Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-16

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Your English-speaking friend who lives in your town has asked for your advice about learning a new sport. Write an email to your friend. In your email:

• recommend a new sport that would be suitable for your friend to learn
• explain how your friend could learn this sport
• suggest that you both learn this sport together

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ....................................,

 

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear John,

I hope you are doing well. It was great to hear that you are thinking about learning a new sport. I think badminton would be an excellent choice for you, as it is enjoyable, easy to learn, and a great way to stay fit.

Firstly, badminton would suit you because you already enjoy activities that require quick movement and coordination. In addition, you do not need much equipment to get started; a racket, a few shuttlecocks, and comfortable sports shoes are enough. As a result, you can start playing without spending too much money.

I would recommend joining the local sports centre, which offers beginner badminton lessons twice a week. You could learn the basic rules and techniques from an instructor and then practise regularly to improve your skills. Watching a few online tutorials could also help you understand different shots and serving techniques.

Actually, I have been thinking about learning badminton myself, so why don't we join the beginner classes together? We could practise on weekends and motivate each other to improve. I think it would be much more enjoyable if we learned together.

Let me know what you think. Hope to see you soon!

Best wishes,

Navpreet

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You recommended badminton, provided a clear plan for learning it through local classes and tutorials, and extended a warm, logical invitation to learn together. The tone is consistently appropriate for an email to a friend, maintaining a friendly and encouraging persona throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader understands exactly what is being proposed. There are no omissions, and the response flows naturally from one requirement to the next, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task's purpose and audience.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The email is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which helps the reader follow your train of thought easily. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', 'As a result', and 'Actually', to link your sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate for an informal email, and the transition between recommending the sport and suggesting you learn it together is smooth and natural. The overall structure is coherent and easy to navigate.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of sports and hobbies. Phrases like 'quick movement and coordination', 'beginner badminton lessons', and 'motivate each other' are natural and accurate. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it stays within a fairly standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or idiomatic collocations related to sports, such as 'honing your skills' or 'a great way to stay in shape'. However, the current usage is precise and error-free, effectively conveying your message.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is very strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('if we learned together') and modal verbs ('could learn', 'would be') correctly, which adds variety to your writing. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The sentences are well-constructed, and the control over verb tenses is consistent throughout the email. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, with only very minor slips, if any, present.

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

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