IELTS General Training Writing Task 1Â Topic:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are going to visit New Zealand for an ‘English and Homestay’ program.
You have just received details of your homestay host family.
Write your first letter to the family. In your letter
- introduce yourself
- ask the family some questions to get information that is
important to you - tell the family about your arrival date and time
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter:
Dear__________
PLAN YOUR ANSWER:
Step 1: Analyse the task:
Who will receive the letter? – Organization or private individuals
Relationship – Someone you…know well,….a little or ….don’t know
Style and tone – Semi-formal or Personal. Friendly or neutral (and polite)
Step 2: Generate ideas:Â
Introduce yourself – name, nationality, age, occupation, interests; your family
Asking for information – pets? / vegetarian food? / piano?
Meeting – Christchurch / airline name and flight/ arrival time
Step 3: Think it through
Language needed – talking about yourself, asking questions to get information, informing of arrival date and time
Verb tenses – present tense/ present progressive/ occasional future
Talking about self – I’m a …/ I have……./ I like………
Polite questions  –  …….if you don’t mind / Do you have…by chance
Another question I’d like to ask……….
How to start? – Greetings from………! (friendly and enthusiastic)
How to finish? – I’m really excited about………../ Yours sincerely (or “Best wishes”)
Sample Answer for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Topic:
Dear Mr and Mrs. Macintosh,
Greetings from Germany! My name is Gudrun and I’m coming to New Zealand soon to be your homestay guest. I’m writing to tell you about myself and to ask some questions. I’m getting really excited about the trip.
First, then, some information about me. I’m 19 years old and I’m a medical student in Berlin. My father and mother are both doctors. I have an older brother who is studying business in Geneva. I like reading and cooking, and I also play the piano.
There are some things I’d like to ask you. if you don’t mind. Do you have any pets? I’ve always wanted to stay with a family with a dog or cat? Another question I’d like to ask is whether or not you can cook vegetarian food. Finally, do you by chance have a piano? I really should keep practising, if possible.
I’m arriving in Christchurch on SIA 337at 15.35 on the 12th January. I hope you will be able to meet me.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon and I’m getting really excited about the trip.
Yours sincerely,
Gudrun
Notes
- Use of ellipsis (leaving out of words without damaging grammar or meaning) helps written flow (eg: There are some things (that) I’d like to ask you / Another question (that) I’d like to ask you …).
- Appropriate use of contracted forms helps to make the letter a little less formal (eg I’m’, not ‘I am’, I’d not I would’, I’ve not  I have’).
- Use of “about” is common in letters of this kind (eg: tell you about… / information about… / excited about… ).
- It’s fine to use ‘Best wishes’ or ‘All the best’ if you want to sound more friendly when the letter ends. ‘Yours sincerely’ is a safe, neutral option, if that feels more comfortable for a first letter.
10 comments
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