Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-20
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 9.0)
Dear Sam,
I was so pleased to hear that you're thinking about going camping this summer! Since you've never tried it before, I thought I'd share a few thoughts to help you decide.
I honestly think you'd love it. You're always talking about how stressful work has been lately, and there's nothing quite like waking up to birdsong instead of an alarm clock. You also enjoy hiking and being outdoors, so spending a few days surrounded by nature, cooking over a campfire, and stargazing at night would probably suit you perfectly. It's also a refreshingly cheap way to holiday compared to hotels!
That said, it isn't without its downsides. The weather can be unpredictable, and there's nothing worse than a tent leaking in the middle of the night! You'll also need to get used to a lack of basic comforts - no hot showers, patchy phone signal, and having to cook everything from scratch. If you're not used to sleeping on the ground, your back might take a day or two to adjust as well.
As for me, I'd absolutely love to come along if you'll have me! I haven't been camping in years and it would be a great excuse to finally use the tent that's been gathering dust in my garage.
Let me know what you decide - I'm happy to help you plan if you go ahead.
Best wishes,
Shivam Patel
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 9.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 9.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 9.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 9.0 |
| Overall | 9.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0
You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You provided a clear explanation of why your friend would enjoy camping, such as the stress-relieving nature of the outdoors. You also balanced this by describing realistic disadvantages like unpredictable weather and a lack of modern comforts. Finally, you clearly stated your interest in joining the trip. The tone is perfectly suited to a letter to a friend, maintaining a friendly and informal register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and the response is cohesive and relevant to the task requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0
The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, making the structure easy to follow. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'That said', 'As for me', and 'Since you've never tried it before', which help to link your thoughts naturally. The paragraphing is skilful and appropriate for a letter format, ensuring that the transition between the benefits, the drawbacks, and your personal offer is smooth and unobtrusive.
Lexical Resource — Band 9.0
You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is highly appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'gathering dust', 'unpredictable', 'patchy phone signal', and 'refreshingly cheap' show a high level of control and a good grasp of natural collocations. The language is sophisticated yet remains accessible and conversational, which is exactly what is required for a General Training Task 1 letter. There are no errors in word choice, and the vocabulary contributes significantly to the overall tone of the piece.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0
Your control of grammar is excellent. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If you're not used to...') and relative clauses, with full accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity, and there are no grammatical errors throughout the text. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the range of structures used is wide and flexible, allowing you to express your ideas with precision and natural flow. This is a very strong performance in terms of grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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