General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · giving information

Letter to a friend about my new job: 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.
  • 200 words
  • Informal letters
  • Giving information
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You have recently started work in a new company.

Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter:

  • →explain why you changed jobs
  • →describe your new job
  • →tell him / her your other news

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8200 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

I hope you have been doing well since we last caught up. I have some exciting updates to share with you, as I have recently started a new position at a marketing firm in the city centre.

I decided to move on from my previous role because I felt like I had hit a ceiling in terms of professional development. My old company was stable, but the work had become quite monotonous, and I was eager for a fresh challenge that would allow me to sharpen my digital strategy skills.

My new role as a Campaign Manager is fast-paced and incredibly rewarding. I am currently leading a small, creative team on a rebranding project for an international fashion brand. While the workload is intense, the collaborative culture here is fantastic, and I really enjoy the autonomy I have over my daily tasks.

Beyond work, I have finally moved into that apartment near the park we talked about! It is small, but having a balcony makes all the difference. I would love for you to come over for a housewarming dinner once I am fully settled in.

Let me know when you are free next month.

Best wishes,

James

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 fully addresses all three bullet points with natural, cohesive language and maintains a consistent informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide enough specific detail, leading to a shallow response that lacks the necessary word count and depth.

  • →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

  • hit a ceiling

    reached a limit where no further progress possible

  • monotonous

    dull, tedious, and lacking in any variety

  • fast-paced

    moving or developing at a very high speed

  • rewarding

    providing satisfaction or a sense of achievement

  • autonomy

    the freedom to act or work independently

  • settled in

    become comfortable and familiar with a new place

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 maintains a consistent informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide enough specific detail, leading to a shallow response that lacks the necessary word count and depth.

Keep practising

More giving information letters

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