General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · giving information

Letter to a friend about career change

You have decided to leave your current job and look for a new one.

Write a letter to a friend. In your letter:

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

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Sarah,

I hope you’ve been keeping well and that work hasn’t been too hectic lately. I’m dropping you a quick line because I’ve finally decided to hand in my resignation at the marketing agency next month.

Honestly, I’ve hit a bit of a wall here. While the team is great, the projects have become incredibly repetitive, and I feel like I’ve stopped learning anything new. I’m craving a role that offers more creative autonomy and a better work-life balance, as the constant overtime is starting to take its toll on my health.

I’m currently scouting for positions in the non-profit sector, specifically focusing on communications roles where I can support environmental causes. I want my daily tasks to feel more meaningful, ideally in an organisation that aligns better with my personal values.

Since you have such a wide professional network, I was wondering if you might know anyone working in that field who would be open to a brief chat? Any advice or tips on how to pivot into a new industry would be incredibly helpful as I navigate this transition.

Let’s catch up properly over coffee soon.

Best wishes,

James

192 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response fully develops each bullet point with specific, natural details while maintaining a consistently warm and informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide a clear reason for leaving or offering only vague, repetitive descriptions of the desired new role.

Useful phrases from the letter

hit a wall
reaching a point where no progress is possible
creative autonomy
the freedom to make your own artistic decisions
take its toll
to cause damage or suffering over a period
scouting
searching for someone or something in various places
pivot
to change your career path to a new area
navigate
to manage or deal with a complex situation

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.

Practise IELTS General writing

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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 long 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 develops each bullet point with specific, natural details while maintaining a consistently warm and informal tone throughout. A common Band 6 error is failing to provide a clear reason for leaving or offering only vague, repetitive descriptions of the desired new role.

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