You have recently gone to live in a new city. You want to let an English-speaking friend who lives in another country know about it. Write a letter to your English-speaking friend. In your letter: - explain why you have gone to live in the new city - describe the place - where you are living - invite your friend to come and see you
Sample Response
Dear Anna, I hope you're doing great. I'm sorry that I've not been in touch with you lately, and honestly speaking, during the last couple of weeks, I rarely had any time for myself! I'm very excited to let you know that I've moved to Denver a few days ago. As you know, I was expecting a promotion, and last month our office administration promoted me to the Senior Manager position of their new branch in Denver. Therefore, I had to move to Denver which, in my opinion, is a great city to live in. Situated in the South Platte River Valley, this modern city draws openness from the Great Plains to the east and features spectacular Rocky Mountain views to the west. I've rented a house in the northeast part of the city and it has magnificent surroundings. The house I am living in has two bedrooms, a guest room, a large kitchen and a garden. I've planted a few flower plants and can't wait to show them to you. Please arrange some time and visit me sometime next month. I'm sure we will enjoy our time together. Waiting to see you soon. Warm wishes, Emily
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use present perfect Original: during the last couple of weeks, I rarely had Suggested revision: over the last couple of weeks, I've rarely had Why it matters: The unfinished recent period calls for the present perfect.
- 2. Match finished time Original: I've moved Suggested revision: I moved Why it matters: The finished time phrase 'a few days ago' requires the past simple.
- 3. Correct branch preposition Original: of their new branch Suggested revision: at their new branch Why it matters: A position is normally described as being at a branch.
- 4. Complete the sentence Original: Waiting to see you soon. Suggested revision: I can't wait to see you. Why it matters: The original is a sentence fragment rather than a complete closing sentence.
- 5. Natural conversational phrase Original: honestly speaking Suggested revision: to be honest Why it matters: This is the more natural phrase in a friendly personal letter.
- 6. Name employer naturally Original: office administration Suggested revision: company Why it matters: This is a more natural way to refer to the employer making the promotion.
- 7. Use generic job title Original: the Senior Manager position Suggested revision: a senior manager position Why it matters: A non-specific job title normally takes 'a' and lower-case letters.
- 8. Add relative-clause comma Original: move to Denver which Suggested revision: move to Denver, which Why it matters: The non-defining comment about Denver should be separated by a comma.
- 9. Divide ideas into paragraphs Suggested revision: Use separate paragraphs for the move, the city and house, and the invitation. Why it matters: Clear paragraphing would make the four requested points easier for the friend to follow.
- 10. Personalise city description Suggested revision: Add one brief personal reason why you enjoy Denver after the geographical description. Why it matters: A personal detail would suit a letter to a friend better than relying mainly on brochure-style description.
Suggested Rewrites
- during the last couple of weeks, I rarely had over the last couple of weeks, I've rarely had
- I've moved I moved
- of their new branch at their new branch
- Waiting to see you soon. I can't wait to see you.
- honestly speaking to be honest
- office administration company
Why this response received Band 8.0
This engaging letter fully addresses the move, the reason for it, the new home and city, and the invitation, while maintaining a warm, natural tone throughout. Its strongest feature is the specific, appealing description of Denver and the house; the main limitation is a small number of awkward or inaccurate phrases. Greater precision in tense choice and collocation would make an already effective response more polished.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter fully achieves its purpose, covers every bullet point with relevant detail, and uses an appropriately friendly tone.
Make the invitation slightly more specific by suggesting a particular date or activity for the visit.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information progresses clearly from the reason for moving to the city, home, and invitation, with cohesive links used naturally.
Use visible paragraph breaks to separate the move, accommodation, and invitation more distinctly.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is varied and generally precise, with effective descriptive language such as references to the valley, plains, and mountain views.
Replace slightly awkward collocations such as 'draws openness' and 'flower plants' with more idiomatic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of structures is handled accurately, and the few errors do not impede communication.
Refine tense control in phrases such as 'I've moved ... a few days ago' and review article and preposition choices.