IELTS Informal Letter: Letter to a friend about visiting their university town

The task

You are going to visit the town where your friend went to university.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

→explain why you will be visiting the town
→give details of where you will be staying
→ask your friend to recommend some evening entertainment

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 Sarah,

I hope everything is going well with you. I am absolutely thrilled to let you know that I will be heading to your old university town, Exeter, next month for a short getaway.

My primary motivation for this trip is to finally see the places you have told me so many stories about. I have always been fascinated by the history of the campus and the surrounding countryside, and since I have some annual leave to burn, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore the area properly.

I have managed to book a charming boutique guesthouse located right in the heart of the city centre. It is conveniently situated within walking distance of the cathedral and the historic quayside, which should make getting around quite straightforward. It seems like a cosy spot, and the reviews mentioned that they serve an excellent local breakfast.

Since you spent three wonderful years there, I would love to get your insider tips on the nightlife. Could you recommend a few spots for evening entertainment? Whether it is a lively pub with live music or a hidden gem of a restaurant, I am keen to try the places that were your favourites.

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 response achieves Band 8 by fully addressing all three bullet points with natural, cohesive language and a consistently friendly, informal tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide specific details, such as naming the town or describing the accommodation, leading to a response that feels underdeveloped.

→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

getaway
a short holiday spent in a pleasant place
annual leave
paid time off work given by an employer
boutique
a small, stylish, and unique hotel or shop
straightforward
easy to do or understand without complications
insider tips
advice based on personal experience and knowledge
hidden gem
a great place that is not widely known

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 giving information letters

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