IELTS General Writing Task 1 informal Topics/Questions 2023
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This section presents a list of common IELTS General Writing Task 1 informal topics. All these topics were added in 2023 by students who took the IELTS recently. Pick a random topic and start practicing and improving your writing skills.
informal
An English-speaking friend has written to you to ask you how your studies are going. Write a letter to the friend: tell your friend how you are preparing for the exam. tell him/her how you feel about it. tell him your expectations.
informal
There is a public event coming up in your town. Write a letter to your friend who you think would be interested to take part in it. In your letter, you should:
describe the event
say why you think he/she would be interested suggest an arrangement to meet there with him/he.
informal
An English speaking friend wants to spend a two-weeks holiday in your region and has written asking for information and advice
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
offer to find somewhere to stay
give advice about what to do
give information about what clothes to bring
informal
You have just learned that your friend has recently become engaged.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
● tell him/her how you found out
● explain how you feel about the news
● organise to meet your friend for a celebration
informal
You have recently started work in a new company. Write a letter to an English speaking friend. In your letter
- Explain why you changed job
- Describe your new job
- Tell him/her your other news
informal
You and a friend recently went on a holiday together. There is a problem with the photos you have taken during the holiday. Write a letter to your friend to ask for a particular shot.
In your letter
• tell him/her about the problem with your photos
• say which photo you would like him/her to send you
• explain why you need this photo.
informal
You have been invited to the engagement party of a friend from another country. You cannot go but you have bought a gift for him/her.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter
• say how you feel about the engagement
• explain why you cannot go
• tell your friend about the gift you have bought for him/her
informal
An Australian friend is coming to visit you, and it will be his/her birthday during the visit. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
• say how you feel about the visit?
• suggest what you could do on his/her birthday?
• ask what your friend thinks of your idea?
Write at least 150 words
You do not need to write any addresses
Begin your letter as follows
Dear….
informal
You arranged to visit a friend in England but an important event at home now means that you must change the dates of visit.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
-Explain the important
-Apologize for the situation
-Suggest a new arrangement
informal
You plan to do some traveling in a few months. You would like to visit an old friend who lives in another country. You haven’t spoken to this friend in a few years.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- Provide a short update about your life since you saw him/her last
- Explain why you will be traveling to his/her city
- Say what you would like to do when you visit his/her city
informal
You have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six-year-old child.
Write a letter to the parents. In your letter
- explain why you would lile the job
-give details of why you would be a suitable person to employ
-say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia.
informal
You bought a football match ticket. However, you are unable to go. So you want to offer the ticket to your friend.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
explain the football tournament
why you are unable to go
how can your friend get the ticket
informal
You recently spent a weekend with your friend in her/his new house.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, you should:
explain what you like about his new house
tell what you enjoyed most during your staying
Suggest when and where you could meet next time with
her/him.
informal
You are currently trying to improve your knowledge of a language which is not your first language. You have a friend who speaks this language fluently. You have decided to write to this friend Write a letter to your friend.In your letter, Explain why you want to improve your knowledge of this language ask him/her for suggestions on how to learn more quickly. propose that you meet your friend to talk about it. Write at least 150 words.
informal
Your friend is about to celebrate a landmark birthday and would welcome suggestions as to how it should be celebrated. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
* Say what type of party should be held e.g. themed, fancy dress, black tie event
* Suggest a suitable venue
* Make a recoomendation as to entertainment e.g. Dj, jazz band etc.
informal
You are planning to go on a holiday in an English-speaking country where one of your friend resides. Please write him a letter and let him know about the upcoming trip. In your letter;
- Ask for recommendations for place to visit during your trip.
- Ask about accommodations.
- Advice on program that you and your friend can do together once you will meet him
informal
One of your neighbor’s children has accidentally broken the front window of your car. You should write a letter to his/her parents and in your letter you should
• introduce yourself
• explain how it happened
• and what they should do.
informal
You have borrowed something from your friend and it got damaged.
Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:
- apologise for the damage to the item
- explain what happened
- say how you are going to fix the issue
informal
You are going to throw a party and would like to cook a special dish for your guests but do not have the recipe. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
tell your friend why you are having a party
explain what dish you want to cook and ask your friend for the recipe
invite your friend to the party
informal
you have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six year old child.
write a letter to the parents. in your letter
explain why you would like the job
give details of why you would be suitable person to employ.
say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia
informal
A Canadian friend recently sent you a present by post. You want to thank him/her.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
-say how you felt when you received the present
-describe what you like about it
-explain how you will use the present
informal
Your friend is asking for your advice. He is going to university and can't decide whether to study music or business management. Write a letter
- How you felt when you got the letter
- What the good points are for both sides and
- What your advice is
informal
A foreign friend of yours plans to visit your place and stay with you, but you are not available on that date. Give your friend another alternate date for the visit.
In your letter, you should:
-apologies for it
-explain what you are doing on that date
-suggest to him/her an alternate time to come.
informal
a close friend is coming to visit you. S/he has asked you for advice for things to do in your hometown and the surrounding area.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
• Ask for more details about your friend's plans.
• Suggest some places to visit and things to do in your hometown.
• Tell your friend about food or drink s/he should try during his/her stay.
informal
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Your friend is thinking about learning to drive and would like some advice.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• say why a driving licence is advantageous
• recommend a driving school
• give any extra guidance/tips
informal
Task 1: Write a letter to a friend telling them about an interesting website you found. Tell your friend: How you found it - How it can help - How you use it [150 words minimum] *
informal
You play a team sport with some friends. Last week a member of the team had an accident and wasn't able to play with you
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
• Tell him which team won
• Describe the weather conditions that day
• Say how you felt about the match
informal
Write a letter to friend to inform them of a celebration you are having for a recent job promotion. Include information about
informal
you are planning for a vacation and want your friend to go with you write a letter to your friend
in your letter you should
tell him/her why you want to take a vacation
describe your vacation
invite him/her to go with you
informal
You recently stayed with a childhood friend for a few days.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
Thank your friend for letting you stay with them.
refer to something enjoyable that you did while staying with him/her
invite your friend to visit you
informal
Instructions
Read the question below and write a letter.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Write at least 150 words.
You recently stayed with a childhood friend for a few days.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
Thank your friend for letting you stay with them.
refer to something enjoyable that you did while staying with him/her
invite your friend to visit you
informal
You have a Facebook friend living in another country and s/he is curious to learn about a major news item in your country.
Write a letter to your Facebook friend. In your letter
describe a news story in your country
explain why people are interested in it
say how the story personally relates to you
informal
A friend who lives in a different city has invited you to his/her daughter's 8th birthday. However, you can not accept the invitation due to some personal reasons.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter:
· thank him for the invitation
· mention why you can not attend the birthday party
· offer to meet him some other day
informal
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You stayed with your friend and by mistake carried home one of his objects. Write a
letter and explain:
- How you enjoyed staying with your friend.
- Explain the object which you brought with you by mistake and explain how the
mistake happened.
- Mention how you plan to return the object.
Write at least 150 words.
Model Answer
informal
Your english-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport.
Write an email to your friend. In your letter
Recommend a new sport that would be suitable for your friend to learn
Explain how your friend could learn this sport
Suggest that you both learn this sport together
informal
2020-01-11: Task 1
You visited a town last month and told your friend that you would like to meet. However, you could not make it. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter, you should:
express your apology
why you could not meet
making arrangements to meet him.
informal
You have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six-year-old child
Write a letter to the parents.In your letter
•explain why you would like the job
•give details of why you would be a suitable person to employ.
