Use the greeting, sign-off and paragraph plan below for this semi-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.
A neighbour helped you carry furniture when you moved into your new flat.
Write a letter to your neighbour, Mr Peters. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr Peters,
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
A letter to someone you know but not closely can end Kind regards or Best wishes as well as Yours sincerely, followed by your 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 Peters,
I just wanted to write and thank you properly for all your help when I moved into the flat next door on Saturday. I do not know what I would have done without you.
When the removal van arrived and I realised that the driver was alone, I was worried that I would be carrying everything myself. It was so kind of you to come over straight away and to spend almost three hours helping me with the heavy things, including the sofa and the wardrobe, which we had to take up three flights of stairs.
Your help made the day so much easier. Without you, I think the move would have taken twice as long, and I would probably have damaged something. It also meant a great deal to me to be welcomed so warmly in a new place, where I do not know anyone yet.
I would like to invite you for coffee and cake one afternoon next week, when I will have unpacked a little more. Would Wednesday at about four o'clock suit you?
Thank you again for everything.
Kind regards,
Kevin O'Brien
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I just wanted to say thank you for | warm, polite opening |
| I really appreciated | say you valued something |
| It meant a great deal to me. | say something was very important |
| I'd love to return the favour some time. | offer to help in future |
| Thanks again for everything. | 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.