Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-18
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 7.5)
Dear Victor,
How are you? I trust you are well. I understand that you are undecided as to which course and school to apply to for your University education. I hope to shed some light with this letter, using my own experience.
Firstly, my course of choice when I gained admission was English; the reason why I preferred English to other courses was because of the vast literature I will be able to read while studying the course. However, I was advised by the school counsellor to rather apply for Law, since my future ambition was to become a lawyer. I was told that it aligned better with my career goal, and that I would have to take some internship courses in a Law Firm.
University of Ibadan is not only the first university in Nigeria, but it is also ranked the best University in Africa. The university has over 300 emeritus professors. This makes it possible for students to be exposed to the best players in all industries right from their first year. Unlike some other universities that can only boast of PhD holders as lecturers, the University of Ibadan has the best available lecturers in all fields of study.
The admission application portal will be open till the last week in December. In case you eventually decide to apply, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I can help you contact the Dean of the Faculty of Law to help with a fast-track application process. You can also check the school's website www.unibadan.com, for more information on the application process.
Trust you will make the right decision.
Best wishes,
Tofunmi
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly described your course (Law), explained why the university is recommended (prestige, faculty quality), and provided practical advice on the application process. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a consistent and helpful persona throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing specific details such as the university's ranking and the application deadline. The response is fully focused on the task requirements, and the structure is logical and easy to follow.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The letter is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader navigate the information easily. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', 'not only... but also', and 'In case you eventually decide'. These transitions are generally natural and effective. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the body points, and the conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the overall flow of the letter is smooth and coherent.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of university applications. Phrases like 'shed some light', 'gained admission', 'emeritus professors', and 'fast-track application process' show a good command of language. There is a slight tendency towards slightly formal or academic phrasing in a letter to a friend (e.g., 'I trust you are well' is fine, but the body paragraphs feel a bit like an essay), but this does not impede communication. The word choice is generally precise and fits the task well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response shows a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'Unlike some other universities that can only boast of PhD holders as lecturers, the University of Ibadan has the best available lecturers'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are very few errors. While there are minor slips (e.g., 'apply for Law' is acceptable, but 'apply to study Law' is more natural), the majority of sentences are error-free. The grammatical range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and fluently.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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