IELTS informal letter: Thanking a friend for letting you stay

Informal letterThank you · General Training

The task

You recently stayed with a friend for a few days while you were travelling. Write a letter to your friend.

In your letter
• thank your friend for their hospitality
• describe what you enjoyed most about your stay
• invite your friend to stay with you

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses at the top of your letter.

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sipho,

Write your letter

Then get an estimated band, with checks on every bullet point, your tone and the letter format.

0 words · 150 more to reach 150

Write your own letter first, then compare. Reading a model before you write tends to make you copy it.

The plan

Opening: thanks straight away, with something specific.
Bullet 1: what they did for you.
Bullet 2: the best moment, described.
Bullet 3: the invitation with details.
Close: warm wishes and an informal sign-off.

Model letter

188 words

Our checker: 8.0Task 8Coherence 8Vocabulary 8Grammar 8

Dear Sipho,

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for letting me stay with you in Cape Town last week. I had the best time, and I really appreciated everything you did for me.

It was so kind of you to give me your room and sleep on the sofa for four nights, and to pick me up from the airport at midnight. You and your mum made me feel completely at home, and I still can’t stop thinking about her delicious bobotie.

The highlight of the trip was definitely our hike up Table Mountain on Saturday. I was exhausted by the time we reached the top, but the view over the city and the ocean was absolutely breathtaking. I’ve already printed the photo of us at the top, and it’s on my fridge now!

Now it’s your turn to visit me. Why don’t you come to Lagos in December? It’s a great time to be here, because there are lots of concerts and festivals, and I’d love to show you around. You can have my room, of course!

Thanks again for everything.

Best wishes,
Tolu

The highlighted paragraph states the purpose; each paragraph after it covers one bullet point. Scored by the MyBandPrep checker on 7 October 2026. An estimate, not an examiner’s mark. How scoring works

Why it works

Task Achievement: The thanks is specific and sincere, the best moment is described vividly, and the invitation includes a time and a reason, so all three bullets are fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: Paragraphs move clearly through the bullets, and the closing echoes the opening thanks.
Lexical Resource: Warm, natural vocabulary for a friend: a huge thank you, feel completely at home, the highlight of the trip, breathtaking, show you around.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Past simple and present perfect used accurately, with by the time, reason clauses and a natural suggestion (Why don’t you…?).

Phrases worth reusing

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for
made me feel completely at home
The highlight of the trip was definitely
Why don’t you come to