Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Your friend has invited you to a music concert in their city. However, you are unable to attend it due to some personal commitments. Write a letter to your friend explaining your situation. In your letter, you should:
- Thank your friend for the invitation.
- Explain why you will not be able to come.
- Suggest an alternate plan to meet your friend.
- End the letter on a positive note assuring your friend of your commitment to meet soon.

You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Emily,

Thank you for inviting me to the music concert in your city. It sounds like a lot of fun and I wish I could come.

But I have to tell you, I can't come. I have to work on that day. My boss needs me to do a big job and I can't say no. I'm sorry I can't be there.

I have an idea. Why don't you come to my city next month? There is a big fair here. We can go to the fair and have fun. We can eat cotton candy and ride the Ferris wheel. It will be fun.

I am sorry again that I can't come to the concert. But I promise we will meet soon. I am looking forward to seeing you.

From,
Liam Johnson

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Sarah,

I was thrilled to receive your invitation to the music concert in your city. It's such a kind gesture and I appreciate it.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend as I have a family gathering on the same day. My cousin is visiting us after many years and it's an important occasion for us all. I hope you understand my situation.

However, I'd love to catch up with you. How about we plan a weekend trip together next month? We could explore some new places and enjoy some quality time. I think it would be a great way to compensate for missing the concert.

I'm really sorry for not being able to join you this time, but I promise we will meet soon. Thanks again for the invite and enjoy the concert.

Best wishes,
Emily

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Amelia,

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for inviting me to the upcoming music concert in your city. I was thrilled to receive your invitation and it would have been a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the music and your delightful company.

Regrettably, I will not be able to attend the concert as I have some unavoidable personal commitments. My brother, who lives overseas, is visiting us during the same period and as we rarely get to spend time together, I have planned a family gathering. I hope you understand the importance of this family reunion and the difficulty in rescheduling it.

However, I would absolutely love to meet you and catch up. How about we plan a weekend getaway in the coming month? We could visit the countryside, enjoy some local food and music, and have our own mini-concert. I think it would be a fantastic way to spend quality time together and make some wonderful memories.

I am truly sorry to miss the concert, but I am looking forward to our planned getaway. I assure you that nothing will come in the way of our meeting this time. Thank you once again for your kind invitation and understanding.

Warm regards,
Evelyn

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. Gratitude (noun): This means a feeling of being thankful. You can use this word to express your thankfulness for the invitation.
2. Personal commitments (phrase): This means things you have to do or places you have to be. You can use this phrase to explain why you can't attend the concert.
3. Regrettably (adverb): This word means you are sorry about something. You can use this word to show that you are sorry you can't come to the concert.
4. Alternative arrangement (phrase): This means a different plan or idea. You can use this phrase to suggest a different plan to meet your friend.
5. Looking forward to (phrase): This means you are excited about something that will happen in the future. You can use this phrase to show that you are excited about meeting your friend in the future.
6. Unforeseen circumstances (phrase): These are things that happen that you didn't expect or plan for. You can use this phrase to explain why you can't come to the concert.
7. Reassure (verb): This means to make someone feel better or less worried about something. You can use this word when you are telling your friend that you will definitely meet them soon.
8. Heartfelt apologies (phrase): This means you are really, really sorry. You can use this phrase to say sorry for not being able to attend the concert.
9. Reschedule (verb): This means to plan something for a different time. You can use this word to suggest a new time to meet your friend.
10. Keep in touch (phrase): This means to continue talking or writing to someone even though you can't see them all the time. You can use this phrase to end your letter and to tell your friend that you will continue to communicate with them.

Tips:

1. Begin with Gratitude: Start your letter by expressing your thanks for the invitation. This shows that you appreciate their gesture and it sets a positive tone for the rest of the letter. You can say something like, "Thank you so much for inviting me to the music concert."

2. Be Clear and Honest: When explaining why you can't attend the concert, be clear and honest. Avoid making up excuses. Simply state your reasons in a straightforward manner, such as, "Unfortunately, I have a family commitment on the same day."

3. Offer an Alternative: After explaining why you can't attend, suggest an alternate plan to meet up. This shows that although you can't make it to the concert, you are still interested in spending time with your friend. You can suggest, "How about we grab a coffee next week instead?"

4. End on a Positive Note: It's important to end your letter in a cheerful and positive way. You could assure your friend that you look forward to meeting them soon. You can say something like, "I'm really looking forward to catching up with you soon."

5. Use Polite Language: Remember to use polite and friendly language throughout your letter. This will help maintain a good relationship with your friend, even though you are unable to attend the concert.

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Some people like to use their free time doing fun things. Other people think it is better to learn new things in their free time. Both of these ideas have good points.

When grown-ups do fun things in their free time, they can relax. This is good because it helps them to feel less stressed. For example, my friend, Maria, likes to read books in her free time. She says it helps her to forget about her work and feel calm. Also, when people do things they enjoy, they can be happy. This is important because being happy is good for our health.

On the other hand, learning new things in our free time can also be good. When we learn new things, we can become smarter. This can help us in our jobs and in our lives. For example, my cousin, Ahmed, learned to cook in his free time. Now, he can make delicious meals for his family. Also, learning new things can make us feel proud. This is good because feeling proud can make us feel good about ourselves.

In my opinion, both of these ideas are good. I think it is important to do fun things in our free time to relax and be happy. But, I also think it is good to learn new things to become smarter and feel proud. I like to do both. For example, I like to play football in my free time for fun. But, I also like to learn new languages to become smarter.

