Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-27
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 6.5)
Dear John,
I hope your doing well! It's been a long time since we last met. I'm writing this letter to motivate you for selecting the course that I did during my time at University of Ottawa.
University of Ottawa is known for it's computer science program. It has a ton of opportunities including co-ops, internship etc. During my time, I did 4 co-op terms at different companies and that helped me to get my foot into the industry.
Besides academic, this university has lot to offer in terms of sports ammenities. For instance, full size Basket Ball, Ice Hockey, Soccer courts etc. I bet that you'll have a great time there not only in summer's but during winters as well.
Lastly, I will encourage you to apply asap for next fall term because often times admissions are based on first come first serve basis. Also, make sure to include all the sports related activities that you did during your high school in your statement of purpose.
Looking forward to catch up with you soon.
Best wishes,
Jay Patel
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The response successfully covers all three bullet points required in the task. First, the writer gives details of the course by mentioning the computer science program at the University of Ottawa and their own experience with four co-op terms. Second, the writer explains recommendations for the university by highlighting opportunities like internships and sports amenities. Finally, advice on how to apply is provided, including applying as soon as possible for the next fall term and highlighting high school sports activities. The purpose is clearly stated, and the tone is appropriate for writing to a friend, fully satisfying the requirements of a general task 1 letter.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The letter has a clear logical organization with a natural progression of ideas from greeting to course details, facilities, application advice, and sign-off. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, such as academic details in the second paragraph, campus amenities in the third, and application advice in the fourth. Cohesive devices are used adequately with phrases like 'Besides academic', 'For instance', and 'Lastly'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes a bit basic, keeping this criterion at a solid level.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for an informal letter, including terms like 'motivate', 'opportunities', 'co-ops', and 'statement of purpose'. There are a few lexical errors and inaccuracies, such as 'Besides academic' instead of 'Besides academics', 'sports ammenities' containing a spelling error, and 'First come first serve' instead of 'first-come, first-served'. Despite these occasional errors, the vocabulary is fully sufficient to convey the intended message clearly without impeding communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'I'm writing this letter to motivate you for selecting the course that I did during my time at University of Ottawa.' There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips present, most notably 'your doing well' instead of 'you're doing well', 'it's computer science' instead of 'its computer science', and 'in summer's' containing an unnecessary apostrophe. However, these errors are non-systematic and do not impede overall comprehension, allowing the student to achieve a solid band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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