Video Lesson

General Writing Task 1

GENERAL WRITING
TA S K 1

Informal letter
Thank a friend for a meal
(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
Your friend recently invited you for a meal at her or his house. After the meal, you
decided to write to your friend.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Thank your friend for the meal

• Explain what you enjoyed about having the meal in your friend’s house
• Invite your friend to come to your house for a meal

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 Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals
I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing
and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You
would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson.
I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading
dinosaur expert already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my
house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best.
Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also
let me know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut
allergy. I don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
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?

Your friend recently invited you for a meal at her or his house. After the meal, you
decided to write to your friend.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Thank your friend for the meal

• Explain what you enjoyed about having the meal in your friend’s house
• Invite your friend to come to your house for a meal
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: CONTENT
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals I
have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing and
some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would
think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never
met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert
already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my house
for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best. Please
let me know when you can come. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also let me
know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I
don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: CONTENT
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals I
have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing and
some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would
think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never
met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert
already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my house
for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best. Please
let me know when you can come. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also let me
know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I
don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: CONTENT
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals I
have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing and
some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would
think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never
met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert
already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my house
for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best. Please
let me know when you can come. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also let me
know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I
don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE PRAISE
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals I
have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing and
some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would
think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never
met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert
already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my house
for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best. Please
let me know when you can come. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also let me
know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I
don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: STYLE PHRASES
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals I
have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing and
some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would
think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never
met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert
already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my house
for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best. Please
let me know when you can come. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also let me
know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I
don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
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 It is often a good idea to start a
letter with the main reason for
writing. It can make the letter
Dear Louis,
coherent and logical
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
COHERENCE AND COHESION The first sentence links this
paragraph to the previous one
(by referring to food)…
Dear Louis,

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
COHERENCE AND COHESION …and also makes it clear what
this paragraph is about (getting
to know your awesome family)
Dear Louis,

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
COHERENCE AND COHESION
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.
We can use this phrase to give
With lots of love extra or additional information
in an informal letter
Mikaela
COHERENCE AND COHESION
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.
We can make a letter easier to follow by giving
With lots of love the reader information. Here, Once again
indicates that information from earlier in the
Mikaela letter will be repeated because it is important
Copyright
 Video Lesson
General Writing Task 1
GENERAL WRITING
TA S K 1

Informal letter
Thank a friend for a meal
(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
Your friend recently invited you for a meal at her or his house. After the meal, you
decided to write to your friend.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

• Thank your friend for the meal

• Explain what you enjoyed about having the meal in your friend’s house
• Invite your friend to come to your house for a meal

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 Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals
I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing
and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You
would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson.
I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading
dinosaur expert already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my
house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best.
Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also
let me know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut
allergy. I don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
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
LEXICAL RESOURCE It is important to find alternatives to
basic phrases like very good. Here we
could also use terrific or amazing
Dear Louis,

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
 To not take something the
LEXICAL RESOURCE wrong way is used when we
assure somebody that our
statement/comment is meant to
be understood in a positive way
Dear Louis, and not as a criticism

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
LEXICAL RESOURCE
Yummy is a very
informal word meaning
Dear Louis, tasty

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
LEXICAL RESOURCE This informal phrase
means wonderful. We
could also write beyond
Dear Louis, belief

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
LEXICAL RESOURCE To get over = to recover from.
Using phrasal and prepositional
verbs is very effective in an
Dear Louis, informal letter

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
LEXICAL RESOURCE To be in stitches = to
laugh uncontrollably. This
is an informal phrase
which would impress the
Dear Louis, examiner
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
 = to promise; to tell

LEXICAL RESOURCE somebody that you are

sure something will or
will not happen

I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

Mikaela
LEXICAL RESOURCE = as good as your level; as
well as you can do. This is a
useful informal phrase

