You stayed over at a friend’s house last weekend and think that you left your watch there. In your letter: - Thank your friend - Describe your watch - Tell them what you want them to do
Sample Response
I had such a pleasant time staying over at your place the other week and I wanted to write to say thanks and ask a quick question. The party you threw was so chilled out and I can’t wait to meet up for the next one. Please let me know if you plan on doing this type of thing again and let me know if I can help out in any way at all!
The only issue with the weekend was my fault (as usual). I had a bit too much to drink (also as usual) and I somehow misplaced my watch. It’s a brand new watch, with a brown leather band and a faux gold clock on it. The face of it is really distinctive because the hands are silver and it’s minimalistic, without any markings for the hours.
If you can locate it, I’d really appreciate if you could send it to me by mail (to the address enclosed). If that’s inconvenient for you, you could also pass it on to Mike the next time you see him because he often stops by my place at the weekend. Both those options are fine by me!
Thanks again for the party and here’s hoping you can rustle up my watch!
Regards,
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Match the task timing Original: the other week Suggested revision: last weekend Why it matters: The task states that the stay happened last weekend, so the timing should remain consistent.
- 2. Use concise wording Original: say thanks Suggested revision: thank you Why it matters: The revision is more direct while retaining the friendly tone.
- 3. Clarify the reference Original: one Suggested revision: party Why it matters: Naming the event removes a slightly vague reference.
- 4. Avoid vague wording Original: doing this type of thing again Suggested revision: having another party Why it matters: The revised phrase identifies the activity clearly and naturally.
- 5. Improve the phrasing Original: The only issue with the weekend Suggested revision: The only problem after the weekend Why it matters: The problem is the missing watch discovered after the visit, rather than an issue with the weekend itself.
- 6. Name the watch part Original: a faux gold clock on it Suggested revision: a faux-gold case Why it matters: Clock is inaccurate for the outer part of a wristwatch, while case conveys the intended feature.
- 7. Use concise reference Original: The face of it Suggested revision: Its face Why it matters: The possessive form is more concise and avoids an unnecessarily wordy reference.
- 8. Clarify the description Original: it’s minimalistic Suggested revision: the design is minimalist Why it matters: The revision makes the referent explicit and uses the more conventional adjective.
- 9. Add the object Original: appreciate if Suggested revision: appreciate it if Why it matters: Appreciate needs the object it before the following if-clause.
- 10. Use the intended verb Original: rustle up my watch Suggested revision: find my watch Why it matters: Rustle up usually means to produce something quickly, so find is clearer for locating a lost item.
Suggested Rewrites
- the other week last weekend
- say thanks thank you
- one party
- doing this type of thing again having another party
- The only issue with the weekend The only problem after the weekend
- a faux gold clock on it a faux-gold case
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response fully handles the practical purpose with a warm, convincing informal voice, and the watch description and delivery alternatives are especially clear. The main limitation is minor awkwardness in a few expressions and the absence of a personal greeting, which slightly weakens the authenticity of the letter format. Add an appropriate salutation and polish phrases such as 'appreciate it if' while preserving the natural conversational tone.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are fully developed, and the friendly, humorous tone is highly appropriate for writing to a friend.
Add a personal salutation to make the informal letter format complete from the opening line.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress naturally through thanks, the watch description, and practical return options, with cohesive devices used unobtrusively.
Keep the opening slightly more focused by trimming the extra discussion of helping with a future party.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is flexible, vivid, and naturally informal, with only occasional slightly imprecise choices such as 'faux gold clock.'
Use the more precise phrase 'gold-coloured watch case' while retaining the effective conversational expressions elsewhere.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence forms is controlled accurately, with only a minor omission in 'I'd really appreciate if.'
Use 'I'd really appreciate it if' and continue checking fixed grammatical patterns in otherwise fluent complex sentences.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
You stayed over at a friend’s house last weekend and think that you left your watch there. In your letter:
- Thank your friend
- Describe your watch
- Tell them what you want them to do
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.