You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal - IELTS General Writing Task 1

In the IELTS General Writing Task 1, one of the most common informal letter prompts asks you to write to your friend. This task assesses your ability to use an appropriate informal tone, organise ideas clearly, and cover all bullet points provided in the question. Therefore, practicing IELTS Letter Writing topics like ‘You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal’ will help you master these skills.

So, let’s explore the three sample answers, ranging from Band 7 to 9 on the IELTS informal letter topic, ‘You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal’, to enhance your letter-writing skills and achieve your desired band level for IELTS.

Question for You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal

Outline for an IELTS Informal Letter

Check out the outline/structure for IELTS General Writing Task 1 informal letters like 'You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal’. 

Sample Answer 1 for Writing Task 1 Question – You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal

Dear Misha,

I hope you are doing well. I am really excited to finally write to you and start our pen-pal journey.

To begin with, let me tell you a bit about my background. I completed my bachelor’s degree in commerce last year and then worked for about a year as a junior accounts assistant in a private firm. During that time, I gained practical experience in budgeting, reporting, and teamwork, which I found quite rewarding.

At the moment, I am preparing for a professional certification, so most of my days are spent studying. However, in my free time, I enjoy reading novels, listening to podcasts, and going for evening walks. I am also very interested in learning about different cultures, which is one of the reasons I wanted a pen pal.

By the way, I am thrilled to tell you that I will be visiting your city next month for a short holiday. It would be wonderful to meet you in person if you are available.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes,
Priyanka

Sample Answer 2 for Writing Task 1 Question – You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal

Dear Peter,

Hi! I hope this letter finds you in great spirits. I have been looking forward to writing to you ever since we became pen pals.

Let me start by sharing a little about my studies and work experience. I studied computer science at university and, after graduating, worked as a software trainee for two years. The role helped me develop strong problem-solving skills and sparked my interest in technology even further.

Currently, I am working full-time as a web developer while also taking an online course to improve my design skills. Outside of work, I am quite fond of photography, cycling, and trying out new recipes on weekends. I also love meeting new people and exchanging ideas, which makes this pen-pal experience even more exciting for me.

I also have some good news - I will be visiting your country later this year as part of my vacation plans. I truly hope we can meet and spend some time together if it suits you.

Take care and write back soon!

Warm regards,
Ananya

Sample Answer 3 for Writing Task 1 Question – You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal

Dear Jonathan,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am looking forward to being your pen pal, and I am delighted to write this letter to introduce myself.

As you might know, I live in Kolkata, which is the capital of West Bengal, India. I completed my Bachelor of Commerce degree last year from J.D. Birla Institute, an esteemed university situated in Kolkata itself. Currently, I am studying for my GMAT exam as I wish to pursue my MBA degree from Essex University in the UK.

In my spare time, I like to watch films and I was pleased to know that you are a cinephile like myself. Apart from that, I also engage in various online gaming tournaments as video games are another great hobby of mine.

I was thrilled to receive your invitation to visit you in Sweden. I will surely visit you and explore your beautiful country whenever I get the opportunity.

I hope to receive your response soon.

With love,

Shreyas

Tips to Frame a Band 8+ Answer for You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal

Here are some important IELTS General Writing Task 1 tips to help you write an effective letter on the IELTS General Writing Task 1 topic, ‘You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal’.

• Open by acknowledging the ‘first-time’ connection: Make it clear that this is your first letter by expressing excitement or curiosity about starting communication. This immediately aligns your tone with the purpose of a pen-pal relationship.
• Introduce your background briefly, not like a résumé: When describing previous studies or work experience, select one qualification or job and explain what you learned or enjoyed, rather than listing multiple details. Examiners reward relevance over quantity.
• Link current activities to your future goals or interests: Your present studies or job should feel like a continuation of your past experience. This logical progression strengthens coherence and cohesion, a key Band 8 criterion in IELTS.
• Choose hobbies that encourage cultural exchange: Since a pen pal is usually from another place, hobbies like reading, travelling, photography, or learning about cultures sound more authentic and purposeful than generic interests.
• Mention the visit naturally, not as an announcement: Instead of stating the visit abruptly, introduce it as good news or something you’re looking forward to, and politely suggest meeting if possible. This keeps the letter friendly rather than transactional.
• Balance personal warmth with clarity: Avoid being overly emotional or informal. A Band 8 response sounds friendly but controlled, showing you can communicate clearly with someone you have never met before.
• End by encouraging future communication: Close the letter by inviting your pen pal to reply, ask questions, or share their experiences. This reinforces the ongoing nature of a pen-pal relationship.

To conclude, attempt writing some more formal letters from IELTS General Writing Task 1 practice tests on your own now that you have reviewed the sample responses on the topic of ‘You are Writing Your First Letter to a Pen Pal’ and know how to write an informal letter. Also, you can use our FREE evaluation service or submit your responses in the comments section below if you need help assessing them.

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