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 helped you practise for a job interview, and you got the job.
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 Mina,
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 Mina,
Guess what? I got the job! I wanted to tell you first, because I honestly don't think I'd have done it without you.
The company phoned me on Friday afternoon and offered me the position of marketing assistant. I'm still in shock! I start on the first of next month, and the salary is even better than I'd hoped.
Thank you so much for all your help. You gave up two whole evenings to practise with me, and you asked me all the difficult questions I was dreading. When they asked me about my weaknesses in the interview, I remembered exactly what you'd told me, and I could answer without panicking.
I'd love to celebrate with you. How about dinner this Saturday, my treat, at that new Japanese restaurant near the station? You really deserve it, and I want to hear every detail about how the interview went!
Thank you again for being such a great friend.
Love,
Sabina
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Thanks a lot for | informal thank-you |
| You really didn't have to | show surprise at a kind act |
| It was so kind of you. | praise a kind act |
| I owe you one! | promise to return a favour |
| Write back soon! | friendly closing |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.