IELTS general sample: You have won a holiday to Hawaii with one extra ticket. Write a letter to someone to invite them along with you. In the letter: – Explain what has happened and that you would like them to come – Give details of when the trip will take place – Inform the person of the things they will need for the trip

✍️ Want to check your own essay?Write on this topic →
Dear Mr Smith, I have recently won a holiday to Hawaii.
In addition
Linking Words
, I can take another person for free with me.
Although
Linking Words
I could enjoy the vacation just for myself, I would like to share
this
Linking Words
experience with someone else.
Therefore
Linking Words
, I would like to invite you to come with me. I will give you some details about the trip. Our adventure starts on the 27th June.
However
Linking Words
, everything is already scheduled , and we have nothing to think about .
Furthermore
Linking Words
, we will be picked up at 10 a.m at the train station in Lucerne , and a bus will bring us to the airport in Zurich and back as well. The return will take place at 4 p.m. on 12 July.
Although
Linking Words
it is well organised, you need to email me your passport number or a photo of the document by tomorrow. On the date of departure, you need to bring your vaccination document and your original identity card. Another important thing is not to forget your swimming clothes , of course.
Overall
Linking Words
, I would be pleased with your presence. Please reply by 8 p.m. today if you would like to come. Yours sincerely, Tom

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

task response
Score: 8. The task is fully answered. To make it even better, say how long the trip is and add one or two things you hope to do in Hawaii.
task response
“Dear Mr Smith” is quite formal. If this is a friend, use “Dear John” and a warmer, more friendly style.
coherence and cohesion
Score: 8. The order is clear. You can make it more direct by using fewer long lines, such as “Although I could enjoy the vacation just for myself...”
coherence and cohesion
Put all travel details in one short part: date, pick-up time, place, and return time. This will make the plan even easier to read.
coherence and cohesion
Check spaces before commas and full stops: write “scheduled,” not “scheduled ,” and “about.” not “about .”
task response
You cover all three parts: the win and invite, the trip time, and what your friend needs.
task response
You give clear dates, times, and key papers to bring.
coherence and cohesion
Your letter has a clear start, middle, and end. Each part is easy to follow.
coherence and cohesion
Words like “Therefore”, “However”, and “Furthermore” help link your ideas.
coherence and cohesion
The greeting and closing are polite and fit a formal letter.
Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately

Linking words are very important in your essay.

To score effectively on your IELTS exam, you should make an effort to implement short concise sentences coupled with linking words.

Almost every sentence in your essay should have a linking word of some sort.

In fact, the only sentences that can omit linking words are your background sentence and thesis.

Linking word examples:

  • firstly
  • secondly
  • thirdly
  • in additional
  • moreover
  • also
  • for example
  • for instance
  • therefore
  • however
  • although
  • even though
  • despite
What to do next:
Look at other essays: