You are planning a holiday abroad and will be visiting a town where an old friend lives. You haven't spoken to this friend in a few years. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - give a brief update of your life since you were last in touch - explain why you will be travelling to his/her town - say what you plan to do - when you visit his/her town
Sample Response
Dear Russel,
Not sure exactly when I heard from you the last time, but it must have been at least a few years since we spoke to each other. You'd be glad to know that I've switched to a different job as a Senior Accounting Manager which actually allows me to roam around different places instead of doing something just by sitting at a desk. Besides, I also run a small café now during the weekend, right across from the marketright across the market near the new stadium, which you saw being built last time you visited me.
Now about the reason I am writingreason why I am exactly writing to you. Actually, I will be visiting your town early next month to help my youngest uncle move all of his belongingshelp my youngest uncle move with all of his stuff because he has got a new job therehe got a new job there. Oh, I hope that you can still remember my youngest uncle who has limited mobilitywith some “limited mobility” issue.
AlsoHowever, when I visit your town, I'd also like to watchenjoy that famous horse race which takes place every year. Besides, I would also like you to take mewould also like for you to take me to the open street market while I'm there. So, hope to see you soon!
Warm wishes,
David
Why this response received Band 7.5
The letter maintains a warm, natural tone and gives clear, relevant detail about the writer's changed circumstances, reason for travelling, and intended activities. Its main limitation is occasional awkward phrasing and the imprecise use of linking expressions, although these issues do not impede communication. The highest-priority improvement is to choose more idiomatic collocations and transitions so that the otherwise strong message sounds consistently polished.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose is clear, all required points are covered with relevant detail, and the informal tone suits a letter to an old friend.
Make the planned visit arrangements slightly more specific, such as directly proposing when or where to meet.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically from the personal update to the travel reason and planned activities, with clear paragraphing.
Use transitions more precisely, especially where words such as 'However' do not express a genuine contrast.
Lexical Resource
A sufficiently flexible range conveys personal news and travel plans clearly, despite a few awkward collocations.
Replace phrases such as 'roam around different places' and 'open street market' with more natural, context-specific wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A variety of complex structures is handled with generally good control, and the few lapses do not affect clarity.
Refine article, preposition, and clause choices in longer sentences to make the informal style more consistently natural.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You are planning a holiday abroad and will be visiting a town where an old friend lives. You haven't spoken to this friend in a few years. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- give a brief update of your life since you were last in touch
- explain why you will be travelling to his/her town
- say what you plan to do
- when you visit his/her town
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.