•say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia.
informal
You want to sell some of your funiture. You think a friend of yours might like to buy it from you.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
> explain why you are selling
> describe the furniture
> suggest a date when your friend can come and see the furniture
informal
You have just spent a week with a friend on holiday. When you got home, you realized you had left your wallet there.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
•thank your friend for the holiday
•explain that you left your wallet in their house
•give them instructions of how to send it back to you
informal
A friend wants to spend a two-week holiday in your city and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter,
offer to find somewhere to stay
give advice about what to do
give information about what clothes to bring
informal
You are going to have a party. you would like to invite a friend who lives in a city that is a long way from your home. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
. explain why you are having the party
. describe your plans for the party
. suggested how your friend can travel to the party and where he/she can stay
informal
Your Friend is thinking about learning to drive and would like some advice write a letter ?
informal
You went to another city for a training course and stayed at a friend's house for a week. They have been great hosts.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter,
thank them for having you at their house for a week
express your gratitude for their hospitality
say how much you miss them
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear .................,
informal
you have been offered a job that will require you to move to a city that you have never visited before. You have a friend who lives there.
Write a letter to your friend. in your letter.
-explain your situation.
-say why you feel unsure about living in the city.
-ask some questions about life in the city.
informal
Your Australian friend is thinking about making a short visit to your country, and intends to visit a particular tourist attraction during his/her stay. However, you feel that it would be better for your friend to visit a different tourist attraction.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
recommend a good time for your friend to visit your country
say why it would be better to visit a different tourist attraction
suggest that you and your friend meet
informal
Your friend recently moved to a new home and you would like to give him a present for the house. Write a letter to your friend
informal
Essay topics:
You are preparing an outdoor event. Write a letter to your friend to ask for help with the arrangements.
What the event is
Why the event will happen
How your friend can help you
informal
Your friend is thinking about learning to drive and would like some advice.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
Say why a driving license is advantageous
recommend a driving school
give any extra guidance/tips
informal
Write a letter to a foreign friend who has asked if they can stay with you when visiting your country. Include
Why you do not have time to host them
An alternate date
Recommendations for what to do
informal
A friend of yours is thinking of going to a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He has asked for your advice.
Write a letter to your friends. In your letter,
Explain why you think your friend would enjoy camping holiday
describe some possible disadvantages
say whether you would like to go on camping with your friend this summer
informal
You have decided to go on a holiday to a foreign country for 2 weeks, and you want one of your friends to go with you.
Write a letter to your friend asking him to accompany you, in your letter,
- Explain where and when you want to go
- Give details of the travel, dates and costs involved
- Describe some of the things you want to do
informal
You are preparing an event in the countryside .
Write a letter to your friend and ask for help with the arrangements . In your letter ,
•Describe the event
•Mention what arrangements have already been done
•Say how your friend can help
informal
Your friend will be staying at home but you can be their with him because of some reasons so write letter in which you can explain
How to the keys
How to use electrical appliances
Recommend some interesting places to visit.
informal
You happened to witness a film being shot in your locality. Write a letter in 120-150 words to a friend describing your experience. You are Rani/Raman. 15. Vinay Nagar. Doty. ADS. 15. Vinay Nagar, Ooty.
informal
You recently moved to a new address. You want to tell a friend who lives in another city about your new home. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: explain why you moved, describe your new home, invite your friend to visit you.
informal
A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter,
-Explain why you think he/she would enjoy a camping holiday
-Describe some possible disadvantages
-Say whether you would like to go camping with him/her.
informal
Write a letter to a friend. In your letter
Tell your friend about the job and what sort of work it involves
Say why you think the job would be suitable for hime
Explain how to apply for the job
informal
You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter
-Say why he/she would not enjoy going to college
-Explain why getting a job is a good idea for him/her
-Suggest types of job that would be suitable for him/her
informal
A friend of yours is thinking of going to a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: *Explain why you think your friend would enjoy camping holiday
*describe some possible disadvantages
*say whether you would like to go on camping with your friend this summer
informal
**You have borrowed something from your friend and it got damaged.**
**Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:**
- **apologise for the damage to the item**
- **explain what happened**
- **say how you are going to fix the issue**
informal
Write a letter to your friend about a job offer that can be suitable for her
Describe the job
facilities available
Is the job suitable for her
informal
You are going away to travel for the summer. A friend will be looking after your house while you are away.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
say where you are going,
describe your home
explain some of the things your friend must do to look after your house.
