General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · giving information

Letter to a friend about a memorable trip: IELTS informal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 informal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 183 words
  • Informal letters
  • Giving information
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You recently visited a place that had a strong impact on you.

Write a letter to a friend about the place. In your letter:

  • →where the place was and how you got there
  • →describe what you saw
  • →offer to take your friend there

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8183 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

I hope you’ve been having a brilliant week. I’ve just returned from a short getaway to the Scottish Highlands, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I got home.

I travelled up to a remote village near Glencoe by taking the sleeper train from London to Glasgow, followed by a local bus ride through the winding mountain passes. The journey itself was mesmerising, as the landscape shifted from urban sprawl to dramatic, mist-covered peaks.

Upon arriving, I was struck by the sheer scale of the scenery. Everywhere I looked, there were vast, emerald-green valleys flanked by imposing craggy mountains and crystal-clear lochs that reflected the sky perfectly. I spent hours hiking through the heather-covered hills, and the silence there was unlike anything I have ever experienced in the city.

You absolutely have to see this place for yourself. If you are free next month, I would love to take you there for a weekend hike; I’ve already scouted out a charming little cottage that we could rent.

Let me know if you are keen!

Best wishes,

Jamie

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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 fully addresses all three bullet points with natural, cohesive language and a consistently friendly, informal tone. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is providing a list-like response that lacks paragraph structure or failing to include specific, vivid details about the location.

  • →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

  • mesmerising

    something so beautiful that it captures your attention

  • urban sprawl

    the uncontrolled expansion of a city into countryside

  • imposing

    grand and impressive in appearance or size

  • craggy

    rough and uneven, usually referring to rocks

  • scouted out

    searched an area to find something specific

  • keen

    enthusiastic or eager to do something

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?+

A Band 8 response fully addresses all three bullet points with natural, cohesive language and a consistently friendly, informal tone. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is providing a list-like response that lacks paragraph structure or failing to include specific, vivid details about the location.

Keep practising

More giving information letters

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