General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · giving information

Letter to friends about moving to their city: 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.
  • 201 words
  • Informal letters
  • Giving information
  • 20 minutes

The task

Your friends recently moved to a new city. You will also be moving to the same city.

Write a letter to your friends and include. In your letter:

  • →ask where to find a place to live
  • →tell them what type of place you're looking for
  • →share some fun things you would like to do when you get 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 8201 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah and Mark,

I hope you are both settling into your new home in Bristol! I have some fantastic news: I have finally accepted a job offer in the city, so I will be relocating there next month. I am incredibly excited to be living in the same area as you again.

Since you have already navigated the local rental market, do you have any tips on where I should look for a place? I am not familiar with the different neighbourhoods yet, so any advice on areas that are safe and have a good vibe would be greatly appreciated.

I am ideally looking for a small one-bedroom flat, preferably within walking distance of the city centre. A bit of outdoor space, like a small balcony or a shared garden, would be a wonderful bonus, though my main priority is finding somewhere quiet where I can work from home comfortably.

Once I am settled, I cannot wait to explore the city with you both! I would love to check out some of the local independent coffee shops you mentioned, and perhaps we could even go for a hike in the nearby hills on a weekend.

See you very soon,

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 addresses all three bullet points with natural, cohesive language and maintains a consistently friendly tone throughout. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is using overly formal or robotic phrases like 'I am writing to inform you' which contradicts the informal relationship required.

  • →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

  • relocating

    moving to a different place to live or work

  • navigated

    successfully found a way through a complex situation

  • rental market

    the collection of available properties for rent

  • vibe

    the atmosphere or feeling of a specific place

  • bonus

    an extra benefit or pleasing addition

  • settled

    established in a new home or routine

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?+

A Band 8 response addresses all three bullet points with natural, cohesive language and maintains a consistently friendly tone throughout. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is using overly formal or robotic phrases like 'I am writing to inform you' which contradicts the informal relationship required.

Keep practising

More giving information letters

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