Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-25

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 Sarah,

I’m very happy to hear that you are thinking about applying for the same course that I studied at university. I took a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, which lasted for three years. During the course, I studied subjects such as marketing, accounting, economics, human resources and business management. Although some subjects were challenging, the course was interesting and gave me many useful skills for my future career.

I highly recommend this university because it has experienced and helpful lecturers who are always willing to support students. In addition, the university has excellent facilities, a large library and many opportunities for internships and practical projects. The friendly atmosphere also makes it easy to meet new people.

Regarding the application, I suggest checking the university website for entry requirements and deadlines. Prepare your certificates and personal statement carefully, and ask a teacher to check your application before submitting it.

I hope my advice is useful. Good luck with your application!

Best wishes,

Alex

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly describe the Business Administration course, provide compelling reasons for recommending the university (lecturers, facilities, and atmosphere), and offer practical, logical advice regarding the application process. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a friendly and helpful persona throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader receives a comprehensive response to their request for advice. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific requirement of the task. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the course description to the university recommendation and finally to the application advice. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although,' 'In addition,' and 'Regarding,' which help to link your sentences and paragraphs naturally. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is clear and easy to follow, which is characteristic of a well-organized piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of university studies and advice. Phrases like 'willing to support,' 'excellent facilities,' and 'entry requirements' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or precise collocations to add nuance to your writing. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your message clearly and effectively without any errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of your sentences being error-free. You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses in 'Although some subjects were challenging, the course was interesting.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout the letter. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for this task.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.