# Letter inviting a friend to visit your new home: IELTS Writing Task 1 samples

Writing Task 1 - General Training - Friends

You have recently moved to a new home in a different town, and you would like an old friend to come and stay with you.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sam,

You should say:
- describe your new home
- suggest when your friend could visit
- say what you could do together during the visit

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 7 sample

Dear Sam,

How are things with you? I hope you're enjoying your new job. I've got some exciting news - I've just moved into a new flat and I really want you to come and visit me!

The flat is on the third floor of an old building near the city centre. It's not very big, but it has a balcony where I can sit in the evenings and a spare bedroom, so you can stay as long as you want. My neighbours are friendly too, and one of them have invited me for dinner.

Would you be free during the second weekend of November? I know you are busy with work, but I am sure a short break will do you good. You could come on Friday evening and leave on Sunday afternoon.

While you're here, we could go to the night market, which is famous for its street food, and on Saturday we could visit the old castle. Also, I would be very grateful if you could bring my camera that I left at your house last year.

Can't wait to see you!

Best wishes,

Nadia

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 letter covers all three bullets with a friendly, natural tone and helpful details such as the balcony and the night market. However, "I would be very grateful if you could" is too formal for a close friend, and the request about the camera is not part of the task. The language is generally accurate, with good use of contractions, though "one of them have" is an agreement error. A Band 8 letter would bring the new home to life with more vivid detail and keep the register consistent.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-1/letter-inviting-friend-to-visit-new-home).

## Common questions

### How many words should I write?

At least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing a little more is fine; an answer under the minimum loses marks.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Memorised material is marked down and you will not get this exact question. Use the samples to see what each band does with the same task.