General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · giving information

Letter to a friend recommending an elementary school: 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.
  • 202 words
  • Informal letters
  • Giving information
  • 20 minutes

The task

A friend wants to get some information about an elementary school where one of your cousins studies.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

  • →say why this school is a good elementary school
  • →mention how expensive it is
  • →explain why your friend should get his/her child admitted 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 8202 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

It was lovely hearing from you yesterday! I am so glad to hear that you are beginning the search for a primary school for little Leo. Since my cousin, Toby, has been attending Oakwood Elementary for the past three years, I have plenty of insight to share with you.

Oakwood is truly fantastic because of its focus on holistic development. Rather than just drilling children with academics, they place a huge emphasis on outdoor learning and creative arts. The teachers are incredibly nurturing, and they really go the extra mile to ensure every child feels seen and supported.

Regarding the fees, it is actually quite reasonable compared to other private institutions in the area. You are looking at roughly £4,000 per term, which includes all extracurricular activities and hot lunches. It is definitely an investment, but it feels like a fair price given the high standard of care.

You should definitely aim to get Leo admitted there because the community spirit is unparalleled. The parents are very involved, and the school hosts regular weekend events that make you feel like part of a family. Let me know if you want me to arrange a tour for you.

Best wishes,

Alice

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 details while maintaining a warm, consistent informal tone. A common Band 6 mistake is to provide a generic list of school features without linking them to the friend's specific situation or using overly formal, stiff language.

  • →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

  • holistic

    dealing with the whole person rather than parts

  • drilling

    repeatedly teaching something through rigid, constant practice

  • nurturing

    providing care, support, and encouragement for development

  • reasonable

    fair and not too expensive in price

  • unparalleled

    having no equal; better than anything else available

  • extracurricular

    activities pursued in addition to the normal curriculum

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 details while maintaining a warm, consistent informal tone. A common Band 6 mistake is to provide a generic list of school features without linking them to the friend's specific situation or using overly formal, stiff language.

Keep practising

More giving information letters

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