you are going to love the gift.
See you soon! Enjoy your housewarming.
Jeena.
You did well, Diana.
Really high level writing – what score do you need?