Grammar Exercise 8

Grammar Exercise 8

IELTS Tips

• In planning your writing think about the logical organisation of letters. Remember to mention your reason for writing in the first sentence in the letter.
• Once you have decided whether you are writing a semi-formal or more formal letter, be consistent in the register of language you choose.
  Remember in this part of the exam you are assessed on:
  • Task Achievement (how well you answer the question)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (the layout, and ordering and linking of ideas in your letter)
  • Lexical Resource (use of appropriate vocabulary)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (the accuracy and range of the grammar you use)
• You should only spend 20 minutes on this task. Task 2 counts for twice as many marks.
• Remember that the task will always clearly tell you who you are writing to. Think carefully about what or how much this person already knows about you, what you need to tell them and what register to use.
• Try to leave yourself a few minutes to check through what you have written. Check for mistakes in spelling, grammar endings, punctuation, etc. and make sure you have not repeatedly used the same words.

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Here is a model answer. Look at the words or phrases in capitals. Choose the most appropriate word or phrase.

Dear Luca and Alexandra,

I’m writing to thank you for the lovely time I had stayed in your gorgeous house in Patras while I was studying Greek last Winter.

As you know, I’d never been to Greece when I arrived in Athens, and I was thrilled to find so many wonderful people and amazing archaeological sites. I really had no idea about Greece’s rich heritage. Almost all the stereotypes we have in London of Greece were soon proven wrong. I met many people whose worldview is pretty much the same as my own. I’ve certainly told everyone back home about the fascinating and generous community of Patras.

My most memorable experience was celebrating the Patras Carnival with you – that incredible Saturday evening parade and those bonfires, as well as the live music in four languages. I’m so grateful you shared those things with me.

Please accept a small token of my gratitude, enclosed, and remember, if you’re ever in London, I’d be delighted to put you up and show you around.

Your friend,
David