Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · 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 9.0)

Thought for 3s



Dear Amara,

I was thrilled to hear you're considering applying for the same course I took, and I'd love to share what I know before you make up your mind.

I studied a three-year Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication at the University of Melbourne, which combined modules in journalism, digital media, and public relations. The course struck a great balance between theory and hands-on practice, and by the final year I was producing my own multimedia projects alongside industry placements.

I'd strongly recommend the university itself, not just the course. The faculty are genuinely supportive and always willing to give feedback outside class hours, and the campus has excellent facilities, including a fully equipped broadcast studio. On top of that, the career services team helped me secure two internships before I even graduated.

As for applying, I'd suggest starting the process at least six months in advance, since the popular intakes fill up quickly. You'll need strong academic transcripts and a personal statement, so make sure yours highlights any writing or media experience you already have. It's also worth booking an English proficiency test early, as slots get booked out fast closer to deadlines.

Do let me know if you'd like me to look over your application once you start it!

Warm regards,

Henry

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You provided clear details about your Mass Communication course, offered a compelling recommendation for the university by highlighting faculty support and career services, and gave practical, actionable advice regarding the application process. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant throughout. The letter is cohesive and maintains a consistent, helpful perspective from start to finish, meeting all the requirements of the prompt effectively.

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, moving smoothly from the course description to the university recommendation and finally to the application advice. Cohesive devices such as 'On top of that', 'As for applying', and 'since' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall readability of the letter, making the information easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of university applications and academic life. Phrases like 'struck a great balance', 'industry placements', and 'English proficiency test' show a high level of lexical control. The word choice is precise and contributes to the professional yet friendly tone of the letter. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used with flexibility and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, conditional structures, and varied verb tenses, all used with high accuracy. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The flow of the sentences is natural, and the control over complex syntax is consistent. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the overall grammatical quality is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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

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