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Simone Braverman

Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and the author of several renowned IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005, Simone has been committed to making IELTS preparation accessible and effective through her books and online resources. Her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.

IELTS Letter, topic: Letting a friend know about your change of plans

This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 3 General Training book, Practice Test 13

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A friend is expecting you to stay with him in two weeks’ time, but unfortunately you forgot that you have a business trip at the same time. Write a letter to your friend.

In your letter,

– apologise and say that you cannot come to visit
– explain why you will not be able to visit
– suggest another time that you could visit

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Tom,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Tom,

I have rather upsetting news for you, for which I am very sorry. Although my stay with you in two weeks has been planned for a while, I will have to cancel.

Yesterday during work, I had another meeting with a colleague regarding the town hall project, which I told you about the past few months. During the conversation, a business trip, which had been planned and booked since last year, came up. I will need to speak to several representatives of other town halls in the area. I had completely forgotten about this, and unfortunately it is at the exact same time as my planned stay at your house. I hope you won’t be too angry with me and allow me to make it up to you in some other way.

Why don’t I come and visit you at the end of your vacation, when you have returned from Europe? I remember you saying that you have three weeks left before going to New York. If that works for you, please get back to me, as I would love to see you before Christmas.

Hope to see you soon!

Best wishes,

Johnny

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters

IELTS test in Uzbekistan – March 2022 (Academic Module)

Our friend K.P. from Uzbekistan shared the following IELTS questions from her recent exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given line graphs describing the amount of time it took four US-based car manufacturers to build a car between 1998 and 2008.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that everyone should look after their health as a duty to the society they live in, rather than their own personal benefit. Do you agree or disagree?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Tell me about your hometown.
– Do you like taking photos?
– What do you like to photograph, people or nature?
– Do you have dreams often?
– Do you usually remember your dreams when you wake up?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time when you visited a new place. Please say

– what the place was
– when you went there
– why you went there
– and explain how you felt when you were there.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you go to new places often?
– How do young children react when they go to school for the first time?
– What about employees, how do they feel on their first day at work?
– Do you think that before traveling people should find out some information about a place they are going to visit?
– What kind of problems can they encounter in the new place?