General Training Task 1 letter

IELTS General Training Letter: Advice on moving to your city

Question type: General Training Task 1: informal letter

The question

A friend from another country is moving to your city for work and has asked you for advice.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - recommend an area to live in - explain how to get around the city - suggest what they could do in their free time

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

Start by reacting to your friend's news before you give advice, as you would in a real letter.
Use a range of advice language, such as 'If I were you', 'I'd avoid' and 'make sure you'.
Give reasons for each recommendation, such as rent, noise or distance, so each bullet point is developed.

Sample letter

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

Dear Lucas,

What fantastic news about the job! I can't believe you'll be living here in a couple of months. You asked for a few tips, so here goes.

If I were you, I'd look for a flat in the Riverside area. It's about fifteen minutes from the centre, the rents are reasonable, and there are plenty of cafés and a good market at the weekend. I'd avoid living right in the centre, because it's noisy at night and you'd pay almost double for a smaller place.

Getting around is easy. You won't need a car, as the trams run every few minutes until midnight, and a monthly pass works on buses as well. Lots of people cycle too, since there are bike lanes on most main roads. Just make sure you buy a decent lock!

As for free time, you're going to love it. There's a huge park by the lake where people swim in summer, and the hills are only half an hour away if you fancy hiking. I know you're into football, so I'll take you to a match as soon as you've settled in.

Let me know your arrival date and I'll meet you at the airport. You're welcome to stay with me while you look for somewhere.

See you soon,

Mateo

Useful language from this answer

If I were you, I'd…: giving friendly advice
I'd avoid…: advising against something
just make sure you…: giving a warning or reminder
if you fancy…: suggesting something informally
let me know…: asking a friend to tell you something

Common mistakes with this question

Writing a list of place names without reasons. Each recommendation needs a 'because'.
Using formal phrases such as 'I would recommend that you reside in…' in a letter to a friend.
Writing far more about one bullet point than the others. Give each roughly the same space.

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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.