Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-07

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 Rahul,

I’m glad to hear that you’re considering applying for the same course I studied at university. I’d be more than happy to share some details and offer you a few suggestions.

I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Greenfield University, where I studied subjects such as marketing, accounting, business communication and financial management. The course lasted three years and included both theoretical lessons and practical projects.

I would definitely recommend this university because of its experienced professors, excellent facilities and supportive learning environment. The university also has a well-equipped library and computer labs, and students have plenty of opportunities to participate in workshops and internships. In my experience, the teaching staff were approachable and always willing to help students with their academic work.

As for the application process, I suggest that you first check the university’s website carefully and make a list of the admission requirements. You will need to prepare your academic certificates, a statement of purpose and proof of English proficiency, if required. Try to apply well before the deadline, and make sure that all the information in your application is accurate.

I hope you find these suggestions useful. If you have any questions about the course or application process, feel free to call me.

Best wishes,

Om

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 Business Administration course, offered a logical explanation for why you recommend the university (citing facilities and staff), and gave practical, actionable advice regarding the application process. The tone is consistently appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a friendly and helpful register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and the response is balanced, ensuring that each requirement is given sufficient attention. You have successfully met all the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing each bullet point, and a polite closing. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As for the application process', 'In my experience', and 'where I studied', which help to link your ideas naturally. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different topics, making the letter easy to read. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure is coherent and well-managed.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of university applications and course descriptions. Phrases such as 'theoretical lessons', 'practical projects', 'supportive learning environment', and 'proof of English proficiency' show a good command of topic-specific language. The word choice is natural and precise throughout the letter. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is consistently appropriate for the task. There are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is sufficiently flexible for this task type.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of relative clauses ('where I studied subjects such as...') and conditional structures ('If you have any questions...'). Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable errors in tense or subject-verb agreement. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. The writing is clear, fluent, and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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