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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: Asking your friend to accompany you on a holiday

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 1 General Training book, Practice Test 5

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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

You should write at least 150 words.

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

Dear John,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear John,

I have recently been given a trip to France as a reward for my hard work at my company, and I may choose someone to come with me.

As you studied French at university and are therefore not only familiar with the language, but also the culture, I’d love it if you could come with me. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the holiday, as you do not just have to translate, but you can also appreciate the beauties of France with me.

We will leave Toronto on the third of September and will fly back on the nineteenth. In France we will arrive in Paris, we will stay there for four days and then take a bus to see the Provence region for around three days. From there, we will take the train to Marseille and Cannes, as these are the most popular cities in the south. Finally, one of my colleagues will take us back to Paris by car, as he is going there on a business trip. We will only need to have spending money as flights, other travel and accommodation are all included.

There are a few things I’d like to see, for example the Louvre museum in Paris, the Chateau of Versailles and the Picasso Museum in the south of France. I hope you’ll have some ideas as well.

Please tell me if you are interested in this trip. I would really appreciate having you as company and I look forward to hearing back from you!

Best wishes,

Dave

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters

IELTS Speaking test in India – July 2021

Our kind friend A. shared the questions he was asked in a recent IELTS Speaking test in India:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– What shall I call you?
– Where do you live?
– Do you live in a house or an apartment?
– What does your house look like?
– What can you see from the windows of your house?
– How do you celebrate the New Year?
– When was your best New Year celebration?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time when you got lost in a town/city. Please say

– When and where was it?
– Why did you get lost?
– What did you do?
– And explain how you felt at the time.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What kinds of transportation do people prefer?
– Was transportation better in the past?
– Is a proper road system necessary?
– What kind of decisions do people make in their lives?
– Is culture an important factor that affects decision-making?