Video Lesson

General Writing Task 1

GENERAL WRITING
TA S K 1

Semi-formal letter
A house-warming party
(part 1)
IN THIS LESSON…
• TASK ACHIEVEMENT
• COHERENCE AND COHESION
• LEXICAL RESOURCE
• GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
• STRATEGY
• QUIZ
LOOK AT THE TASK 1 GENERAL QUESTION
You have just moved into a new house and you have decided to have a party.You are
worried that the noise from your party will annoy your new neighbour. Write a
letter to your neighbour. In your letter:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain that you plan to have a party
• Invite your neighbour to the party

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to include addresses.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ………………..,

GET A HIGH IELTS GRADE

BAND 9 MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging
heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated
shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try
to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you
could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to
bring anything except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you
can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
150-180 WORD MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I’ve just moved into the property next to yours and Dan- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I’ve disturbed you over the past couple of days? I’ve been dragging
heavy items of furniture about. I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and
clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited friends and colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy
but it might go on into the small hours. I’d love it if you could come.There’s no need to bring
anything except yourself. Don’t worry if you’re not free.You’d be extremely welcome to pop
round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much
noise!)
Best wishes

James
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
TASK ACHIEVEMENT
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Fully satisfies all the requirements of the task

9 • Clearly presents a fully developed response

• Covers all requirements of the task sufficiently

8 • Presents, highlights and illustrates key features / bullet points clearly and
appropriately

• Covers the requirements of the task

7 • Presents a clear purpose, with the tone consistent and appropriate

• Clearly presents, highlights and illustrates key features / bullet points but could be
more fully extended

• Addresses the requirements of the task

6 • Presents a purpose that is generally clear; there may be inconsistencies in tone

• Presents and adequately highlights key features / bullet points but details may be
irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
TASK ACHIEVEMENT
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Fully satisfies all the requirements of the task

9 • Clearly presents a fully developed response

• Covers all requirements of the task sufficiently

8 • Presents, highlights and illustrates key features / bullet points clearly and
appropriately

• Covers the requirements of the task

7 • Presents a clear purpose, with the tone consistent and appropriate

• Clearly presents, highlights and illustrates key features / bullet points but could be
more fully extended

• Addresses the requirements of the task

6 • Presents a purpose that is generally clear; there may be inconsistencies in tone

• Presents and adequately highlights key features / bullet points but details may be
irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate
LOOK AGAIN AT THE QUESTION.
WHAT SHOULD YOU INCLUDE IN YOUR ANSWER?

You have just moved into a new house and you have decided to have a party.You are
worried that the noise from your party will annoy your new neighbour. Write a
letter to your neighbour. In your letter:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain that you plan to have a party
• Invite your neighbour to the party
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: CONTENT
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: CONTENT
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: CONTENT
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE POLITENESS
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE HUMOUR
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE HUMOUR
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE HUMOUR
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE EXTRA
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the previous
tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have mentioned,
I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging heavy
items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated shelves
and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this coming
Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try to make
sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you could come.
It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything
except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
COHERENCE AND COHESION
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention

9 • Skilfully manages paragraphing

• Sequences information and ideas logically

8 • Manages all aspects of cohesion well

• Uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately

• Logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout

7 • Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under-
/ over-use

• Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression

6 • Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences
may be faulty or mechanical
• May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
COHERENCE AND COHESION
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention

9 • Skilfully manages paragraphing

• Sequences information and ideas logically

8 • Manages all aspects of cohesion well

• Uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately

• Logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout

7 • Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under-
/ over-use

• Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression

6 • Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences
may be faulty or mechanical
• May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
COHERENCE AND COHESION
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Giving the reader information about the text
makes the letter easier to follow. Here the
reader is told that she may already know this
information
COHERENCE AND COHESION
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Giving the reader information about the text
makes the letter easier to follow. Here the
reader is told that she may already know this
information
COHERENCE AND COHESION
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you We canthe

over often use couple
past and to link
of days? I have been
two clauses and form a
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing somesentence.
compound brokenThis
cupboards and
can show the reader that
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry ifisyou’ve
information been bothered by the
connected
banging and clattering.
COHERENCE AND COHESION
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. We can often use and to link
two clauses and form a
compound sentence. This
can show the reader that
information is connected
COHERENCE AND COHESION
We can use dashes to
indicate that information
is extra, but also useful or
Dear Carole, important

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
COHERENCE AND COHESION
We can use dashes to
indicate that information
is extra, but also useful or
Dear Carole, important

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
COHERENCE AND COHESION
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. We can use firstly at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the first
point. This may be the most important point or a point which we need
to make before we can move to the most important point
COHERENCE AND COHESION
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming
party this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as
work colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the
small hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity
for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything except yourself
and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) When you explain to your reader
Best wishes something about new information, it
makes your writing better connected.
Using signposts like this is a good
strategy
James
 This is a topic sentence.

