IELTS · Guide 17 · 8 min read
IELTS General Training Task 1 sample answers: informal letter to a friend
An IELTS General Training informal letter advising a friend on a visit, with answers at bands 8, 6.5 and 5 and commentary on tone and criteria.
How to use this worked session
This page takes one informal letter task from General Training Writing Task 1 and shows three answers at different levels, with comments on what lifted or limited each one. Write your own letter first in 20 minutes, aiming for at least 150 words, then compare.
The task
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
A friend who lives in another country is planning to visit your town for a week next summer and has asked for your advice.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- say how you feel about the visit
- recommend the best area to stay in
- suggest what your friend could do during the week
Write at least 150 words. Do not write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ...,
What the task is really asking
- You are writing to a friend, so the tone is informal: warm, natural and personal. Contractions are expected.
- "Recommend" and "suggest" mean you should give specific advice with reasons, not a general list.
- Use a friendly closing such as "Lots of love", "Best wishes" or "See you soon", and your first name.
Strong response (around band 8)
Dear Marta, I was so pleased to get your message. A whole week here next summer is brilliant news, and I've already started making a mental list of everything I want to show you! As for where to stay, I'd steer clear of the big hotels by the ring road. They're reasonably priced, but they're miles from anything interesting and you'd spend half your holiday on buses. You'd be far better off in the old quarter, where there are a few small guesthouses in converted townhouses. The one on Weaver's Row is run by a lovely couple and serves the best breakfast in town. Book early, though, because July fills up quickly. Of course, you're more than welcome to stay with us for a night or two as well. In terms of things to do, I'd keep the first couple of days easy: a walk along the river, a look round the covered market and a long lunch somewhere. Then I'm going to take a few days off work so we can head into the hills. There's a lake about an hour away where you can hire kayaks, and if the weather's good we could even camp overnight. Pack some proper walking shoes! Let me know your dates as soon as you've booked your flights. Lots of love, Aisha
Commentary
- Task Achievement: All three points are covered with specific, useful advice. The recommendation explains why one area is better than another, names a place and adds a practical warning (book early). The tone is warm and natural from start to finish, and the closing fits a close friend.
- Coherence and Cohesion: One paragraph per point, introduced with natural informal signposts ("As for where to stay", "In terms of things to do"). The week is described in a logical order, from easy first days to a trip into the hills.
- Lexical Resource: Natural informal phrases used accurately: "steer clear of", "miles from anything interesting", "far better off", "head into the hills", "a long lunch somewhere". The vocabulary sounds like a real friend writing, not a textbook.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Conditionals ("you'd spend", "if the weather's good we could"), relative clauses, the passive ("is run by"), imperatives and contractions all appear naturally. No noticeable errors.
What kept it from the top band: very little; the first paragraph could say a little more about the feelings point, such as how long it has been since the friends last met.
Pass-level response (around band 6.5)
Dear Marta, Thank you for your email. I'm really happy that you are going to visit my town next summer! I can't wait to see you again after such a long time. About accommodation, I think the best place to stay is in the old town. There are some small hotels there which are not too expensive and they are near to the restaurants and shops. My favourite one is on Weaver's Row, it has very nice rooms and the owners are friendly. I don't recommend the hotels near the ring road because they are far from the centre. During the week, there are many things you can do. First, you should visit the river and the market, which are very popular with tourists. Also, I can take some days off work and we can go to the lake, which is about one hour from here. We can go kayaking there if the weather is good. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Please tell me when you book your flight, so I can make a plan. Best wishes, Aisha
Commentary
- Task Achievement: All three points are covered and the tone is friendly and suitable. The advice is relevant but less specific than it could be: "very popular with tourists" is a reason a guidebook would give, not a friend. "Thank you for your email" is a little flat for an informal letter, though acceptable.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Clear paragraphs, one per point, and a sensible closing line. Linking is simple ("About accommodation", "First", "Also").
- Lexical Resource: Adequate everyday vocabulary with few errors. "Near to" is slightly unnatural ("near the restaurants"). The letter uses safe, general words ("very nice", "friendly", "enjoy") rather than the more lively phrases a friend might use.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mostly accurate, with relative clauses and a conditional. There is a comma splice in "My favourite one is on Weaver's Row, it has very nice rooms", which needs a full stop, "and" or "which".
What would lift it: add personal touches (why you like a place, what you will do together), use a few natural informal expressions, and fix comma splices.
Weaker response (around band 5)
Dear Marta, I am writing this letter to inform you that I received your letter. I am very happy you will come to my town in next summer, it is very good news for me. You ask me about the place to stay. In my town there are many hotels. Some hotel are cheap and some hotel are expensive. You can choose what you like. Also you can stay in my house but my house is small. In my town there are many things to do. There is river and market and also mountains. You will enjoy very much. The weather in summer is very hot so you must bring the light clothes. I am waiting for you. Yours sincerely, Aisha
Commentary
- Task Achievement: The letter is well under 150 words, which is penalised. The second point is not really answered: "you can choose what you like" is not a recommendation. Activities are listed without suggestions or plans. The tone is inconsistent: "I am writing this letter to inform you" and "Yours sincerely" belong in a formal letter, not one to a friend.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The three paragraphs follow the three points, which gives a basic structure. Inside them, sentences are short and unconnected, and the advice about clothes is not linked to anything.
- Lexical Resource: A small range of simple words ("many", "very", "good"), with errors such as "You will enjoy very much" (needs an object: "enjoy it") and "the light clothes".
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mostly simple sentences with frequent errors: "in next summer", "Some hotel are", "There is river", and a comma splice in the first paragraph.
What would lift it: make a real recommendation with a reason, plan two or three activities, use a consistent friendly tone with a matching closing, and write at least 150 words.
The three answers side by side
| Feature | Band 8 | Band 6.5 | Band 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three points covered | Fully, with specific advice | Yes, general advice | One point not answered |
| Tone | Warm and natural throughout | Friendly, a little flat | Mixed formal and informal |
| Vocabulary | Natural informal phrases | Safe everyday words | Small range, errors |
| Grammar | Wide range, accurate | Mostly accurate, one splice | Simple, frequent errors |
| Length | Over 150 words | Over 150 words | Under 150 words |
Self-check checklist
- Does my letter sound like a friend writing, from the first line to the last?
- Have I avoided formal phrases such as "I am writing to inform you" and "Yours sincerely"?
- Have I covered all three points, each in its own paragraph?
- Does my recommendation name a place and give a reason?
- Have I suggested specific things to do, not just listed places?
- Have I used a few natural informal expressions correctly?
- Have I checked for comma splices and missing articles?
- Is my letter at least 150 words?
About the band levels
The band levels on this page are our own estimates for practice purposes. They are not official scores and are not produced or endorsed by any IELTS partner. Only a certified examiner marking a real test can give you an official band.