I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

Mikaela
 To let somebody know = to

LEXICAL RESOURCE inform somebody. This is an

informal phrase which can be
very useful in letters

I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

Mikaela
 To let somebody know = to

LEXICAL RESOURCE inform somebody. This is an

informal phrase which can be
very useful in letters

I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

Mikaela
 This phrase can be used

LEXICAL RESOURCE to give an opinion. It

means something like
from my opinion or
perspective
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

Mikaela
LEXICAL RESOURCE The topic of this letter is food.
If you know complex
vocabulary connected with
food, try to use it
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

Mikaela
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
We can use such with
nouns and so with
Dear Louis, adjectives

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY The writer is comparing all the meals she
has ever had and indicating that this meal
Dear Louis, was in the group of the best meals. We use
a superlative form for this
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
We can use ever and never
with the present perfect to
Dear Louis, describe our experiences

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
We can use ever and never
with the present perfect to
Dear Louis, describe our experiences

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
And we can use still with the present perfect in a
negative form to show that something is taking
Dear Louis, longer than normal or expected

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
We can use have to to indicate
that something is necessary. This
Dear Louis, modal is followed by an infinitive

I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t
take this the wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was
one of the yummiest meals I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.

Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening
was getting to know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny.
She never stops laughing and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really
can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of
course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve never met anyone who knows
so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur expert already.
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.
We can use as…as to indicate that two
With lots of love numbers or quantities are the same. This
is a complex comparative form
Mikaela
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.
We can use as…as to indicate that two
With lots of love numbers or quantities are the same. This
is a complex comparative form
Mikaela
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.

With lots of love

We can use will to make a future promise
Mikaela or prediction, or to describe a decision
about the future which we have just made
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.
This complex structure with the + comparative
With lots of love + the + comparative is used to express the idea
that two things vary or change together
Mikaela
GRAMMATICAL RANGE AND ACCURACY
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring to my house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your
standard but I’ll do my best. Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the
better as far as I am concerned. And also let me know if any of you have any special
dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut allergy. I don’t want you going
home poorly!

Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very
long time.
We can use like, such as and including to
With lots of love give examples. The examples which
follow these words are often nouns
Mikaela
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
• Your house is bigger than ours.
• The restaurant was more expensive than I expected.
• I would be a great deal happier if you were a bit more careful.
The situation is not as bad as it looks.
Short adjectives = ____er than
Please come as soon as possible
Long adjectives = more ____ than
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring
If there were more customers we would make more money.
If there were fewer customers, we would make less money.
The sooner you come, the better.
The more guests we have, the happier we will be.
That was one of the loveliest meals I had ever had.
It was by far the funniest movie I have ever seen.
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
• Your house is a tiny bit / quite a bit / loads bigger than ours.
• The restaurant was slightly / somewhat / considerably more expensive than I expected.
• I would be happier if you were more careful.
The situation is not as bad as it looks.
We can add adverbs to show how
Please come as soon as possible similar or different things are
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring
If there were more customers we would make more money.
If there were fewer customers, we would make less money.
The sooner you come, the better.
The more guests we have, the happier we will be.
That was one of the loveliest meals I had ever had.
It was by far the funniest movie I have ever seen.
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
Your house is a tiny bit/quite a bit bigger than ours.
The restaurant was slightly/somewhat/considerably more expensive than I expected.
I would be happier if you were a bit more careful.
• The situation is not as bad as it looks.
• Please come as soon as possible.
• I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring.
If there were more customers we would
We make
can usemore
as…asmoney.
or not as…as to
showmake
If there were fewer customers, we would that things are equal or not equal
less money.
The sooner you come, the better.
The more guests we have, the happier we will be.
That was one of the loveliest meals I had ever had.
It was by far the funniest movie I have ever seen.
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
Your house is a tiny bit/quite a bit bigger than ours.
The restaurant was slightly/somewhat/considerably more expensive than I expected.
I would be happier if you were a bit more careful.
The situation is not as bad as it looks.
Please come as soon as possible

