General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · request

Letter to a friend asking for language learning advice

You are currently trying to improve your knowledge of a language which is not your first language. You have a friend who speaks this language fluently. You have decided to write to this friend.

Write a letter to your 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 Matteo,

I hope you have been doing well since we last caught up. I am reaching out because I have finally decided to take my Spanish seriously, and I could really use your help.

My primary motivation for mastering Spanish is my upcoming relocation to Madrid next spring. I have secured a new project management role there, and I want to ensure I can navigate professional meetings and social interactions with confidence. Being able to communicate fluently will certainly make the transition much smoother and allow me to connect better with my new colleagues.

Since you are so articulate, I was wondering if you have any tips on how I can accelerate my progress. I have been using apps, but I feel like I have hit a plateau. Do you have any recommendations for podcasts, specific reading materials, or perhaps techniques you used to reach your level of fluency?

If you are free next weekend, would you like to grab a coffee? It would be brilliant to catch up properly and perhaps chat more about your language learning journey. Let me know what your schedule looks like.

Best wishes,

Alex

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

Why this scores well

This response achieves Band 8 by fully addressing all bullet points with a natural, consistent informal tone and sophisticated vocabulary. A common mistake for Band 6 answers is using overly formal, rigid language that sounds unnatural for a letter addressed to a friend.

Useful phrases from the letter

articulate
able to speak clearly and express ideas well
accelerate
to make a process happen or move faster
hit a plateau
reach a state where little progress is made
fluency
the ability to speak a language very easily
transition
the process of changing from one state situation
catch up
to talk to someone you have not seen

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?

This response achieves Band 8 by fully addressing all bullet points with a natural, consistent informal tone and sophisticated vocabulary. A common mistake for Band 6 answers is using overly formal, rigid language that sounds unnatural for a letter addressed to a friend.

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