General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · thanks

Letter to an old friend after a visit: 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.
  • 177 words
  • Informal letters
  • Thanks
  • 20 minutes
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The task

You have recently been to stay with an old friend for a few days. You hadn't seen each other for a long time.

Write a letter to him/her. In your letter:

  • →say how you felt about the visit
  • →refer to something enjoyable that you did while staying with him/her
  • →invite your friend to visit you

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8177 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

It was absolutely wonderful seeing you again last weekend. I honestly cannot believe it has been five years since we were last in the same room, but it felt as though no time had passed at all.

I am still buzzing from our trip to the coast on Saturday. Walking along the cliffs and finding that hidden beach was the highlight of my trip; I had forgotten how much I missed our long, rambling conversations while exploring new places. It was exactly the kind of restorative escape I needed, and your hospitality made it feel so special.

Since you enjoyed our time by the sea, you really must come and stay with me in the countryside next month. The bluebells in the local woods will be in full bloom, and I would love to show you the new hiking trails I have discovered. It would be brilliant to have you over and return the favour properly.

Give my best to the family and let me know if those dates work for you.

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 a natural, consistent tone and cohesive paragraph structure. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to develop the bullet points sufficiently, often resulting in a letter that feels disjointed or lacks the specific, personal details required for an informal task.

  • →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

  • buzzing

    feeling a sense of excitement and energy

  • rambling

    long and aimless in a pleasant way

  • restorative

    having the ability to make someone feel better

  • hospitality

    friendly and generous reception of guests

  • return the favour

    do something helpful for someone who helped you

  • in full bloom

    flowering at the peak of their beauty

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 a natural, consistent tone and cohesive paragraph structure. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to develop the bullet points sufficiently, often resulting in a letter that feels disjointed or lacks the specific, personal details required for an informal task.

Keep practising

More thanks letters

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