COHERENCE AND COHESION

Everything else in the
paragraph explains the party
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming
party this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as
work colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the
small hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity
for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything except yourself
and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
Best wishes

James
COHERENCE AND COHESION
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming
party this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as
work colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the
small hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity
for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything except yourself
and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This phrase means and
also. It links two noun
Best wishes
phrases. It is always
good to find
alternatives to and
James
 Using pronouns to refer back

COHERENCE AND COHESION to an earlier noun makes your

writing better connected
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming
party this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as
work colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the
small hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity
for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything except yourself
and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
Best wishes

James
COHERENCE AND COHESION
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming
party this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as
work colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the
small hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity
for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything except yourself
and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) Pronouns can refer
Best wishes back to clauses,
sentences or facts
mentioned earlier

James
COHERENCE AND COHESION
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming
party this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as
work colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the
small hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity
for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to bring anything except yourself
and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
Of course is often separated by
Best wishes commas. It indicates that the new
information is obvious or clear. When
we explain to the reader something
about new information, the letter
James becomes more coherent
Copyright
 Video Lesson
General Writing Task 1
GENERAL WRITING
TA S K 1

Semi-formal letter
A house-warming party
(part 2)
IN THIS LESSON…
• TASK ACHIEVEMENT
• COHERENCE AND COHESION
• LEXICAL RESOURCE
• GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
• STRATEGY
• QUIZ
LOOK AT THE TASK 1 GENERAL QUESTION
You have just moved into a new house and you have decided to have a party.You are
worried that the noise from your party will annoy your new neighbour. Write a
letter to your neighbour. In your letter:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain that you plan to have a party
• Invite your neighbour to the party

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to include addresses.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ………………..,

GET A HIGH IELTS GRADE

BAND 9 MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging
heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated
shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try
to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you
could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to
bring anything except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you
can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
150-180 WORD MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I’ve just moved into the property next to yours and Dan- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I’ve disturbed you over the past couple of days? I’ve been dragging
heavy items of furniture about. I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and
clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited friends and colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy
but it might go on into the small hours. I’d love it if you could come.There’s no need to bring
anything except yourself. Don’t worry if you’re not free.You’d be extremely welcome to pop
round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much
noise!)
Best wishes

James
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
LEXICAL RESOURCE
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of

9 lexical features
• Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’

• Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings

8 • Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in
word choice and collocation
• Produces rare errors in spelling and/ or word formation
• Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision

7 • Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation
• May produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/ or word formation

• Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task

6 • Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy

• Makes some errors in spelling and/ or word formation, but they do not impede
communication
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
LEXICAL RESOURCE
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of

9 lexical features
• Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’

• Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings

8 • Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in
word choice and collocation
• Produces rare errors in spelling and/ or word formation
• Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision

7 • Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation
• May produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/ or word formation

• Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task

6 • Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy

• Makes some errors in spelling and/ or word formation, but they do not impede
communication
 It is important to avoid

LEXICAL RESOURCE repeating much text from the

question. This phrase allows us
Dear Carole, to avoid repeating new house

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
 The topic of the letter is
LEXICAL RESOURCE houses. Try to show the IELTS
examiner that you know
Dear Carole, complex and specific vocabulary
on this topic
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
 The topic of the letter is
LEXICAL RESOURCE houses. Try to show the IELTS
examiner that you know
Dear Carole, complex and specific vocabulary
on this topic
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
It is good to use different verbs
meaning to say / tell. To mention
means to give information briefly
Dear Carole, or without detail because it is
not very important
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot. When you can choose language, use the most complex and accurate language you know

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. To apologise means to say
sorry in a more formal way.
The part of the letter
where James is apologising
should be more formal
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Impress the examiner
with different words for
the same thing
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Impress the examiner
with different words for
the same thing
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
In IELTS General letter-writing you often need time
pet parrot.
expressions. Learn more complex ones
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. To drag means to pull
something from one place
to another because it is
too heavy to lift or carry
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
We can use items to
banging and clattering.
make furniture, clothing
or news countable
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Add adjectives to nouns to
make your writing more
complex or detailed
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Dilapidated means in such a
bad condition that it can not
be used any more
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
These nouns mean noises made when
hard objects hit each other. If you
know very complex words, look for
the opportunity to use them
 This is an informal

