Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday. Write a letter to your friends. In your letter: - thank them for the photos and for the holiday - explain why you didn't - write earlier - invite them to come and stay with you
Sample Response
Dear Thomas and Eva, Thank you so much for sending me the photos from the holidayphotos of the holidays that I spent with you bothguys last monthover the last month. Believe it or not, it was one of the best holidays of my life with so many happy and joyful moments to cherish for a long time to come. I especially remember our time at the famous beach restaurant where we enjoyed some enormous lobstersenjoyed eating some of the biggest lobsters with garlic butter on the sidewith garlic sauce and butter on the side. Speaking of the photosAnd, talking about the photos, I think the photos we took while riding horsesriding on the horses at a ranchat a horse ranch were some of the most natural-looking pictures I've ever taken. More importantlyBy the way, I must apologise to yousay sorry to you because I didn’t write to you soonerwrite to you early enough sooner after returning homeafter receiving the photos from you. It is just that I got really busy dealing with some new assignments at work as well as moving to a new home. Turning to your visitAnyway, it is my turn to invite you to my new home to spendinvite you to my place and spend some time with me because I am sure you would enjoy staying in my new homeI think that you would like my new place. Warm wishes, Sophia
Why this response received Band 7.5
The letter is warm, engaging, and fully purposeful, with clear thanks, a credible explanation for the delayed reply, and an appropriate invitation. Its main limitation is that the invitation is only briefly developed, while a few repetitive or awkward phrases slightly reduce polish. Prioritise adding practical details to the proposed visit and tightening wording so each part of the message feels equally complete.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose and friendly tone are clear, and all required points are covered with relevant personal detail, although the invitation is only briefly extended.
Add a suggested time, activity, or practical arrangement to make the invitation as fully developed as the thanks.
Coherence and Cohesion
The message progresses naturally from thanks and memories to the apology and invitation, with generally effective linking despite limited paragraphing.
Use short paragraphs to separate the holiday appreciation, delayed-reply explanation, and invitation.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied, natural, and well suited to a friendly letter, with only occasional repetition and slightly awkward phrasing.
Reduce repetition of 'photos' and replace wordy phrases with concise, idiomatic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is handled accurately, and the few awkward constructions do not impede communication.
Polish minor expressions such as 'write to you early enough' and check punctuation around introductory phrases.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends. They have just sent you some photos of your holiday. Write a letter to your friends. In your letter:
- thank them for the photos and for the holiday
- explain why you didn't
- write earlier
- invite them to come and stay with you
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.