Write a letter to your friend who lives in another town, and invite him/her to a party you are going to organise. In your letter explain: - why you are having this party - who are expected to be present at the party - give directions on how to get there.
Sample Response
Dear Daniel,
How are you doing these days? I know, I haven’t talked to you in a while, but that’s because I have been so busy with my work and other things lately. Anyway, I am writing this letter to invite you to attend a party.
With regard to the party, I've decided to throw that party on the occasion of moving into a newly-built home. Apparently, we are so happy to be able to finally move into our new home, and I want to share our happiness with friends, families and relatives. That is why I am throwing this party which will take place on 19th February. The party will include a cake-cutting ceremony and a dinner party. But, before the dinner is served, a few video clips on how the house was built gradually will also be displayed. After dinner, we will enjoy a music concert.
Here is the direction of our new house from your town - first take the N-35 highway, drive about 2 hours towards the north and reach our city. After that, take right on “Harmony” road and drive about 2 kilometres before you see a large shopping centre named “Valeria”. The house is right behind the shopping centre.
I hope to see you at the party.
Warm wishes,
Stefan Hermann
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove comma Original: I know, I haven’t talked Suggested revision: I know I haven’t talked Why it matters: The comma should not separate the reporting phrase from its clause.
- 2. Friendlier invitation Original: invite you to attend a party Suggested revision: invite you to my housewarming party Why it matters: This is more direct and natural between friends.
- 3. Reference choice Original: throw that party Suggested revision: throw a party Why it matters: The party is being introduced here.
- 4. Natural phrase Original: newly-built home Suggested revision: new home Why it matters: Newly built is unnecessary unless construction itself matters.
- 5. Noun choice Original: friends, families and relatives Suggested revision: friends and family Why it matters: Family is normally uncountable when referring to one's relatives collectively.
- 6. Comma after but Original: But, before the dinner Suggested revision: But before dinner Why it matters: No comma is needed after this coordinating conjunction.
- 7. Plural directions Original: Here is the direction Suggested revision: Here are the directions Why it matters: A route consists of multiple directions.
- 8. Natural direction Original: towards the north Suggested revision: north Why it matters: Drive north is the idiomatic form.
- 9. Turn phrase Original: take right on Suggested revision: turn right onto Why it matters: Use turn right onto with a road name.
- 10. Warmer close Original: I hope to see you Suggested revision: I really hope you can make it Why it matters: This better matches the informal invitation.
- 11. Direct transition Original: Anyway Suggested revision: I am writing because Why it matters: A direct transition moves naturally from the greeting to the invitation.
- 12. Natural reason Original: on the occasion of moving Suggested revision: to celebrate moving Why it matters: The shorter phrase is more idiomatic in an informal letter.
Suggested Rewrites
- I know, I haven’t talked I know I haven’t talked
- invite you to attend a party invite you to my housewarming party
- throw that party throw a party
- newly-built home new home
- friends, families and relatives friends and family
- But, before the dinner But before dinner
Why this response received Band 7.5
The letter is warm, clear, and well developed, with an explicit invitation, a convincing reason for the party, useful event details, and practical directions. The main task weakness is that the expected guests are described only broadly, while a few collocations and direction phrases sound unnatural. Strengthen the guest detail and use more idiomatic informal wording without adding unnecessary formality.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The purpose and all bullets are addressed, though the expected attendees could be stated more specifically.
Name a few people or groups Daniel will know and explicitly say they are expected to attend.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing and sequencing are clear, with a natural move from invitation to programme and directions.
Keep this structure while trimming minor repetition of party and home.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and appropriate, with a few awkward collocations in the invitation and directions.
Use natural informal phrases such as housewarming party, turn right, and directions to our house.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentences is controlled well, although punctuation and article choices occasionally need refinement.
Check introductory commas, articles in direction phrases, and unnecessary commas after conjunctions.