IELTS General Writing Task 1: Congratulations Letter to a Friend (Band 9 Sample)
This General Training Task 1 asks you to write a warm, informal letter congratulating a friend who has just landed a new job. A band-9 letter covers all three bullet points, sounds genuinely delighted, and reads like a real message to a close friend. Below is a model letter of roughly 190 words, followed by why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
A friend of yours has recently got a new job. Write a letter to congratulate your friend. In your letter: congratulate your friend on the new job, say how you felt when you heard the news, and suggest a way to celebrate together.
02 · Band 9 sample answer
190 words · Band 9Dear Linh,
I've just heard your fantastic news and I simply had to write straight away — huge congratulations on landing the new job! Honestly, I couldn't be happier for you.
The moment your message popped up on my phone, I actually let out a little cheer at my desk. I know just how much this role meant to you and how nervous you were about the interview, so to hear that you sailed through it was absolutely wonderful. Nobody deserves it more — all those late nights preparing have finally paid off, and it's lovely to see your hard work rewarded at last.
We simply have to celebrate properly. How about I treat you to dinner this Saturday at that little Italian place you're always raving about? We can raise a glass to your success and you can tell me all about your new role. My treat, of course — I insist.
Once again, I'm thrilled for you. Give me a call when you get a chance.
Lots of love, Mai
03 · Why this scores Band 9
All three bullet points are fully covered — the congratulations ("huge congratulations on landing the new job"), how the writer felt on hearing ("I actually let out a little cheer at my desk"), and a concrete suggestion for celebrating (dinner on Saturday, the writer's treat). Each is developed with warmth and specific detail.
The letter flows like a genuine message — an excited opening, the reaction to the news, the celebration plan, and a warm close — one idea per paragraph. Cohesion is conversational: "The moment your message popped up...", "We simply have to celebrate properly", "Once again, I'm thrilled for you".
The vocabulary is warm and idiomatic — "had to write straight away", "sailed through it", "nobody deserves it more", "paid off", "raving about", "raise a glass to your success" — exactly the enthusiastic, informal language a congratulations letter calls for.
A range of structures is used accurately: a present perfect opener ("I've just heard your fantastic news"), a "The moment..." time clause ("The moment your message popped up, I let out a little cheer"), and a "How about + gerund" suggestion ("How about I treat you to dinner"). Contractions suit the informal register, and the letter is error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
What register should a congratulations letter to a friend use?
Warm and informal. Use contractions, a first-name greeting ("Dear Linh") and an affectionate sign-off ("Lots of love"). Let genuine excitement come through — enthusiasm is exactly what this task rewards.
How do I cover "how you felt when you heard"?
Describe a specific reaction rather than a flat "I was happy". "I actually let out a little cheer at my desk" is vivid and personal, which covers the bullet far more convincingly.
How should I suggest celebrating?
Make a concrete, specific offer — a named restaurant, a day, who is paying — rather than a vague "we should celebrate". A definite plan ("dinner this Saturday, my treat") fully satisfies the bullet point.
How long should the letter be?
At least 150 words; a band-9 letter is usually 170–200. This model is 190 words, enough to congratulate, react and suggest a celebration warmly without padding.
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