LEXICAL RESOURCE expression meaning to give

information to a person
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes

James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
To hold a party / a celebration / an event
Best wishes / a debate / a competition is a useful
colocation. To hold means to organise.
IELTS examiners are impressed by
collocations. Using them is a feature of
James native-speaker writing
 Time expressions are often needed in

LEXICAL RESOURCE IELTS. Learn more complex options

The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes

James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
This adjective refers to a party
Best wishes
which is noisy and where guests
are out of control. The question is
about a party, so try to include
James some relevant vocabulary
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
To go on means to continue.
Best wishes In less formal writing, it is
normal to use more verbs
with prepositions
James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes This is a set phrase, meaning

until late. Idiomatic phrases
like this make your writing
seem very advanced
James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This is a strong adjective-
noun collocation which will
Best wishes impress the examiner

James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This phrase would be used by a
native-speaker to describe the
Best wishes process of two strangers becoming
friendlier and developing an
understanding of each other
James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
The writer is making a joke. Significant other is a
Best wishes formal and impersonal way of referring to a person’s
partner. Quotation marks make it clear to the reader
that this formality is meant to be funny

James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes This is an informal phrase,

meaning to attend. This part of
the letter is more informal

James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) To pop + preposition is
an informal verb, meaning
Best wishes
to go somewhere for a
short time

James
LEXICAL RESOURCE
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) To knock on the wall / door / window /
ceiling is a strong collocation. We use
Best wishes
this phrase to describe making a noise
by hitting an object in order to get
someone’s attention
James
Copyright
 Video Lesson
General Writing Task 1
GENERAL WRITING
TA S K 1

Semi-formal letter
A house-warming party
(part 3)
IN THIS LESSON…
• TASK ACHIEVEMENT
• COHERENCE AND COHESION
• LEXICAL RESOURCE
• GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
• STRATEGY
• QUIZ
LOOK AT THE TASK 1 GENERAL QUESTION
You have just moved into a new house and you have decided to have a party.You are
worried that the noise from your party will annoy your new neighbour. Write a
letter to your neighbour. In your letter:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain that you plan to have a party
• Invite your neighbour to the party

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to include addresses.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ………………..,

GET A HIGH IELTS GRADE

BAND 9 MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging
heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated
shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try
to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you
could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to
bring anything except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you
can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
150-180 WORD MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I’ve just moved into the property next to yours and Dan- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I’ve disturbed you over the past couple of days? I’ve been dragging
heavy items of furniture about. I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and
clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited friends and colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy
but it might go on into the small hours. I’d love it if you could come.There’s no need to bring
anything except yourself. Don’t worry if you’re not free.You’d be extremely welcome to pop
round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much
noise!)
Best wishes

James
150-180 WORD MODEL ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I’ve just moved into the property next to yours and Dan- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I’ve disturbed you over the past couple of days? I’ve been dragging
heavy items of furniture about. I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and
clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited friends and colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy
but it might go on into the small hours. I’d love it if you could come.There’s no need to bring
anything except yourself. Don’t worry if you’re not free.You’d be extremely welcome to pop
round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much
noise!)
Best wishes

James
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy

9 • Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’

• Uses a wide range of structures

8 • The majority of sentences are error-free

• Makes only occasional errors or inappropriacies

• Uses a variety of complex structures

7 • Produces frequent error-free sentences

• Has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors

• Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms

6 • Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce
communication
IELTS BAND DESCRIPTORS GENERAL WRITING
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
BAND DESCRIPTOR
• Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy

9 • Rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’

• Uses a wide range of structures

8 • The majority of sentences are error-free

• Makes only occasional errors or inappropriacies

• Uses a variety of complex structures

7 • Produces frequent error-free sentences

• Has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors

• Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms

6 • Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce
communication
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. These structures can
be used to describe
past possibility
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. These structures can
be used to describe
past possibility
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. We can use the present perfect and
just to describe something which
happened a short time in the past and
which is connected to the present
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Here the is used because
we know exactly which
property is referred to
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Using possessive pronouns is
complex grammar. These
pronouns also mean that we
can avoid repeating the noun
property
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. After don’t mind we can use an
object pronoun and the –ing form
of the verb. When you learn a verb,
it is important to know what
structures it can be used with
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. Can is used here to ask for
permission. IELTS examiners
see lots of errors with the
use of modals
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. The present perfect
describes actions which
started in the past and
continue until now
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. A present perfect continuous tense
is used to describe actions which
started in the past and continued or
repeated until the present
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
We can use ellipsis
here. There is no need
to repeat I have been
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering.
We can use ellipsis
here. There is no need
to repeat I have been
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
Dear Carole,

As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and
Daniel- the previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to
you. As Dan might have mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a
pet parrot.

Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been
dragging heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and
knocking down dilapidated shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the
banging and clattering. A passive form of the present perfect
is used here. The writer does not want
to emphasise the fact that he is
responsible for the noise. By is used to
introduce the original subject
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
We often use an infinitive to
Best wishes express purpose (to indicate the
reason why we do something)

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes We can often use that to

introduce a new clause and make
our sentences more complex

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) When we follow to
plan with another verb,
Best wishes it is usually in the
infinitive form

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) We use a with house-warming party. It
is the first time the writer mentions
Best wishes this party so the reader has no clear
idea about which party it is

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) The present perfect is
used for a past action
Best wishes which has results in the
present or future

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) We can use will to
make promises
Best wishes about the future

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) To try can sometimes be followed by
an infinitive, and sometimes by the -ing
Best wishes form. The meaning is different,
depending on which form is used

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
We can use too before
Best wishes an adjective or an adverb
and too much/many
before a noun
James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This is a second
conditional sentence.
Best wishes The writer is using it as
a polite form

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This is another
conditional sentence.
Best wishes The if clause is in the
previous sentence

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
Many nouns can be followed by
Best wishes infinitives. Examples include
opportunity, chance, request,
suggestion, wish, attempt and
James decision
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This phrase is used as an
object to show that each
Best wishes person does something to
the other person

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) This phrase, followed by
an infinitive, can be used
Best wishes to show that something is
not necessary

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes We usually use anything in

negative sentences to refer to an
object which we cannot name

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!) We use the reflexive
pronoun because the
Best wishes subject and the object
are both the same (you)

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day. We can use negative imperative forms

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day. And positive imperative forms
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)

Best wishes

James
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party
this coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work
colleagues. I will try to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small
hours. I would really love it if you could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get
to know each other. There’s no need to bring anything except yourself and, of course, your
‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome
to pop round another day.

I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too
much noise!)
We use a present
Best wishes continuous tense here
to refer to any one
future moment
James
STRATEGY: IMPERATIVES
Just knock on the ceiling if I’m making too much noise!
Write back as soon as you can.
Let me know when you expect to be free.
Make sure you call me when you’re in Dubai.
Don’t worry about bringing a bottle to the party.
Don’t forget to bring some of your friends.
Please call me if you require further information.
Please inform me about the progress of your investigations.
Please contact me whenever necessary
Please do not hesitate to contact me if necessary.
QUIZ: FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS
Dear Carole,
___ you may have noticed, I have just moved ___ the property next ___ yours and Daniel- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. ___ Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant ____ a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you ___ the past couple ___ days? I have been dragging
heavy items ___ furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking ___ dilapidated
shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered ___ the banging and clattering.
The main reason ___ writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends ____ university as well ____ work colleagues. I will try
to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go ___ ___ the small hours. I would really love it if you
could come. It would be a great opportunity ___ us to get to know each other.There’s no need to
bring anything except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you
can’t make ___ .You’d be extremely welcome to pop ___ another day.
I look forward ___ seeing you really soon (and just knock ___ the wall if I’m making too much
noise!)
Best wishes

James
QUIZ: CORRECT ANSWER
Dear Carole,
As you may have noticed, I have just moved into the property next to yours and Daniel- the
previous tenant- gave me your name. I hope you don’t mind me writing to you. As Dan might have
mentioned, I’m a trainee accountant with a motorbike and a pet parrot.
Firstly, can I apologise if I have disturbed you over the past couple of days? I have been dragging
heavy items of furniture about, repairing some broken cupboards and knocking down dilapidated
shelves and I’m really sorry if you’ve been bothered by the banging and clattering.
The main reason for writing is to let you know that I plan to hold a house-warming party this
coming Saturday. I’ve invited some old friends from university as well as work colleagues. I will try
to make sure it isn’t too rowdy but it might go on into the small hours. I would really love it if you
could come. It would be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other.There’s no need to
bring anything except yourself and, of course, your ‘significant other’ if he’s free. Don’t worry if you
can’t make it.You’d be extremely welcome to pop round another day.
I look forward to seeing you really soon (and just knock on the wall if I’m making too much noise!)
Best wishes

James
Copyright