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General Training Task 1 — invitation letter: Inviting a friend to a restaurant after a dinner at their house. This page gives the exam question and a band 9 model answer, with the tone, opening and closing lines that suit the letter. Aim for at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
You recently had dinner at your friend's house and would now like to invite him/her to your favourite restaurant to return the
favour. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter, you should:
• Thank your friend for the dinner you had at his/her house
• Explain why you would like to take him/her to your favourite restaurant
• Say when you would like to go
| Letter type | Invitation |
| Tone | Informal |
| Opening | Dear [First Name], |
| Closing | Can't wait! / See you soon! / Love, |
Dear Tom,
I am still thinking about that incredible dinner you cooked last Saturday — honestly, it was one of the best evenings I have had in ages, and I am so grateful for how much effort you put into it. The homemade pasta alone was extraordinary, and the atmosphere you created made everyone feel completely at ease.
I would now love to return the favour by taking you to my favourite restaurant, a small Italian place called La Tavola on Church Street. They serve authentic wood-fired pizzas, and the owner always remembers regular customers, which gives the experience a wonderfully personal feel. I think you would really enjoy it, especially given how passionate you are about good food.
Would you be free on Saturday 28th June, around 7 p.m.? I have already checked, and they have a table available. It would be lovely to catch up properly without either of us having to worry about washing up afterwards!
Can't wait!
Strategy
Three-part informal letter: thank you → restaurant description → specific date proposal. Make the date SPECIFIC ("Saturday
28th June, around 7pm") — vague dates weaken Task Achievement.
Common trap
Bullet 1 (thank you for dinner) must not be too long — 2–3 sentences maximum. The main focus is the invitation
(bullets 2 and 3).
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