Letter to a friend requesting a borrowed book

The task

A year ago, you lent your favourite book to a friend who you thought would enjoy it. Unfortunately, your friend has forgotten to return it. The book has sentimental value to you as it had been presented by your grandmother.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

→ask how he or she is doing
→remind him/her about the book
→explain why you need it back

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8197 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sam,

I hope you have been doing well lately and that your new job is treating you kindly. It feels like ages since we last caught up over coffee, so I hope everything in your world is settling down nicely.

I am getting in touch because I was tidying up my bookshelves recently and noticed that my copy of 'The Great Gatsby' is missing. I remember lending it to you about a year ago because we had such a lively debate about classic literature, and I thought you would really appreciate the prose.

To be honest, I am quite keen to get it back. That particular edition was a gift from my grandmother, and it holds a great deal of sentimental value for me. I have been meaning to re-read her handwritten inscription on the inside cover, as it always brings back such fond memories of her.

If you have finished with it, would you mind popping it in the post or dropping it by my place next week? I would really appreciate having it back on my shelf where it belongs. Let me know when you are free for a catch-up soon!

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

A Band 8 response achieves all requirements by integrating the request naturally into a friendly narrative while clearly explaining the emotional significance of the book. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the sentimental value, instead simply asking for the book back without providing the necessary context required by the prompt.

→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

treating you kindly
behaving towards you in a friendly or positive way
lively debate
an energetic and interesting discussion or argument
sentimental value
importance due to emotional attachment rather than money
handwritten inscription
a short dedication written by hand in a book
popping it in the post
sending an item by mail in a casual way
where it belongs
the correct or natural place for an object

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 request letters

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