In this tutorial we cover some extremely useful vocabulary to use for IELTS writing task, including phrases and idioms.
The idioms are also valuable for IELTS Speaking, as are the phrases to use in your IELTS exam.
We also look at how to construct the letter, what to check got after you have finished and when is the best time to test your new phrases and knowledge. Click here to see some examples of the letters for General IELTS.
How to write an informal letter
Write a letter to a friend about a recent holiday.
- You must address your friend using the correct punctuation so: Dear Amy,
- You must plan your letter so it is interesting and grabs your readers/friends attention
- It is a good idea to use idioms and add a sense of humour
Phrases to use as an introduction
- How are you? How’s life treating you?
- Sorry, I haven’t been in touch. I was overwhelmed with exams.
- Let me tell you about my holiday in Greece, it was fabulous.
Activity: Now write an introduction
Don’t forget to use the keywords in the previous slide.
Idioms you can use in your letter:
- Thrilled to bits / over the moon
- I have a mind like a sieve
- It cost an arm and a leg
- It’s driving me up the wall
Paragraph 1 – Using fillers to explain
- You will never guess what I went through last week
- To be honest, it was an excellent holiday……….
- When you hear this, it will keep you on the edge of your seat
Paragraph 2 – More info about the holiday
More vocabulary!
Use this vocabulary to help:
- Eye-opening
- Spectacular
- Stunning
Paragraph 3 – What’s next
Talk about what your plans are?
Phrases such as:
- planning on travelling
- planning on studying
- planning on learning a new sport
Last Paragraph – Phrases
- It was great catching up
- I must go now as my mum has bombarded me with errands
- Let’s get together soon over a coffee
Checking
- Check you have covered everything in the question!
- Check your punctuation and spelling
- Check you have explained your point
- Check you have a range of idioms
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Nadyne D
Thanks for appreciating the tutorial, Grace! 🙂
-Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Nadyne D
Thank you, Eqdeep! Check out the other podcasts that we have so you can nail IELTS!
-Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Nadyne D
Awesome, Shalini! Are you preparing for IELTS?
-Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Nadyne D
Thanks, Vasantha! Need a hand in IELTS?
-Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Nadyne D
Thanks, Vasantha! Let me know if you need help with IELTS vocabulary.
-Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Nadyne D
Hi Manpret,
We need a few online students to complete our private one-to-one classes via Skype.
The classes are with me (I usually never do this, and probably won’t offer this again until 2019), however, I need to make training videos for the new tutor who will be offering speaking classes in the future. More info here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/new-intensive-ielts-speaking-fluency-course/
Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Nadyne D
Hi Sourabh,
Glad you found the tutorial helpful! All the best!
-Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Sourabh
This will help me a lot thnkya 🙂
Manpreet
Hello! I need online speaking ielts classes ,kindly help me!
Vasantha
Excellent vocabulary, thanks
Vasantha
Wonderful session thanks
Shalini
Very useful
Eqdeep Singh
Fruitful podcast..Thank you so much for sharing..
Grace
V v practical and useful.
Nadyne D
Hi Iqbal! We’re glad you found the tutorial helpful! Let us know if you need any help in Writing or Speaking.
All the best,
Nadyne (on behalf of Ben)
Iqbal
Awesome vocabulary. Thanks.