You have a friend who has always liked the car you currently drive. Now you have decided to sell the car. You think your friend might be interested in buying it. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter: - Say why you want to sell your car - Describe the condition of the car - Invite the friend to come and see the car himself/herself someday
Sample Response
Dear Guri,
How are you? It’s been a long time since we’ve talked with each other. You’ll be thrilled to get the news that I’m selling my car, which runs on petrol. Before selling to anyone, I thought to ask you. I know you’ve been looking for a car and you wanted to buy something like it.
Let me tell you the reason for selling it. Honestly, I bought this car by cutting down expenses in other areas. However, due to lockdown, it has become difficult to refuel it now. The price of fuels has escalated, and with adequate wages, I cannot afford it. Besides, I have got a plan to migrate overseas. If I get successful, it would have no usage.
Suffice to say that, although it has been two years, it still is in its pristine condition. Its colour, seats, stereo, tyres and other accessories are undoubtedly well in condition. You’ll not have a need to repair any part of it. It is an ideal choice for every family person.
Will you come today or any other day to see it. It would be great if you could come in the evening of any day. I’ll be at home. You can check it. In addition, as I’ve purchased it in cash, you can make the payment in instalments.
I am hoping to see you soon!
Yours Loving,
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural verb pattern Original: thought to ask you Suggested revision: thought I would ask you Why it matters: The original infinitive pattern is unnatural after ‘thought’ in this context.
- 2. Use uncountable noun Original: fuels Suggested revision: fuel Why it matters: ‘Fuel’ is normally uncountable when referring generally to petrol costs.
- 3. Clarify affordability Original: with adequate wages Suggested revision: on my current wages Why it matters: ‘Adequate’ contradicts the claim that the running costs are unaffordable.
- 4. Use concise phrasing Original: I have got a plan Suggested revision: I plan Why it matters: This concise verb phrase sounds more natural in the letter.
- 5. Correct verb form Original: If I get successful Suggested revision: If I succeed Why it matters: ‘Succeed’ is the correct verb for achieving the migration plan.
- 6. Express intended meaning Original: it would have no usage Suggested revision: I would have no use for it Why it matters: The original phrase does not naturally express that the writer would no longer need the car.
- 7. Complete fixed expression Original: Suffice to say that Suggested revision: Suffice it to say that Why it matters: The fixed expression requires the pronoun ‘it’.
- 8. Clarify time reference Original: although it has been two years Suggested revision: although I have had it for two years Why it matters: The revision states clearly what the two-year period refers to.
- 9. Fix article and order Original: it still is in its pristine condition Suggested revision: it is still in pristine condition Why it matters: The natural phrase omits the possessive and places ‘still’ after the verb.
- 10. Use natural collocation Original: well in condition Suggested revision: in good condition Why it matters: ‘In good condition’ is the standard collocation for describing maintained features.
- 11. Use concise verb Original: not have a need Suggested revision: not need Why it matters: The direct verb form is more natural and concise here.
- 12. Choose natural noun phrase Original: every family person Suggested revision: a family Why it matters: ‘A family’ conveys the intended potential buyer more naturally.
Suggested Rewrites
- thought to ask you thought I would ask you
- fuels fuel
- with adequate wages on my current wages
- I have got a plan I plan
- If I get successful If I succeed
- it would have no usage I would have no use for it
Why this response received Band 6.5
The letter covers all three prompts, maintains a friendly tone, and gives the reader useful information about the sale and the car's condition. Its main limitation is recurring awkward or inaccurate phrasing, which sometimes makes otherwise relevant details sound unnatural. The highest priority is to use simpler, idiomatic expressions and check sentence structures, especially conditionals and questions.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The purpose is clear, all three bullet points are covered with relevant detail, and the friendly register generally suits a letter to a friend.
Make the reasons for selling fully logical and finish with a complete, natural informal sign-off.
Coherence and Cohesion
The letter progresses logically through the purpose, reasons, condition, and invitation, with clear paragraphing and generally effective linking.
Strengthen flow within paragraphs by combining short related sentences and avoiding mechanical transitions.
Lexical Resource
The response shows a useful range of vocabulary, including some precise terms, but several collocations and word choices are unnatural.
Replace phrases such as 'get successful' and 'well in condition' with common, idiomatic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures communicates the message clearly, although errors recur in questions, conditionals, and clause construction.
Proofread sentence forms carefully, particularly question punctuation and conditional structures such as 'If I succeed, I will no longer need it.'
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You have a friend who has always liked the car you currently drive. Now you have decided to sell the car. You think your friend might be interested in buying it. Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
- Say why you want to sell your car
- Describe the condition of the car
- Invite the friend to come and see the car himself/herself someday
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.