Semi-Formal Letter · Recommending a Holiday Destination to a Friend
A complete IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 question with a model answer of 227 words, plus a breakdown of the sentence structures, cohesive devices and vocabulary that answer uses. Write your own version first, then compare.
Written by Manish Sharma · CELTA and DELTA qualified · 8 years teaching IELTS
Score my answer to this questionThe question
You have 20 minutes. Write at least 150 words.
A friend has written to you asking for advice on where to travel for a two-week holiday next year. You recently visited a destination that you think would suit them well. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - Tell them where you went and when - Describe what you most enjoyed about the destination - Explain why you think it would suit your friend Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Priya,
How to approach it
- 01Use the given salutation 'Dear Priya,' and sign off informally with 'Lots of love' or similar
- 02Maintain a warm, friendly tone — contractions are fine, but avoid slang
- 03Cover all three bullets with clear paragraphing
- 04Be specific about places, dates, and food rather than generic praise
- 05Tie the recommendation to your friend's known preferences — that addresses the third bullet directly
- 06Close with a friendly forward-looking sentence offering to help further
Model answer
227 words in 7 paragraphs. Read it after you have written your own, not before: the point of a model answer is to show you what you missed, and you cannot miss anything you have not attempted.
Dear Priya,
It was lovely to hear that you are planning a proper two-week break next year, and I am delighted that you asked for my advice on where to go. I have just the place in mind.
In March of this year I spent twelve days in Sri Lanka, mostly travelling between Kandy in the central hills and the south coast around Mirissa. The country is the perfect size for a fortnight — close enough to drive between very different landscapes, but never rushed. I was lucky to travel just before the busy summer season, so flights and guesthouses were also reasonably priced.
What I enjoyed most was the variety. One day I was walking through tea plantations and visiting Buddhist temples in the cool hills, and the next I was watching whales from a small boat off the south coast. The food was another highlight, especially the home-cooked curries served at the small family-run guesthouses we stayed in.
I really think Sri Lanka would suit you. You love nature and being outdoors but also enjoy a proper city break, and the country offers both within a few hours' drive. The people are also remarkably kind to solo female travellers, which I know matters to you.
Let me know if you would like me to share my route and favourite places to stay.
Lots of love, Maya
What this answer actually does
Measured from the text above, and compared against the other 31 answers of the same type in this library. These are counts, not band scores: they describe what the writing does, which is the part you can copy.
3 more than the median answer for this task type
4 words at the shortest, 31 at the longest
the same as the median answer for this task type
carry a subordinate or relative clause
Sentence rhythm
Sentences average 17.5 words and vary by 8.6 words either side of that, running from 4 words to 31. Variation is the point. Grammatical Range and Accuracy rewards a mix of simple and complex sentences, and an answer where every sentence is the same length reads as flat no matter how correct it is. 3 of the 13 sentences here carry a subordinate or relative clause.
The cohesive devices it uses
2 in total, spread across 1 different functions. Range matters more than count: an answer that opens every paragraph with a sequencer signals its structure but never signals a relationship between ideas, and Coherence and Cohesion is marked on both.
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Vocabulary and repetition
Ignoring grammar words, 78 per cent of the content words in this answer are distinct, and 64 per cent appear exactly once. Lexical Resource is where repetition costs the most marks, and the usual cause is not a small vocabulary but reaching for the same noun every time the topic is named.
The longest run of words copied straight from the question is 4 words. Examiners discount wording lifted from the question, so a short run here is the right outcome: the answer restates the topic in its own words rather than borrowing the question's.
What you are marked on
All four criteria carry equal weight, and your Writing band is their average rounded to the nearest half band.
Task Achievement
Address all three bullet points with relevant detail and a clear personal recommendation.
Coherence & Cohesion
Use a friendly paragraph structure with clear progression through the bullets.
Lexical Resource
Use varied semi-formal vocabulary for travel, recommendation, and personal preference.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Use past, present, and modal structures accurately throughout.
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