General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · advice

Letter to a friend recommending a holiday destination: 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.
  • 189 words
  • Informal letters
  • Advice
  • 20 minutes
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The task

A friend of yours is going on holiday soon and has asked you to recommend a destination.

Write a letter to your friend and recommend a good place for a holiday that you have visited before. In your letter:

  • →say where you went
  • →where did you stay
  • →what you can do there
  • →what the food was like

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8189 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

I was thrilled to hear you are finally planning your long-awaited getaway! Since you asked for suggestions, I cannot recommend the coastal town of Lagos in Portugal enough; it is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.

I spent a week there last summer and stayed in a charming boutique guesthouse tucked away in the old town. It was just a short walk from the main square, which made it incredibly convenient for exploring the cobblestone streets.

There is so much to keep you occupied. You must take a boat tour of the Benagil caves, as the rock formations are breathtaking. If you prefer something more relaxing, the beaches are spectacular, perfect for soaking up the sun or taking a refreshing dip in the Atlantic.

As for the food, you are in for a real treat. The local seafood is exceptionally fresh, especially the grilled sardines served at the harbour. Make sure you try the 'pastel de nata' from the local bakery; they are absolutely addictive.

I am sure you will have a fantastic time wherever you end up going!

Best wishes,

Mark

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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 addressing all four bullet points with specific, natural details while maintaining a warm, consistent informal tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is including unnecessary addresses or using overly rigid, formal language that fails to sound like a genuine letter to a friend.

  • →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 or vacation from daily life

  • boutique

    a small, stylish and fashionable place to stay

  • tucked away

    hidden in a quiet or secluded place

  • breathtaking

    so spectacular that it takes one's breath away

  • exceptionally

    to a very high degree; unusually or remarkably

  • addictive

    causing a strong desire to have more often

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 addressing all four bullet points with specific, natural details while maintaining a warm, consistent informal tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is including unnecessary addresses or using overly rigid, formal language that fails to sound like a genuine letter to a friend.

Keep practising

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