I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring
• If there were more customers we would make more money.
• If there were fewer customers, we would make less money.
The sooner you come, the better.
We can use more/fewer to compare
The more guests we have, the happier we willcountable
be. nouns and more/less to
That was one of the loveliest meals I had evercompare
had. uncountable nouns
It was by far the funniest movie I have ever seen.
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
Your house is a tiny bit/quite a bit bigger than ours.
The restaurant was slightly/somewhat/considerably more expensive than I expected.
I would be happier if you were a bit more careful.
The situation is not as bad as it looks.
Please come as soon as possible
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring
If there were more customers we would
Wemake
can usemore
the + money.
comparative, the +
comparative when two things vary or
If there were fewer customers, we would make less money.
change together or in the same way
• The sooner you come, the better.
• The more guests we have, the happier we will be.
That was one of the loveliest meals I had ever had.
It was by far the funniest movie I have ever seen.
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
Your house is a tiny bit/quite a bit bigger than ours.
The restaurant was slightly/somewhat/considerably more expensive than I expected.
I would be happier if you were a bit more careful.
The situation is not as bad as it looks.
Please come as soon as possible
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring
If there were more customers we would make more money.
When comparing 3 or more things, we can
If there were fewer customers, we use
would make less
the ____est money.
with short adjectives and
The sooner you come, the better. the most ____ with long adjectives
The more guests we have, the happier we will be.
• That was the biggest meal I had ever had.
• It was the most hilarious movie I have ever seen.
STRATEGY: COMPARATIVE FORMS
Your house is a tiny bit/quite a bit bigger than ours.
The restaurant was slightly/somewhat/considerably more expensive than I expected.
I would be happier if you were a bit more careful.
The situation is not as bad as it looks.
Please come as soon as possible
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can
bring
If there were more customers We
we use
would make
one of more money.
+ superlative to show that
If there were fewer customers,something
we would is in a group of the best/biggest etc.
make less money.
We use by far + superlative when something is
The sooner you come, the better.
much bigger/better etc. than all others in the group
The more guests we have, the happier we will be.
• That was one of the biggest meals I had ever had.
• It was by far the most hilarious movie I have ever seen.
QUIZ: FILL IN THE MISSING WORDS
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take ____ the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were ____ a wonderful cook. It was ___ of the yummiest meals
I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
_________ the food was out of ___ world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I ____ haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing
and ____ of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in ___ nineties.You
would think she was fifty the way she acts. __ course, I have to mention your adorable grandson. I’ve
never met anyone ___ knows __ much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading dinosaur
expert _______.
I would love to invite you and __ many members of your fantastic family __ you can bring to my
house for dinner. I can’t guarantee ____ the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do __ best.
Please let me know ____ you can come. ___ sooner ___ better __ far __ I am concerned. And ____ let
me know if ___ of you have any special dietary requirements ____ lactose intolerance or nut allergy.
I don’t want you going home poorly!
____ again thank you __ much for an amazing evening. I will remember __ for a very long time.
____ lots of love
Mikaela
QUIZ: CORRECT ANSWER
Dear Louis,
I just wanted to thank you for the incredible evening I had last week. I hope you don’t take this the
wrong way, but I never imagined you were such a wonderful cook. It was one of the yummiest meals
I have ever had.You should open a restaurant.
Although the food was out of this world, probably the main highlight of the evening was getting to
know your awesome family. I still haven’t got over meeting your granny. She never stops laughing
and some of the stories she told had me in stitches. I really can’t believe she’s in her nineties.You
would think she was fifty the way she acts. Of course, I have to mention your adorable grandson.
I’ve never met anyone who knows so much about dinosaurs. He must be the world’s leading
dinosaur expert already.
I would love to invite you and as many members of your fantastic family as you can bring to my
house for dinner. I can’t guarantee that the cooking will be up to your standard but I’ll do my best.
Please let me know when you can come.The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. And also
let me know if any of you have any special dietary requirements like lactose intolerance or nut
allergy. I don’t want you going home poorly!
Once again thank you so much for an amazing evening. I will remember it for a very long time.
With lots of love
Mikaela
Copyright