A friend you met last year has invited you to visit him/her in his/her country. You have never been there before and need some information before you leave. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - request some advice about a gift for his/her family - ask about activities and clothing in his/her country - find out about the food
Sample Response
Dear Jacob, It was indeed a great pleasure to receive your letter and to learn that you have a new job. I still cherish our friendship and can never forget the splendid time we had together in a vibrant city like Milan. I'm so thrilled to be invited to visit you in Seattle in the United States which I'm looking forward to very much. As I've never been to the United States and have little idea about the weather and culture there, I would really appreciate your suggestions and tips. I would like to bring some gifts for you and your family and wondering what might be appropriate! Could you please help me with this? I've applied for the visa and I am expecting to travel to the USA sometime during the next month. What is the weather like at this time of the year and what type of dresses would be suitable? I am not sure about the activities you have in mind for me and some suggestions would be great. As you know I am a vegan and I hope this would not be a problem while I am there. Also, I would not mind experimenting with some local food and would be ready to enjoy some fun activities. Can't wait to meet you. Stay fine and take care. Warm wishes, Nick
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Break after greeting Original: Dear Jacob, It Suggested revision: Dear Jacob, It Why it matters: The salutation should be separated from the opening sentence.
- 2. Use natural future form Original: can never forget Suggested revision: will never forget Why it matters: Will never forget is the more natural expression for a lasting memory.
- 3. Name place directly Original: a vibrant city like Milan Suggested revision: the vibrant city of Milan Why it matters: The direct description is more natural because Milan is the specific city where they met.
- 4. Fix relative reference Original: visit you in Seattle in the United States which I'm looking forward to very much Suggested revision: visit you in Seattle, a trip I am very much looking forward to Why it matters: The revision prevents which from appearing to refer to the United States rather than the visit.
- 5. Use concise phrasing Original: have little idea about Suggested revision: know little about Why it matters: Know little about expresses the same meaning more directly.
- 6. Avoid overlapping terms Original: suggestions and tips Suggested revision: advice Why it matters: Advice covers both suggestions and tips without repetition.
- 7. Use singular request Original: some gifts Suggested revision: a gift Why it matters: A gift matches the singular idea in the task and makes the request more focused.
- 8. Add auxiliary verb Original: and wondering Suggested revision: and am wondering Why it matters: The coordinated verb phrase needs am before wondering.
- 9. Use statement punctuation Original: appropriate! Suggested revision: appropriate. Why it matters: This is an indirect question within a statement, so it should end with a period.
- 10. Use indefinite article Original: applied for the visa Suggested revision: applied for a visa Why it matters: The visa has not been identified previously, so the indefinite article is appropriate.
- 11. Simplify time phrase Original: sometime during the next month Suggested revision: sometime next month Why it matters: The shorter phrase conveys the timing naturally and clearly.
- 12. Use general clothing noun Original: what type of dresses Suggested revision: what type of clothes Why it matters: Dresses refers to a specific garment, while clothes covers suitable clothing generally.
Suggested Rewrites
- Dear Jacob, It Dear Jacob, It
- can never forget will never forget
- a vibrant city like Milan the vibrant city of Milan
- visit you in Seattle in the United States which I'm looking forward to very much visit you in Seattle, a trip I am very much looking forward to
- have little idea about know little about
- suggestions and tips advice
Why this response received Band 7.0
The letter is warm, engaging, and clearly tailored to a friend, while covering gifts, clothing, activities, and dietary needs. The main limitation is that the information is presented as one long block, and a few grammatical and lexical choices sound awkward or leave the food question somewhat indirect. Prioritise clear paragraphing and ask a more explicit question about suitable vegan and local food options.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The friendly purpose and all three content areas are covered, although the request for information about food remains somewhat indirect.
Ask directly what vegan and local dishes will be available, rather than only stating dietary preferences and willingness to experiment.
Coherence and Cohesion
The message progresses logically from the invitation to practical questions, but presenting every topic in one paragraph weakens the organisation.
Group the opening, travel questions, food needs, and closing into distinct paragraphs so each stage is immediately clear.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is varied and generally natural for an informal letter, with a few imprecise choices such as dresses and experimenting with local food.
Choose more idiomatic expressions such as clothes to pack and trying local dishes to improve precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses a good range of sentence forms with generally strong control, though a few clause and verb-form errors remain.
Correct structures such as I would like to bring and wondering and clarify the relative clause after United States.