General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · advice

Letter to a friend suggesting birthday celebration ideas: 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.
  • 195 words
  • Informal letters
  • Advice
  • 20 minutes
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The task

Your friend is about to celebrate a landmark birthday and would welcome suggestions as to how it should be celebrated.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

  • →say what type of party should be held e.g. themed, fancy dress, black tie event
  • →suggest a suitable venue
  • →make recommendations as to entertainment e.g. DJ, jazz band

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8195 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

I cannot believe you are turning thirty next month! I am so excited for your big day and have been brainstorming some ideas to make sure it is an unforgettable celebration.

Since you have always loved the glamour of the roaring twenties, I think a Great Gatsby-themed party would be perfect. Everyone could dress up in flapper dresses and sharp suits, which would create such a fantastic atmosphere for photographs.

Regarding the venue, have you considered the old manor house on the outskirts of town? It has a stunning ballroom and a private garden, providing the ideal backdrop for a sophisticated yet lively event. It would give us plenty of space for dancing without worrying about the noise.

For entertainment, I strongly recommend hiring a local swing jazz band. They bring so much energy to the room and would fit the theme perfectly. Alternatively, we could have a DJ later in the night to play some modern hits once everyone has had a few drinks and is ready to hit the dance floor.

Let me know what you think of these suggestions. I am happy to help with the planning!

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

A Band 8 response fully addresses all three bullet points with coherent, natural language that maintains a consistent informal tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide specific, actionable suggestions, often remaining too vague or using overly formal language inappropriate for 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

  • brainstorming

    thinking of many new ideas for a project

  • roaring twenties

    a decade of prosperity and cultural change

  • flapper

    a fashionable woman in the 1920s era

  • backdrop

    the scenery or setting behind an event

  • sophisticated

    having a high level of complex social refinement

  • unforgettable

    so impressive that it will not be forgotten

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 fully addresses all three bullet points with coherent, natural language that maintains a consistent informal tone. A common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide specific, actionable suggestions, often remaining too vague or using overly formal language inappropriate for a friend.

Keep practising

More advice letters

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