Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-07-29

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 8.5)

Dear Sarah,

I hope you are doing well. I was delighted to hear that you are considering applying for the same course that I completed at university. I would be happy to share my experience with you.

I studied a **Bachelor of Business Management**, which covered a wide range of subjects, including marketing, finance, human resource management, accounting, and project management. The course also involved practical assignments, group projects, and presentations that helped me develop both academic knowledge and professional skills.

I strongly recommend this university because it provides excellent teaching facilities, experienced lecturers, and a supportive learning environment. The campus has a modern library, well-equipped computer labs, and various student support services. Moreover, the university offers career guidance, internship opportunities, and networking events, which greatly improve students' employment prospects after graduation.

As for the application process, I suggest that you visit the university's official website and carefully read the admission requirements. Make sure you prepare all the necessary documents, such as your academic transcripts, English language test results, and passport copy. It is also a good idea to submit your application well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute problems. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the university's admissions office, as they are always willing to help.

I am sure you will enjoy the course and benefit from studying at this university. Let me know if you need any further assistance with your application. I would be glad to help.

Best wishes,

Satwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You provided clear details about the Bachelor of Business Management, explained the reasons for your recommendation (facilities, support, and career prospects), and offered practical advice on the application process. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant. The response is cohesive and maintains a consistent, helpful tone throughout, successfully fulfilling all requirements of the prompt.

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, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Moreover,' 'As for,' and 'It is also a good idea to,' which help guide the reader through the text. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent, making the letter very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'employment prospects,' 'admission requirements,' and 'supportive learning environment' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it remains relatively standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to add flair, but the current range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and precisely without any errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You have used a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of relative clauses ('which covered a wide range...') and conditional structures ('If you have any questions...'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writing is fluent and error-free, which is characteristic of a high-level performance.

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