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear _________,
informal
A friend has agreed to look after your house and child while you go out drinking.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Give contact details for when you are away.
Give instructions on how to take care of your child.
Describe other household duties.
informal
You are living in a city in a foreign country and a friend from your home country is soon coming to visit your for several days.
Write an letter
informal
write a letter to your friend missing the date you have planned.tell them how you tried to contact them but it didnot worked out either.
informal
You borrowed something from your friend, later it got damaged. Write letter to your friend.
In your letter, you should:
• apology about the issue
• tell how it got damaged
• say you are going to fix this issue.
informal
Write a letter to a friend asking for a recipe from his/her country for the party you are organizing. In your letter
– Tell your friend about the party
– Ask for the recipe
– Explain why you need the recipe from his/her country.
informal
Your friend is celebrating her Birthday soon and has invited you to a party. But you are unable to come because you are going to attend an important meeting that day.
Write a letter to your friend and
* thank her for the invitation;
* explain why you cannot come;
* propose to meet on other day;
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mary,
informal
You have just moved to a new apartment.
Write a letter to your friend inviting them to come to your new home. In the letter you should:
Explain why you moved.
Describe your new home.
tell them how to get to your apartment.
informal
An English-speaking friend is coming to study in your town next year and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
• Offer to find a place for him / her to live
• Give advice about how to find a part-time job
• Give information on where he / she can learn your language
informal
Your friend has booked a holiday for both of you. However, you are not happy with the hotel arrangements and want to change them. Write a letter to your friend.
In the letter, mention:
How excited you are for this holiday with him/her
Why are you not happy with the hotel?
Which alternatives would you prefer?
informal
Your friend had made a plan for you to see a movie together but you cannot now not join him. You’ve found another friend who can go instead of you.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Explain why you cannot go anymore
Say who can go instead of you
Say why this person is a good person to go with
informal
Write a letter to a friend telling them about an interesting website you found. Tell your friend
How you found it
How it can help
How you use it
informal
You recently took a trip to another city, and you had a plan to visit your friend who is living there. However, you couldn’t see him/her. Write a letter to your friend, and
Apologize for not being able to meet.
Give your reasons.
Suggest how you can meet some other time.
informal
You are going to work in another city for a year. A friend who lives there offered to help you find a place to live.
Write a letter to your friend:
Express your gratitude to him/her
Describe the area that you want to live in
Explain what type of accommodation you are looking f
informal
A close friend stayed at your house for a few days and forgot to take his watch when he left. Write a letter to this friend and:
Inform him that he has forgotten his watch
Explain why you can’t post it.
Ask if he can pick it up.
informal
Write a letter to your friend in another country where you like to visit for the holidays. In your letter, you should:
• explain your travel plans
• describe the interesting places you plan to visit
• ask for suggestions for sightseeing options.
informal
A friend you made while you were studying abroad would like to spend a semester studying in your country. He/She has written to ask for your advice.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter
1. Describe why you think he/she will enjoy it
2. Explain why you recommend studying at your university
3. give some advice about how to apply
Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear_________,
informal
There will be a traditional celebration in your country and you want to invite your friend from an English speaking country . Write him/her a letter and invite your friend. Explain what happens at the party describe the tradition and why itʼs important in your country say why itʼs important for your friend to be there .
informal
You stayed at your friend’s house when you attended a conference in Australia. Unfortunately, you left a large envelope with some important documents in your room. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:
• thank your friend for the stay
• describe where you left the envelope
• ask him/her to return it to you by post
informal
You have a friend who lives in a city abroad.
You have decided that you would like to apply to do a course at one of the colleges in the city.
Write a letter to your friend:,
1.Explain what you like to do.
2.Tell him/her what type of work or studies you had completed.
3.Ask for assistance in connecting an appropriate institution
informal
You have a Facebook friend living in another country and s/he is curious to learn about a major news item in your country.
