Letter inviting a friend to a celebration
This is a model answer written to show what a Band 7 response looks like against the marking criteria. It is a worked example, not a graded submission. To see your own band, paste your writing into the free checker.
The prompt
You are celebrating an important occasion and would like a friend who lives in another city to attend. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- explain what you are celebrating and when
- give details of the arrangements
- encourage your friend to come and offer to help
Band 7 model answer (152 words)
Dear Sofia,
It feels like ages since we last caught up, and I have some exciting news. I am turning thirty next month and throwing a big party to celebrate, so I really hope you can come.
The party is on Saturday 12 July at my flat, starting around seven in the evening. There will be food, music and a few games, and most of our old university friends will be there, so it should be a brilliant night. If you can stay over, you are more than welcome to use my spare room.
I know it is a long way for you to travel, so please let me know if you need a hand with anything. I am happy to help with your train ticket or pick you up from the station when you arrive.
Do try to make it, Sofia. It would not feel the same without you. Let me know soon.
Take care,
Emma
Why this reaches Band 7
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Task Achievement
All three bullet points are covered: what is being celebrated and when, the arrangements, and warm encouragement with an offer of help.
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Coherence and Cohesion
The letter flows naturally from the news to the details to the invitation, held together by a friendly tone.
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Lexical Resource
Relaxed, natural language suited to a friend, such as "caught up", "a brilliant night" and "need a hand", used accurately.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A comfortable mix of structures with contractions, appropriate for an informal letter, and very few errors.
The one fix to reach Band 7
Informal letters slip to Band 6 when they become so chatty that they forget the task, or when they open too formally. To reach Band 7, keep the friendly tone but still cover all three bullet points clearly and start with a first name, not "Dear Sir".
Now check your own answer.
Paste your own attempt at this prompt and Examinerly names the single criterion keeping you below your target band, and shows the sentence-level fix. We never inflate your band.
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