IELTS General Task 1: Writing A Letter To A Friend Giving Exam Advice

May 25, 2024 | IELTS Test

IELTS General Task 1: You recently received a letter from a friend who is about to take an important exam. He/she has asked you for advice

IELTS General Writing Task 1 is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in written English in everyday situations. 

The purpose of this type of question is to evaluate your ability to:

communicate clearly and effectively, structure your writing, use an appropriate tone and style, and address the task requirements

Make sure to cover all parts of the prompt. This means offering encouragement, giving advice on staying calm and focused, and asking questions about your friend’s future. 

NOTE the 3rd bullet points says you must ask more than one question, if you only ask one question about their future, then you will have only partially covered this bullet point and will have significantly limited your score. 

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

image of a personal workbook

You recently received a letter from a friend who is about to take an important exam. He/she has asked you for advice.  Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

  • give some encouragement
  • offer some advice on staying calm and focused
  • ask some questions about their future

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear …………… ,

Dear Sarah,

I hope this letter finds you well. I was delighted to receive your letter and hear about your upcoming exam. I know you must be feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, but I want to assure you that you’ve got this!

Firstly, believe in yourself. You’ve put in countless hours of hard work and dedication, and it will pay off. Keep a positive mindset and remember that this exam is just one step in your journey.

To stay calm and focused, I suggest setting aside some time each day for relaxation. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even a short walk can do wonders to calm your nerves. Make sure to get plenty of sleep the night before the exam; a well-rested mind performs much better.

On the day of the exam, eat a healthy breakfast and avoid last-minute cramming. Trust in your preparation and approach each question with a clear and focused mind. Break the exam into smaller sections in your head, tackling one part at a time, which can make it feel more manageable.

I’m curious, what are your plans after this exam? Are you considering further studies or jumping straight into your career? I’d love to hear more about your goals and aspirations.

Wishing you all the best. You’ve got this!

Warm regards,

Kristian 

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