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 supported you through a difficult few months at work.
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 Katya,
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 Katya,
I've been meaning to write to you for a while. I wanted to say a huge thank you for the way you supported me during the last few months. I really don't know what I would have done without you.
Work was so difficult then: my manager was putting me under pressure, and I started to doubt myself. Every time I spoke to you, you listened patiently and never judged me. You sent me encouraging messages when I felt low, and you even came round with dinner one evening.
Your advice helped me to see things more clearly. When you told me to speak honestly to my manager about the workload, I was scared, but I did it, and it really made a difference.
I'm happy to say that things are much better now. The project is finished, my manager has hired another colleague to help, and I finally have my weekends back.
Let's meet soon, and please let me do something for you in return.
Love,
Maria
| 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 can't tell you how much it meant to me. | show strong feeling |
| I owe you one! | promise to return a favour |
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