Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-21
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 7.0)
Dear Joban,
I hope you are doing well. I'm glad that you asked for my advice and I will be more than happy to assist you in this matter.
The course I took was masters of agriculture majoring in agronomy from the University of Guelph. It was a thesis based coursework, you have to submit a formal, in depth research project for completion of the degree. It took me three years to complete it.
The reason behind recommending the University of Guelph is that it is among the top Universities in the Canada. Moreover, it has separate center for the masters program and vast agricultural research farmland for experiments. In addition to this, you will get exposure to the rural Canadian culture which will help you understand the traditions and culture of the country.
If you wish to apply, the process is quite easy. First, make an account on the University portal and then search for the available mentor for the current curriculum. Send them your resume with your published article. Once approved, you are good to go.
Let me know your decision.
Hope to see you soon.
With love,
Amitoz Singh
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
You address all three requested points and maintain a friendly, appropriate tone for a letter to a friend. The course is identified as a master’s in agriculture, majoring in agronomy, and you explain its thesis-based structure and duration. Your reasons for recommending Guelph include its standing, research facilities and exposure to Canadian rural culture. The application advice is also practical, with steps involving the university portal and contacting a potential mentor. These ideas are clear and relevant, though some are stated broadly: for example, “among the top Universities” would be more convincing with a specific reason or example, and the application guidance could clarify what documents or deadlines to check. Overall, the purpose is clear and the main ideas are extended, but a little more precise support would strengthen the advice.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The letter is organised in a clear sequence: an opening, a paragraph about the course, a paragraph explaining the recommendation, and a final paragraph giving application steps. This progression makes the information easy to follow. You also use linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “In addition to this,” and “First,” to connect and order ideas. The closing is suitable and reinforces the friendly relationship. To make the flow more polished, avoid relying on several formal transitions in succession; some links could be made more naturally through the relationship between the sentences. The application instructions would also benefit from clearer step-by-step separation, perhaps using “After that” and “Finally,” so the sequence is unmistakable. Overall, cohesion is effective, with some room for more flexible linking.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
You use a relevant range of vocabulary for describing postgraduate study and university facilities, including “agronomy,” “thesis based,” “research project,” “mentor,” and “published article.” These choices communicate the subject matter clearly, and the friendly tone is generally appropriate. Some expressions are less natural or precise, however. “Separate center for the masters program” is unclear, while “vast agricultural research farmland” is an awkward combination; “extensive agricultural research farm” would be more idiomatic. “The reason behind recommending” is also wordier than necessary, and “good to go” is quite informal for explaining an application process. Greater control of collocation and register would make the vocabulary more flexible and precise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
You use a mix of simple and more developed sentence forms, including the explanation of the thesis-based course and the sequence of application steps. Most meaning remains clear, and the letter includes some accurate complex structures, such as “which will help you understand…” However, several grammatical errors remain. In “It was a thesis based coursework, you have to submit…,” two clauses are joined with a comma, and the tense shifts from past to present; separate the clauses and keep the description consistent. Articles and number also need attention in “in the Canada” and “separate center,” while “a masters program” requires a more accurate possessive or plural form. These are generally understandable, but proofreading sentence boundaries, articles and agreement would improve accuracy.
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