Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-26
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 7.0)
Dear Bimpe,
How have you been? I was pleasantly surprised when I received your email asking for advice about a new sport you would love to learn.
Seeing that we have been friends for 10 years, I can confidently recommend that you learn how to swim. From our many interactions, you have chipped in one or two times that you enjoy watching people swim. I would also love it if you can also try out swimming. You can make new friends at the sports center and improve your French fluency through interactions with people. That would be a plus.
You would first have to look for a tutor online and check out their portfolio. Once you find a suitable teacher, you would choose the days of the week and number of hours that you would learn. Of course, you must leave out days for resting. It is important to have a good mindset and listen attentively to instructions.
On second thought, I also would love to join you in learning how to swim. I have been interested for a while but i was not motivated to start. I guess we can work on it together.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes,
Oyinloluwa
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The student has successfully addressed all bullet points outlined in the prompt in a natural and friendly email style. First, a suitable sport (swimming) is explicitly recommended to the friend Bimpe. Second, the writer clearly explains how the friend can learn this sport by suggesting finding an online tutor, reviewing portfolios, and scheduling lessons. Third, the suggestion that they both learn together is naturally incorporated towards the end of the letter. The tone is entirely appropriate for a general task, adopting a warm, semi-formal register suited for an English-speaking friend. Ideas are adequately extended, particularly regarding lesson planning and personal motivation, fulfilling all requirements for a solid band score in this category.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The response is logically organized with clear progression from greeting to the main recommendation, learning steps, and finally the suggestion to join together. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the message. Cohesive devices are handled adequately, such as 'Seeing that', 'Once you find', and 'On second thought', which link ideas smoothly. Referencing is generally clear, and the overall arrangement maintains coherence throughout, creating a natural flow fitting for an informal correspondence.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary appropriate for an informal email. Phrases like 'pleasantly surprised', 'confidently recommend', and 'suitable teacher' are used effectively. There is an interesting inclusion of 'improve your French fluency', which, while slightly unusual in the context of swimming, fits the conversational tone. A few minor lexical oddities occur, such as 'chipped in one or two times' instead of 'mentioned once or twice', but these do not impede communication. Spelling and word choice remain generally accurate, providing a clear and engaging message.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
The student employs a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and dependent clauses such as 'Once you find a suitable teacher, you would choose...' and 'Seeing that we have been friends for 10 years, I can confidently recommend...'. Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled. There is a minor capitalization slip ('i was not motivated'), but this is a very minor issue in an otherwise clean piece of writing. The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, displaying good control over tense usage and modal verbs.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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