Below is an IELTS letter with a sample answer which is estimated at band score 9 and is personal rather than formal. For the General Training Paper in IELTS, you are required to write a letter of over 150 words in 20 mins for writing task 1.
Last month you had an overseas holiday with some friends where you stayed at their house. They have just sent you some holiday photos.
Write a letter to your friends. In your letter:
- thank them for the holiday and the photos
- explain why you didn’t write earlier
- invite them to come and stay with you
Band Score 9 Sample Answer
Hi John and Laura,
How are you both? I hope this letter finds you well. Although it’s such a short time since we last saw each other, it feels much longer.
Thank you so much not only for such a memorable holiday but also for the lovely photos that you sent of our holiday together. It brought it all back to me so vividly. Staying with you and seeing where you live was a real eye-opener for me. Australia is certainly a scenic country with remarkable landscape and wildlife, particularly up in the north where you are.
Sorry, it has taken me so long to write back and thank you. Almost as soon as we landed back in the UK, my mother became sick. Since then we’ve been running around looking after her and getting carers sorted out. She seems to be improving now and hopefully will be back to normal soon.
Next month, we’ll be celebrating our Wedding Anniversary and we’d be delighted if you could come over to celebrate it with us. It’ll be a chance for you to meet the rest of the family and see a bit of England. Of course, you must stay with us. There’s plenty of room and we’ll pick you up at the airport. I really hope you can make it.
Take care and write back soon.
Sandra