Write a letter to your Facebook friend. In your letter
describe a news story in your country
explain why people are interested in it
say how the story personally relates to you
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ...,
You should write at least 150 words.
informal
You are planning to travel abroad and would like a friend to take care of your apartment annd pet cat while you are away:
write a letter to your friend:
explain how long and why will you be away
describe the tasks you would like your friend to do
tell your friend that he is welcome to stay in your apartment
informal
You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter
. say why he/she would not enjoy going to college
. explian why getting a job is good idea for him/her
. suggest types of jobs that would be suitable for him/her
informal
You are going away to travel for the summer. A friend will be looking after your house while you are away.
Write a letter your friend. In your letter:
Say where you are going
Describe your house
Explain some of the things your friend must do to look after your house
• You should write at least 150 words.
• You do NOT need to write your own address.
informal
Write a letter to your friend and ask him recipe to cook for a party that you are giving in your home.
-tell him why you are having a party
-tell him why you need a specific recipe
-invite your friend to the party
informal
Your friend delivered a baby girl. Congratulate her on this good news and write how you feel. In your letter, explain your situation about your
inability to come and see her in person.
In your letter:
Say how happy you are on this news
Explain your situation that you could not attend this important occasion
What gifts you have brought for her
informal
You have been busy with your studies for the past month and haven't had time to visit your family.
Write a letter to your grandmother. In your letter:
Apologize for not getting in touch with her sooner
Explain why you have been so busy
Arrange a time to visit
Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Grandmother,
informal
Your friend is coming over to stay with you. However, you will be away on vacation for a month. Write him/her a letter and say:
– How to get the keys to your flat
– How to operate the equipment in the flat, and
– Suggest a few places of interest to visit
informal
Write a letter to a friend expressing your interest to seek employment in a different country. Your letter should include:
– Why you want to work in a different country
– What type of work you will be looking for
– Questions you have about working in a different country that your friend may be able to answer
informal
You recently moved to a different house. Write a letter to an English speaking friend.
Explain why you have moved
Describe the new house
Invite your friend to come and visit.
informal
Your friend invited you to his\her party, but you are unable to attend. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
1- explain why you cannot come
2- give your reason for not contacting your friend sooner.
3- suggest another time to meet.
informal
You will be celebrating your son’s 8th birthday next week. You want to invite one of your colleagues to attend the birthday party. Write an invitation letter to this college. In your letter,
invite your colleague to your son’s birthday party
give details of the party and its date and time
say how happy you and your family would be to have him/her at the party
informal
You read an article in a magazine recently which might be useful for you and your friend's job. Write a letter to your friend and say -Describe an article and its content, explain why it is good for you, why would it be helpful for your friend?
informal
You are staying in an alien country. You have recently received a letter from your wife in which she has complained of your son's activities. Write a letter to your son to counsel him. In your letter, write:
what you came to know about his behaviour
why you are upset about such activities
what kind of behaviour you are expecting from him
informal
A friend of yours is thinking of going on a campus holiday for the first time this summer. He / She has asked for your advice.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday
- describe some possible disadvantages
- say whether you would like to camping with your friend this summer
Write at least 150 words.
You do not need to write any addresses
Begin your letter as follow:
Dear….,
informal
You want to study in another country in some university. You need an accommodation to stay. Your friend is studying in the same university. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
Give details about your study plans
What type of accommodation are you looking for
Suggest how your friend can search a place for you.
Write at least 150 words.
You do not need to write any addresses.
informal
A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He/She has asked for your advice.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
* explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday
* describe some possible dasadvantages
* say whether you would like to go camping with your friend this summer
informal
A friend has invited you to a family dinner at his/her place.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
thank him/her for inviting you
ask for suggestions what you want to bring as a gift
make suggestions about his/her visit to your place
informal
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are going to another country to study. You would like to do a part-time job while you are studying, so you want to ask a friend who lives there for some help.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
give details of your study plans
explain why you want to get a part-time job
suggest how your friend could help you find a job
You should write at least 150 words.