Letter to a close friend about moving abroad

The task

You have decided to move to another country for work.

Write a letter to a close friend. In your letter:

→explain why you have decided to move
→describe how you are preparing for the relocation
→express your feelings about leaving them behind

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear [Name],

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8204 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

I hope you are doing well! I am writing to share some massive news: I have officially decided to relocate to Canada for a new job opportunity starting next month.

This decision stems from a desire to challenge myself professionally. My current role has become quite stagnant, and when this project manager position in Toronto appeared, it felt like the perfect catalyst for growth. I have always dreamt of experiencing a different culture, and this seems like the ideal time to take the leap before I settle down further.

Preparation has been quite intense. I have spent the last few weeks navigating the bureaucratic maze of visa applications and sorting out my accommodation. I am also busy decluttering my apartment, which is proving to be a nostalgic task, and I have been taking intensive French lessons to help with the transition, as the office has several bilingual colleagues.

To be honest, the thought of leaving you behind is bittersweet. I am incredibly excited about the adventure, but I feel genuinely sad knowing we will not be able to meet for our weekly coffee catch-ups. You have been such a supportive friend, and I will miss our long chats dearly.

Best wishes,

Mark

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response covers all bullet points with natural, flowing paragraphs and a consistent, warm tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to expand on the bullet points with specific details, resulting in a list-like structure rather than a cohesive, personal letter.

→Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.
→Contractions, phrasal verbs and a warm opening line are expected; a stiff formal tone loses marks here.
→Still cover every bullet in its own paragraph; friendly does not mean unstructured.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

stagnant
showing no activity or growth, often feeling stuck
catalyst
an event or person that causes rapid change
take the leap
to bravely decide to do something new/difficult
bureaucratic maze
a complicated and confusing system of official rules
decluttering
removing unnecessary items from one's living space
bittersweet
bringing a mixture of both sadness and happiness

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Informal. Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

Keep practising

More giving information letters

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