General Training Writing Task 1
16. Advice to Friend Letter (Informal)
A foreign friend is going to move to your hometown and has asked for your advice about living in the town. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter:
suggest a good part of the city to live in
explain what public transport there is
and say what there is to do in the city
Model Answer:
Dear Hernan,
It was great to receive your letter and I was very surprised and happy to find out that you’re going to move to my hometown. It will be great to see you there once you’ve arrived!
You mentioned that you’re looking for accommodation in a nice part of town. Well, I’d like to recommend the area where I used to live. It’s in the outskirts of the town to the northwest, and it’s one of the nicest neighbourhoods. The transport links are good too, as there are several regular buses that connect the area to the rest of the city. I think you’ll take to the neighbourhood because, although you don’t have the hustle and bustle of the town centre, there’s a real sense of community and the locals are very friendly. I’m sure you won’t feel homesick at all.
There are lots of things you can do in the town. There are several nice restaurants which you’re bound to enjoy, and there’s one pub, ‘The Grumpy Mole’, which has an excellent selection of ales. I’m sure you’ll like the surrounding countryside too, and I can suggest a few bike trails which are fantastic in the summer.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the town, and looking forward to catching up soon.
Best wishes,
Tom
Useful Phrases:
Introduction:
It was great to receive your letter
I was very surprised and happy to find out that...
Suggesting/ Recommending (informal):
I’d like to recommend...
You’re bound to enjoy...
I’m sure you’ll like...
I think you’ll take to...
Ending:
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
looking forward to catching up soon