General Task 1IntermediateTarget: Band 7.0–7.5

Informal Letter Template

Natural conversational flow featuring colloquialisms, appropriate paragraphing for the prompt points, and a warm tone throughout.

Paragraph Structure

Salutation & Opening

Dear Name, It’s been a while since we last spoke! I hope everything is going great with you and your family.

Elevate the opening with an idiomatic phrase ('It's been a while').

Point 1 (The exciting news)

I’m writing because I wanted to let you know that Information. You won't believe it, but Detail.

State the purpose naturally. Add an emotional hook like 'You won't believe it'.

Point 2 (The follow-up details)

It’s been quite exhausting sorting everything out, but Detail 2. Furthermore, Detail 3.

Provide depth to the situation. Use linking words, but keep them relatively informal ('Anyway', 'Besides', rather than 'Furthermore').

Point 3 & Closing (The Call to Action)

By the way, I was wondering if you’d like to Request or Invitation. It would be amazing to catch up properly. Give my best to everyone! Warmly, Your Name

Transition to the request smoothly ('By the way'). End with a warm, personal closing.

Useful Phrases

It’s been a while since we last spoke!

I hope everything is going great with you...

I’m writing because I wanted to let you know that...

You won't believe it, but...

It’s been quite exhausting... but...

By the way, I was wondering if you’d like to...

It would be amazing to catch up properly.

Give my best to everyone!

Sample Answer

Dear Sarah, It’s been a while since we last spoke! I hope everything is going great with you and your family down in London. I’m writing because I wanted to let you know that I finally moved into my new apartment! You won't believe it, but I actually managed to find a place right in the city center. It’s on the fourth floor, and the living room has these huge windows that let in so much sunlight. It’s been quite exhausting sorting out all the boxes, but I think the hard part is over. I've already set up the guest bedroom, which is why I’m writing to you. By the way, I was wondering if you’d like to come stay for the weekend next month? It would be amazing to catch up properly and maybe check out some of the local cafes. Let me know what dates work for you! Give my best to Mark. Warmly, Emma

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing formal and informal tones

Writing 'Hey buddy, I would like to formally request your presence' is jarring to read.

Fix: Keep the vocabulary consistently relaxed. Use 'ask' instead of 'request', 'get' instead of 'obtain', 'need' instead of 'require'.

Not inventing enough detail

If the prompt says 'describe your new house', just writing 'It is big and nice' doesn't show enough vocabulary.

Fix: Make up specific details. Invent a location, describe the windows, mention a specific room.

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