General Training Task 1 letter
IELTS General Training Letter: Recommending a holiday place
Question type: General Training Task 1: informal letter
The question
A friend has asked you to recommend a place for a short holiday. You recently visited somewhere that you enjoyed.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - say where you went and when - describe what you liked about it - give some advice for their visit
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear ...
Write your own answer first. Then get an estimated band and corrections from our AI marker.
Answer this questionSee a sample report to find out what you get. Marking is paid: from $0.40 a check on the monthly plan, or 5 checks for $15.
How to approach it
- Write as you would to a real friend: contractions, first names and a warm tone.
- Give specific details about the place, not just 'it was nice'.
- Make the advice practical, such as when to go or what to book.
Sample letter
207 words (minimum 150). Written to show the features of a Band 8-level answer.
Dear Sam,
Thanks for your message. It's great to hear that you and Priya finally have a few days off! You asked if I could suggest somewhere, and I know just the place.
Last September I spent a long weekend in a small town on the coast called Port Elwen, about three hours from here by train. I'd never heard of it before, but a colleague recommended it and I'm so glad I went.
What I loved most was how peaceful it was. There's a long sandy beach that's almost empty in the mornings, and a path along the cliffs with amazing views. The old harbour is full of little cafes and seafood restaurants, and the fish is caught the same day. I also hired a bike for an afternoon and rode to a lighthouse a few miles away, which was the highlight of the trip.
A few tips if you decide to go. Try to avoid August, because it gets crowded and the prices go up. Book your accommodation early, as there are only two or three guesthouses near the harbour. And take a warm jacket, since it can be windy even when the sun is out.
Let me know what you decide, and send me some photos!
Best wishes,
Alex
Useful language from this answer
- I know just the place
- an informal way to introduce a recommendation
- what I loved most was…
- introducing your favourite thing
- the highlight of the trip
- the best part
- a few tips if you decide to go
- introducing advice informally
- let me know what you decide
- a friendly closing line
Common mistakes with this question
- Writing formally to a friend ('I am writing to inform you'). Use a natural, friendly style.
- Describing the place without giving any advice. All three points must be covered.
- Signing with your full name. To a friend, use your first name only.
Now write your own answer
Reading a model helps, but writing is what improves your band. Answer this question and get an estimated band for all four criteria, with corrections taken from your own sentences.
See a sample report first. Marking is paid: from $0.40 a check on the monthly plan, or 5 checks for $15.
Free practice for the other skills
Full-length tests with an instant band score. No account needed.
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.