Use the greeting, sign-off and paragraph plan below for this informal letter, write it on a 20-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model letter.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
A friend is very stressed about her final exams and has written to you for help.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Dina,
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
A letter to a friend ends warmly, for example Best wishes or Love, followed by your first name.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 150 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Dear Dina,
I was sorry to read your message, and I wanted to write straight away. I know exactly how you feel, because I felt the same way before my own final exams.
First of all, remember that feeling stressed is completely normal. It shows that you care, and you've worked hard all year, so you know more than you think.
When it comes to studying, I'd suggest making a timetable with one or two subjects each day, and sticking to it. Study in short sessions of about forty-five minutes, then take a break. Instead of just rereading your notes, try past papers and explaining topics aloud to a friend, which helped me a lot.
It's equally important to relax. Go for a walk or a run every day, get a full night's sleep, and don't live on coffee.
If you get stuck on a topic, ask your teacher or a classmate early rather than worrying alone. You can do this! Call me whenever you need to talk.
Love,
Diana
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| If I were you, I'd | give friendly advice |
| Why not | simple suggestion |
| You'd better | strong, friendly advice |
| It's worth trying | recommend an action |
| Hope that helps! | friendly closing |
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