IELTS General Writing Task 1 – Supporting a Friend Before an Exam
Model Answer (Band 8–8.5)
Dear Emily,
I heard you’ve been feeling really stressed about your exam next week, so I wanted to write and remind you that you’re probably doing better than you think. You’ve been preparing for months, and one difficult practice test doesn’t erase all that work.
My main advice is to stop trying to study everything at once. Make a short list of the topics you still find difficult and focus on those first. It might also help to study in 45-minute blocks and take proper breaks in between. The night before the exam, avoid cramming and get a decent amount of sleep instead.
Also, try not to compare yourself with other people. Everyone prepares differently, and worrying about how much others have studied will only distract you. If you start to feel overwhelmed, go for a short walk, breathe slowly, or call me.
Most importantly, trust the work you’ve already done. I know you’re capable, and I’m sure you’ll handle the exam well. Message me afterwards and tell me how it went!
Take care,
Charlotte
Analytical Review – Strengths, Weaknesses & Improvements
- Natural and consistently informal tone appropriate for writing to a close friend.
- The writer acknowledges the friend’s stress before offering practical advice.
- The advice is specific and realistic rather than vague or overly general.
- Strong natural expressions such as “doing better than you think,” “study in 45-minute blocks,” “avoid cramming,” and “feel overwhelmed.”
- The final paragraph provides clear emotional support without sounding exaggerated.
- Giving too much advice could make the letter sound instructional rather than friendly, so a balance between advice and encouragement is necessary.
- Highly formal or academic vocabulary would be inappropriate for this relationship and situation.
- Combine practical study advice with emotional reassurance.
- Use contractions naturally to maintain an authentic informal tone.
- Offer personal support, such as being available for a phone call or conversation.
- very nervous → really stressed
- study everything → cover everything at once
- study all night → cram
- become too worried → feel overwhelmed
- believe in yourself → trust the work you’ve already done
- make you lose concentration → distract you
- Maintain a warm and supportive informal register throughout the letter.
- Use conditional structures naturally, such as “If you start to feel overwhelmed…”.
- Demonstrate grammatical range through relative clauses, modal verbs, and complex sentences.
- Follow a logical progression: acknowledge the problem → give practical advice → reduce anxiety → offer encouragement.
- Avoid forced advanced vocabulary; natural and precise language is more effective in an informal letter.