IELTS Writing Task 1 · General Training

Informal letter: declining a friend's wedding invitation

A real-format letter task with a band 8 informal letter, the plan behind it, and the phrases worth keeping. Aim for 150 to 190 words in 20 minutes.

The task

A friend has invited you to their wedding, but you cannot attend. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - thank them for the invitation - explain why you cannot attend - suggest a way to celebrate together another time.

Band 8 model answer

188 words. The minimum is 150, and anything under it is penalised on Task Achievement; a strong answer sits between 150 and 190, which leaves time to check the figures.

Dear Tunde, Thank you so much for the invitation to your wedding. It arrived on a grey Monday and honestly made my whole week. I can picture the two of you at the front of that hall already, and I know your mum has been planning this since we were at university. I am gutted to say that I will not be able to be there on the 18th. My sister's graduation in Abuja is the same afternoon, and as the only family member who can travel, I promised months ago that I would be in the front row with a camera. I tried to work out whether I could do both, but the flights simply do not line up. Here is my suggestion. When you are back from your honeymoon, let me take you both out for dinner at that Lebanese place in Lekki you keep talking about, my treat, and you can show me every single photo. Just send me a couple of dates that suit you and I will book it. Have the most wonderful day, and give Kemi my love. All the best, Ada

Why this answer earns band 8

"Dear Tunde" with "All the best, Ada" fits the informal register the task asks for, and Task Achievement is marked down when a letter to a friend reads like a letter to a bank.
"It arrived on a grey Monday and honestly made my whole week" thanks the friend with a small, real-sounding detail rather than a formula, which is the texture Lexical Resource rewards.
"I am gutted to say" and "the flights simply do not line up" are natural informal collocations; the letter sounds spoken without becoming careless.
"Here is my suggestion" opens the third bullet with a clear signpost, so a reader can find each of the three required points without effort, which is Coherence and Cohesion.
"When you are back from your honeymoon, let me take you both out ... and you can show me every single photo" is a long, controlled sentence with a time clause and coordination, scored under Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

The plan, reusable on any letter of this kind

Opening (30-40 words): thank them warmly, with one specific detail that shows you mean it.
Bullet 2 (50-60 words): the reason you cannot come, stated honestly, with one line showing you tried.
Bullet 3 (50-60 words): a concrete alternative with a place and a time frame, and ask them to pick a date.
Close (1-2 lines): a good wish for the day and a warm, informal sign-off.

Phrases worth learning

made my whole week	an informal way to say something delighted you
I am gutted to say	to give bad news to a friend without sounding formal
the flights simply do not line up	for a plan that fails on logistics, not on will
my treat	to offer to pay in two words
send me a couple of dates that suit you	to close an invitation with an action

Informal does not mean short. This letter is still over 150 words and covers all three bullets in order; a friendly tone earns nothing if a bullet is missing.

Questions about this answer

What band is this model answer?

It is written to band 8, and the notes under it quote the answer's own words to show why.

How long should a Task 1 answer be?

Aim for 150 to 190 words in 20 minutes. This model answer is 188 words, and anything under 150 is penalised on Task Achievement.

What is the most common mistake on Task 1?

Writing under the 150 word minimum, which is penalised on Task Achievement, or missing one of the three bullet points.