General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · request

Letter to a friend requesting a document translation: 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.
  • 203 words
  • Informal letters
  • Request
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You have received an important document in a foreign language and you need it translated quickly. One of your friends knows this language.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:

  • →tell him why the document is important
  • →explain why you need it translated urgently
  • →suggest to your friend how you will get the document to him

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8203 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Marcus,

I hope you are doing well. I am reaching out because I have run into a bit of a predicament and was hoping you might be able to help me out.

I recently received a legal notice from the property management company regarding the apartment I am looking to rent in Berlin. Since it is entirely in German, I am struggling to grasp the specific terms and conditions outlined in the contract. As this document determines my move-in date and deposit requirements, it is vital that I understand every detail before signing anything.

I have to return the signed paperwork by this coming Wednesday, which is why I am in such a rush. If I miss this deadline, I risk losing the flat entirely to another applicant, which would be a disaster given the current housing market.

Could I email you a high-quality scan of the document this evening? Alternatively, if you prefer, I could drop by your office tomorrow during your lunch break with the hard copy. Please let me know what works best for your schedule.

Thanks so much for considering this. I would be happy to treat you to dinner once this is all sorted!

Best wishes,

Julian

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 response achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, logical details and maintaining a consistent, natural informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the urgency clearly, often resulting in a vague explanation that does not justify why the friend's assistance is required so quickly.

  • →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

  • predicament

    a difficult or unpleasant situation

  • grasp

    to understand or comprehend something clearly

  • outlined

    given a summary of the main features

  • vital

    absolutely necessary or extremely important

  • disaster

    a sudden event causing great damage or loss

  • sorted

    arranged or resolved in a satisfactory way

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 response achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with specific, logical details and maintaining a consistent, natural informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the urgency clearly, often resulting in a vague explanation that does not justify why the friend's assistance is required so quickly.

Keep practising

More request letters

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