IELTS Writing Lesson 1 for IELTS Writing Task 1, 2 & Sample Answers

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Topic:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You arranged to visit a friend in England but an important event at home now means that you must change the dates of the visit.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

• explain the important event
• apologise for the situation
• suggest a new arrangement

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear………………………,

PLAN YOUR ANSWER:

Practice:

Using verb forms, complete the sample answer then look at the full sample answer below.

Dear Carla,

How……….things with you? I’m afraid something………….come up here which …………probably ……… my visit to England. Last week I___________ _______to play tennis for my regional team in a national tournament. It was completely unexpected. I’m Sony but this probably means that I………………be able to visit you for the first week of April, as we…………planned. I must stay here and practise until the tournament ……… later that month.

I wonder if it……..possible for me to visit you later in the year. I can take some time off in early August and my air ticket can be………. with no problem. Is August a possibility for you? Please________and……….-.me know what your reaction…………..I’m sure you realise that it’s an honour to be selected to represent your region and so I__________________to miss this great opportunity. I hope you

I’m ………forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Francoise

BUILD YOUR LANGUAGE SKILL

1 Synonyms

Which word or expression in the sample answer could these replace?

                                                               Sample answer expression
happened (paragraph 1)                      ………………………….
selected (1)                                              ………………………….
totally (1)                                                 ………………………….
starts (1)                                                  ………………………….
get leave (2)                                            ………………………….
an option (2)                                          ………………………….
response (3)                                           ………………………….

2 Prepositions

What prepositions are used in these extracts from the sample answer
(Try to answer or guess before you look!)

• How are things……………..you?
• I was chosen to play tennis……………..my regional team
• I wonder if it’s possible ………….me to visit you…
• I can take some time off……………early August
• Is August a possibility…………….you?

3 Personalising a request, wish or explanation

Match the feeling that the writer uses to ‘soften’and personalise the communication with the
appropriate explanation, wish or request from the sample answer.

Feeling                                                                   explanation, wish or request
I’m looking forward                                                  you’ll understand
I’m afraid                                                                    if it’s possible
I hope                                                                          but this probably means that I won’t be able to visit you
I wonder                                                                     to hearing from you
I’m sorry                                                                     something has come up

Sample Answer for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 Topic:

Dear Carla,

How are things with you? I’m afraid something has come up here which will probably affect my visit to England. Last week I was chosen to play tennis for my regional team in a national tournament, it was completely unexpected. I’m sorry but this probably means that I won’t be able to visit you for the first week of April, as we had planned. I must stay here and practise until the tournament begins, later that month.

I wonder if it is possible for me to visit you later in the year. I can take some time off in early August and my air ticket can be changed with no problem. Is August a possibility for you?

Please ‘write and let me know what your reaction is. I’m sure you realise that it’s an honour to be selected to represent your region and so I don’t want to miss this great opportunity. I hope you’ll understand.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you,

Best wishes,

Françoise

Note
• Notice that the tone of the letter is friendly but polite and gentle because the receiving friend may be disappointed and is also being asked to change her plans.
• ‘as we had planned’ is used to indicate that the original arrangements were made before the news of being selected to play tennis for the region.
• The order of words is important in the expression ‘…let me know what your reaction is’. Tht verb is placed at the end of the sentence, not in its more common position next to ‘whit’.
• Ending with ‘Best wishes’ is one of several options in a letter to a friend — ‘All thi but’ La another, love,’ might be used between really close friends.