Use the greeting, sign-off and paragraph plan below for this formal 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.
You recently spent a month with a host family while studying abroad.
Write a letter to Mr and Mrs Walker, your host family. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr and Mrs Walker,
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
A letter to a named person ends Yours sincerely, followed by your full 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 Mr and Mrs Walker,
I am writing to thank you most warmly for your wonderful hospitality during my month in your home. I arrived as a nervous stranger, and you made me feel like part of the family from the very first day.
There were so many things that I enjoyed, but the best of all were our weekend trips. I will never forget the day we spent walking in the hills with your dog, and the picnic we had by the lake. I also loved the evenings when we cooked together and you taught me how to make your delicious apple pie. Those conversations helped my English more than any lesson at school.
Since coming back, I have told all my friends and family about my stay, and I have already shown them the photographs we took together.
I would be delighted if you could visit me in Kazakhstan next summer. My parents would be very happy to welcome you, and I would love to show you my city and introduce you to our food.
Thank you again for everything.
Yours sincerely,
Aigerim Bekova
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I am writing to thank you for | formal opening for a thank-you letter |
| Your support made a real difference. | say that someone's help mattered |
| I greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into | show you value someone's work |
| I would be happy to return the favour. | offer to help in the future |
| Once again, thank you for | repeat thanks in the 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.