Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-07-31
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He/She has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday
- describe some possible disadvantages
- say whether you would like to go camping with your friend this summer
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ................. ,
Student answer (Band 8.0)
Hi Khushi,
I am writing this in response to our phone call regarding your plan to go for camping this summer. I think it is the best idea to spend your vacation in the woods, near a lake and with your favourite drinks by your side!
I know that you are a summer baby; perhaps it would be great to celebrate your birthday at the beautiful campsite in Muskoka. You will definitely love the weather, as it always stays pleasant and warm there during early July, and the lakes have the clearest water at that time. I would suggest you to book your water tubing tickets beforehand because I am aware that you are an adventurous person and absolutely love water sports and wouldn't want to miss this wonderful activity.
However, I want to mention that the trip can get a bit uncomfortable during the nighttime, as there can be many mosquitoes and other insects that can give you a skin rash. The best thing would be to carry an itch-relief lotion at all times to prevent this.
I am trying to take some days off work during your birthday, as I would love to accompany you on this trip. I will call you once my leave is approved and we can plan this trip ahead.
I will wait to hear back from you.
With love,
Lakshika
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain why your friend would enjoy camping, provide a realistic disadvantage regarding insects, and confirm your interest in joining the trip. The tone is appropriately informal and friendly, fitting the letter format perfectly. The ideas are well-developed, such as the specific mention of Muskoka and the practical advice about itch-relief lotion. The letter is cohesive and maintains a consistent, helpful perspective throughout. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which makes the structure easy to follow. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'However', 'as', and 'because' to link your ideas effectively. The opening and closing are standard for a friendly letter, and the flow between paragraphs is smooth. The paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the reader can navigate the information without difficulty.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is natural and appropriate for an informal letter. Phrases like 'summer baby', 'water tubing', and 'itch-relief lotion' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more varied to reach the highest band. For example, instead of 'best idea', you could use 'fantastic suggestion'. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey your meaning precisely and fluently without any errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
Your grammar is generally strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. There is a minor error in the phrase 'I would suggest you to book', which should be 'I would suggest that you book' or 'I would suggest booking'. Despite this, the majority of your sentences are accurate, and your control over complex structures is consistent. The errors present are non-systematic and do not interfere with the clarity of your message.
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