Your friend had made a plan for you to see a movie together but you can now not join him. You’ve found another friend who can go instead of you. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - Explain why you cannot go anymore - Say who can go instead of you - Say why this person is a good person to go with
Sample Response
Dear John,
How are you? It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Do you remember the time of purchasing tickets to a theatre? The time has come; however, I am unable to go with you as I promised. Rohit is ready to accompany you, and I hope he won’t let you get bored.
Let me tell you the reason for being busy on that day. You know that recently, I have got my niche in the teaching profession. I work round the clock, and I can’t take a leave. Besides, I’ll be responsible for organising cultural activities on the annual function day; therefore, taking leave will put my job at risk. I don’t want to see all my hopes dashed to the ground.
Furthermore, you don’t need to be depressed as I’ve arranged a partner for you. You know him well. Our old friend Rohit is free on Saturday and is willing to go with you on an intended day. I know you’ve made a plan with me, but I could not make it due to a hectic schedule. That’s why I have arranged a friend for you.
Besides, he has a great sense of humour and with his silly remarks and being a spontaneous person, he will make your day memorable. Also, he has his own car, so you do not need to catch a bus. He will pick you up from the bus station and drop you there. In this way, you’ll reach in time.
I am hoping to see you soon.
Yours Loving,
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural reminder Original: the time of purchasing tickets to a theatre Suggested revision: buying the movie tickets Why it matters: The revised phrase naturally refers to the shared plan and purchased tickets.
- 2. Name the occasion Original: The time has come Suggested revision: The day has arrived Why it matters: “The day” refers more clearly to the planned movie outing.
- 3. Use concise clause Original: as I promised Suggested revision: as promised Why it matters: The shortened participial expression is the natural form after “go with you.”
- 4. Use positive phrasing Original: won’t let you get bored Suggested revision: will keep you entertained Why it matters: This expresses Rohit’s suitability more naturally and directly.
- 5. Use direct wording Original: the reason for being busy on that day Suggested revision: why I will be busy that day Why it matters: The direct clause is clearer and avoids the heavy noun phrase.
- 6. Clarify new employment Original: have got my niche in Suggested revision: have recently started working in Why it matters: “Get my niche” does not naturally mean beginning a job in a profession.
- 7. Remove unnecessary article Original: take a leave Suggested revision: take leave Why it matters: “Leave” is uncountable when it means authorized absence from work.
- 8. Use natural event phrase Original: on the annual function day Suggested revision: at the annual function Why it matters: The event takes “at,” and “function day” is unnecessarily repetitive.
- 9. Correct the idiom Original: dashed to the ground Suggested revision: dashed Why it matters: The fixed expression is “hopes dashed,” without “to the ground.”
- 10. Choose suitable emotion Original: don’t need to be depressed Suggested revision: need not be disappointed Why it matters: “Disappointed” is proportionate and natural for a change of movie companion.
- 11. Clarify the companion Original: arranged a partner Suggested revision: found someone Why it matters: “Partner” is ambiguous, whereas “someone” clearly introduces a substitute companion.
- 12. Use definite reference Original: an intended day Suggested revision: the planned day Why it matters: Both people know which movie day is meant, so a definite phrase is required.
Suggested Rewrites
- the time of purchasing tickets to a theatre buying the movie tickets
- The time has come The day has arrived
- as I promised as promised
- won’t let you get bored will keep you entertained
- the reason for being busy on that day why I will be busy that day
- have got my niche in have recently started working in
Why this response received Band 6.5
The letter fully addresses the situation, explains the work commitment clearly, identifies Rohit, and gives several convincing reasons why he would be good company. The main limitation is that repetitive development and some unnatural wording make an informal message sound heavier than necessary; the highest-priority improvement is to use more concise, conversational phrasing while correcting awkward collocations.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are clearly covered with relevant supporting details, although parts of the tone are overly dramatic for a friendly letter.
Add a direct apology and express the reason more simply to create a warmer, more natural message to a friend.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing and overall progression are clear, but the explanation that Rohit will substitute is repeated and linking words are somewhat mechanical.
Combine the repeated arrangement details and use fewer overt connectors so each paragraph advances the message more efficiently.
Lexical Resource
The response shows a good range of vocabulary, but collocations such as 'got my niche,' 'take a leave,' and 'on an intended day' are unnatural.
Use precise everyday alternatives such as 'started my teaching career,' 'take leave,' and 'on the planned day.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A variety of complex structures is used with generally clear meaning, though several faulty combinations and preposition choices remain.
Edit complex sentences for parallel structure and natural phrasing, especially the sentence describing Rohit's humour and spontaneity.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
Your friend had made a plan for you to see a movie together but you can now not join him. You’ve found another friend who can go instead of you. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- Explain why you cannot go anymore
- Say who can go instead of you
- Say why this person is a good person to go with
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.