Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

A friend of yours is thinking about applying for the same course that you did at university. He/She has asked for your advice about studying this subject. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

• give details of the course you took at the university
• explain why you recommend the university
• give some advice about how to apply

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear .................. ,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sagar,

I got your letter in which you asked for my advice about studying accounting at university. I am glad to hear that you are interested in this subject. Accounting was one of the best subjects I have learned throughout my academic journey because it is closely connected with daily business transactions and financial decision-making. The course provides valuable knowledge about managing finances, preparing financial reports, and understanding how businesses operate. Moreover, many assignments require a practical approach, which helps students develop essential skills for their future careers.

I do recommend York University because of its excellent reputation and quality of education. The university has experienced professors who provide practical knowledge along with theoretical concepts. In addition, the campus offers modern facilities, a supportive learning environment, and various opportunities for students to improve their professional skills.

Regarding the application process, I would suggest that you visit the university’s official website and carefully check the admission requirements. Make sure you prepare all your identification and educational documents, If you need any help with the application, feel free to ask me.

I hope my advice helps you make the right decision. I am sure you will enjoy studying accounting at university.

Best wishes,

Priyanka

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have addressed all three bullet points of the task effectively. You provided clear details about the accounting course, gave a convincing recommendation for York University by highlighting its reputation and facilities, and offered practical advice on the application process. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, being both informative and encouraging. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the prompt. To reach a higher band, you could provide even more specific personal anecdotes or 'insider' tips about the course to make the advice feel more authentic and tailored to a friend.

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 information easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In addition', and 'Regarding' to link your sentences and paragraphs effectively. The structure is coherent, and the transition between the course description and the application advice is smooth. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal-informal letter, and the overall flow is natural and easy to read.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas clearly and accurately. Phrases like 'daily business transactions', 'financial decision-making', and 'theoretical concepts' demonstrate a good grasp of the subject matter. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate, it is mostly standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, such as 'gain a competitive edge' or 'navigate the application process', to show a more flexible and precise command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are error-free, which allows for clear communication. There is a minor punctuation error in the final paragraph where a comma is used instead of a full stop ('...educational documents, If you need...'). Aside from this, your control over tense and sentence construction is strong. To improve, ensure you proofread for small punctuation slips, as these minor errors prevent the writing from being considered completely error-free.

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