General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · advice

Letter to a friend recommending a travel destination

One of your friends plans to go sightseeing in your country. You used to live in a place that you think she might enjoy visiting.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

briefly describe the attractions of this place
recommend accommodation
and suggest what he/she should take

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

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Sarah,

I was thrilled to hear you are planning a trip to my home country! Since you love history and nature, you absolutely must visit Bath, where I lived for three years. It is a stunning city famous for its well-preserved Roman baths and elegant Georgian architecture, which give the streets a truly magical, timeless atmosphere.

For accommodation, I highly recommend staying at The Gainsborough Bath Spa. It is centrally located, meaning you can walk to all the major sites, and the service is impeccable. If you prefer something more intimate, there are several charming boutique bed and breakfasts in the Royal Crescent area that offer a more authentic experience.

Regarding your packing, make sure to bring a sturdy pair of walking shoes, as the city is quite hilly and best explored on foot. Also, do not forget a waterproof jacket; the weather here can be rather unpredictable, even in the summer months. You might also want to pack a light sweater for the cooler evenings.

I am so excited for your adventure! Let me know if you need any more tips.

Best wishes,

Emily

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

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by fully addressing all three bullet points with specific, natural recommendations and maintaining a consistent, friendly tone throughout. The most common mistake for Band 6 candidates is failing to provide specific details, such as naming a hotel, which makes the advice feel generic and unconvincing.

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.

Useful phrases from the letter

well-preserved: kept in its original state and condition
impeccable: faultless and of the highest possible quality
intimate: having a private, friendly, and pleasant atmosphere
authentic: genuine and true to the local culture
sturdy: strongly built and capable of lasting long
unpredictable: changing often and impossible to forecast accurately

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.