General Training Task 1 letter

IELTS General Training Letter: Inviting a friend

Question type: General Training Task 1: informal letter

The question

A friend from another country is planning to visit your city next month.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - say how you feel about the visit - suggest some places to visit together - offer to help with arrangements

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...,

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How to approach it

Use a warm, informal tone with contractions.
Suggest two or three specific places and say why your friend would like them.
Offer practical help: collecting them, accommodation or tickets.

Sample letter

197 words (minimum 150). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.

Dear Tom,

I was so happy to get your message saying you're coming to Istanbul next month! It's been nearly three years since we last saw each other, so I really can't wait.

There's so much I want to show you. You've always been interested in history, so we definitely have to visit the Hagia Sophia and the old Topkapı Palace. I'd also love to take you on a boat trip along the Bosphorus in the evening, when you can see the lights on both the European and Asian sides of the city. And of course, you have to try the food at the Grand Bazaar. There's a tiny café there that makes the best baklava you'll ever taste.

If you like, I can pick you up from the airport when you arrive, so just send me your flight details once you've booked. You're very welcome to stay in my spare room too, which would save you the cost of a hotel. I can also help you get a travel card for the metro, which makes getting around much easier.

Let me know what dates you're thinking of, and I'll book a few days off work.

See you soon!

Best wishes,

Elif

Useful language from this answer

I can't wait: I am very excited
There's so much I want to show you: introducing suggestions warmly
You've always been interested in…: personalising a suggestion
If you like, I can…: offering help informally
Let me know…: asking for information informally

Common mistakes with this question

Writing too formally to a friend. Contractions and friendly phrases are expected.
Missing one of the three bullet points.
Forgetting a natural opening and closing, such as 'Hope you're well' and 'Best wishes'.

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This model answer was written by TestWise Prep to show the features of a high-scoring answer. It is not official IELTS material. Use it for ideas and language, not to memorise.