General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · advice

Letter to a friend advising on university courses: 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.
  • 196 words
  • Informal letters
  • Advice
  • 20 minutes

The task

Your friend is considering taking the same course as you at university. He/she has asked for your advice on studying this subject.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

  • →describe in detail the course you took at the university
  • →explain why you recommend the university
  • →give some tips on how to apply

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8196 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sam,

It was great to hear from you! I’m so excited that you are considering enrolling in the Environmental Science program here at Brighton University. It is a fantastic choice, and I would love to share my experience with you.

The course is incredibly hands-on. We spend two days a week in the laboratory and one day conducting fieldwork in the local wetlands. The curriculum covers everything from climate modelling to sustainable urban planning. While the workload is demanding, particularly during the mid-term assessment period, the practical insights gained are invaluable for a future career in conservation.

I highly recommend this university because the faculty are industry leaders who genuinely care about student success. The campus facilities are state-of-the-art, and the library resources for our department are extensive. Furthermore, the university maintains strong partnerships with local NGOs, which makes securing internships quite straightforward.

Regarding the application, ensure your personal statement highlights your volunteer work rather than just academic grades. You should also check the course website for the specific entry requirements, as they often look for relevant extracurricular experience. If you need me to look over your draft, just send it over!

Best wishes,

Alex

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

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural detail while maintaining a consistently friendly and encouraging tone. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide enough detail for the course description, often resulting in a letter that feels too generic or brief.

  • →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

  • hands-on

    involving active participation rather than just theory

  • curriculum

    the subjects comprising a course of study

  • invaluable

    extremely useful or having great worth

  • state-of-the-art

    incorporating the newest ideas and features

  • straightforward

    easy to do or understand; uncomplicated

  • extracurricular

    activities pursued in addition to normal studies

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?+

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural detail while maintaining a consistently friendly and encouraging tone. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide enough detail for the course description, often resulting in a letter that feels too generic or brief.

Keep practising

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