General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · advice

Letter to a friend suggesting travel destinations: 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.
  • 187 words
  • Informal letters
  • Advice
  • 20 minutes
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The task

An English-speaking friend is working in your hometown. He is planning to visit another town in your home country.

Write a letter to the friend. In your letter:

  • →suggest him a few places to visit
  • →explain why he must visit those place
  • →share your experience of visiting those places

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8187 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mark,

It is fantastic to hear that you are planning a trip to explore more of the country while you are based here! Since you are heading towards the northern coast, I have a few recommendations that I am sure you will find unforgettable.

First, you absolutely must visit the coastal town of Whitby and the rugged peaks of the Lake District. Whitby offers a wonderful blend of history and maritime charm, whereas the Lake District provides some of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the country. They are essential stops if you want to experience the true character of our landscapes.

I spent a week in the Lake District last summer, and the panoramic views from the summit of Helvellyn were genuinely life-changing. Similarly, exploring the narrow, cobbled streets of Whitby and eating fresh fish by the harbour felt like stepping back in time. These experiences remain some of my fondest memories of travelling locally.

Let me know if you need any specific directions or tips on where to stay. I would be happy to lend you my guidebook for the journey.

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

This letter achieves Band 8 by fully developing each bullet point with personal anecdotes and specific vocabulary, maintaining a natural, consistent informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is listing too many places without explaining why they are worth visiting or failing to include personal experience, resulting in a thin, repetitive response.

  • →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

  • rugged

    having an uneven, rocky, or broken surface

  • breathtaking

    so spectacular that it takes your breath

  • panoramic

    offering a wide view of surrounding area

  • summit

    the highest point of a hill or mountain

  • cobbled

    paved with small, round stones or bricks

  • maritime

    connected with the sea or seafaring activities

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 fully developing each bullet point with personal anecdotes and specific vocabulary, maintaining a natural, consistent informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is listing too many places without explaining why they are worth visiting or failing to include personal experience, resulting in a thin, repetitive response.

Keep practising

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