In conclusion, there are good points to both ideas. Grown-ups should do what makes them feel good in their free time. Whether that is doing fun things or learning new things.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Some people believe that adults should use their free time for fun activities, while others think it's better to use it to learn new things. Both of these views have their own benefits.

Enjoyable activities can help adults to relax and reduce stress. After a long day of work, doing something fun can make people feel happy and refreshed. For example, my friend, Maria, loves to paint in her free time. She says that painting helps her to forget about her work problems and makes her feel peaceful. So, doing fun activities can be a good way for adults to take care of their mental health.

On the other hand, learning new things can also be beneficial for adults. It can help them to improve their skills and knowledge, which can be useful in their work or personal life. For example, my cousin, Robert, decided to learn a new language in his free time. Now, he can speak Spanish and it has helped him to get a better job. So, learning new things can help adults to achieve their goals and improve their life.

In my opinion, adults should try to do both - fun activities and learning new things. It's important to have a balance. We need to relax and enjoy our life, but we also need to keep learning and growing. I try to follow this in my own life. I love to read books and watch movies, but I also try to learn new things, like cooking or playing a musical instrument.

In conclusion, both fun activities and learning new things have their own benefits for adults. It's up to each person to decide how they want to spend their free time. But, in my view, a balance of both can make our life more enjoyable and meaningful.

Band 9 Example Answer:

The allocation of leisure time is a topic that often sparks debate. Some individuals advocate for the pursuit of pleasurable activities during this time, while others suggest it should be utilized for learning new skills or knowledge. Both perspectives have their merits, which I will discuss before sharing my personal viewpoint.

On one hand, engaging in enjoyable activities during free time can significantly contribute to an individual's mental health. After a long week of work or study, indulging in hobbies or interests can provide a much-needed break and help to relieve stress. For example, my friend, Maria, who works as a nurse, spends her weekends painting. She asserts that this activity helps her unwind and rejuvenates her for the upcoming week. Furthermore, leisure activities can also foster creativity and innovation, which can indirectly enhance productivity in professional life.

On the other hand, using free time for learning can also be beneficial. By acquiring new skills or knowledge, individuals can improve their professional prospects or personal growth. For instance, learning a new language or digital skill can open up new job opportunities. Additionally, learning can also be a source of enjoyment. My colleague, Ahmed, spent his last summer learning to play the guitar, and he found the process both educational and entertaining.

In my opinion, a balance between these two approaches is ideal. While it is essential to relax and enjoy one's free time, it is equally important not to stagnate and to continue learning. Personally, I try to allocate my weekends for both relaxation and self-improvement. I spend my Saturday indulging in my favorite hobby, photography, and reserve Sundays for online courses or reading educational materials.

In conclusion, both enjoying leisure activities and using free time for learning have their advantages. However, striking a balance between the two can lead to a more fulfilling and productive life.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Leisure activities (noun phrase): These are things that people do for fun or relaxation when they're not working or studying. Like going to the beach or reading a book.
2. Acquire knowledge (verb phrase): This means to learn or get new information about something.
3. Personal development (noun phrase): This is about improving yourself, like learning new skills or getting better at things you already know how to do.
4. Recreational pursuits (noun phrase): These are things you do for fun or relaxation.
5. Expand horizons (verb phrase): This means to learn about new ideas, places, or cultures. It's like when you travel to a new country and learn about its culture.
6. Unwind (verb): This means to relax or rest, especially after doing something tiring or stressful. Like when you sit down and watch TV after a long day at work.
7. Productive use (noun phrase): This means using time or resources in a way that produces something useful or beneficial. Like studying for a test during your free time instead of watching TV.
8. Life-enhancing (adjective): This means something that makes your life better or more enjoyable. Like learning how to cook your favorite meal.
9. Stimulate the mind (verb phrase): This means to make your brain active or excited. Like when you solve a challenging puzzle or learn something new.
10. Balance (noun): This is about having the right amount or mixture of different things. Like having time for both work and fun.
11. Quality of life (noun phrase): This is about how good or satisfying your life is. It can include things like your health, happiness, and how much fun you have.
12. Self-improvement (noun): This is about making yourself better, like learning new skills, getting healthier, or becoming a better person.
13. Enrichment (noun): This is about making something better or more valuable. Like when you learn a new language and it helps you communicate with more people.
14. Maximize potential (verb phrase): This means to make the most of your abilities or skills.
15. Stress relief (noun phrase): This is about doing something that helps you relax and forget about your worries. Like doing yoga or listening to calm music.

Tips:

1. Understand the Question: The first step is to make sure you understand the question. You need to discuss the benefits of both spending free time on enjoyable activities and learning new things. Also, you are asked to share your own opinion. So, you need to cover all these points in your answer.

2. Plan Your Answer: Before you start writing, think about what you are going to say. Write down the benefits of both viewpoints and think of examples from your own life that support these points. Also, decide what your own opinion is and why you think this way. This will make your writing clearer and easier to follow.

3. Write a Clear Thesis Statement: In your introduction, you should write a thesis statement that clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, you could say something like "While some people believe that adults should spend their free time on enjoyable activities, others argue that they should use it to learn new things. Both viewpoints have their benefits, and I personally believe that a balance of both is ideal."

4. Use Examples: To make your essay more convincing, you should include examples from your own life or observations that support your points. For example, you could talk about a time when you learned something new in your free time and how it benefited you. Or, you could discuss how spending time on enjoyable activities helps you relax and recharge.

5. Stay on Topic: It's easy to get carried away and start talking about other things, but remember to stay focused on the question. Every paragraph should discuss a different benefit of either spending free time on enjoyable activities or learning new things. And don't forget to clearly state your own opinion and give reasons for it.