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Meeting a friend at the airport

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.

WRITING TASK 1

InformalArrangement

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A friend is flying in to visit you and you need to agree how to meet.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

  • give details of how you will meet
  • explain how you will get to your home
  • tell her what the weather is like

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Zoe,

GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.

Plan your letter

Start with
Dear Zoe,
End with
Love,

A letter to a friend ends warmly, for example Best wishes or Love, followed by your first name.

  1. 1OpeningSay who you are, if needed, and why you are writing.
  2. 2Paragraph 1Give details of how you will meet
  3. 3Paragraph 2Explain how you will get to your home
  4. 4Paragraph 3Tell her what the weather is like
  5. 5ClosingSay what you would like to happen next, then sign off.

Write it on the clock

Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.

20:00

0 words of 150 minimum

Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.

Band-8 model letter

Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.

Show model letter (166 words)

Dear Zoe,

I can't believe you're finally coming next week! I'm so excited, and I want to make sure that everything goes smoothly when you arrive.

Your plane lands at 3.40 pm on Tuesday, so I'll be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, just beyond the customs exit. I'll be holding a big sign with your name on it, so you can't miss me, but if there's any delay, text me and I'll wait.

From the airport, we'll take the express train into the city, which takes about thirty minutes and costs only a few pounds. Then it's a short bus ride to my flat. If you're too tired or have too much luggage, I can order a taxi instead, and we could share the cost.

Pack some warm clothes! The weather has been rather cold and windy for this time of year, with temperatures around eight degrees, and it rains almost every afternoon.

Have a safe journey, and see you very soon!

Love,
Beth

Key phrases

PhraseMeaning
How about meeting up onsuggest a plan
I'll pick you up atoffer to collect someone
Let's meet outside thesuggest a place
That works for me.agree to a plan
See you then!friendly closing

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