Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-02

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You are a member of an International Students' club. The club is organising an event to celebrate popular food from around the world.

Write a letter to the event organiser, Luis. In your letter

• offer to make a popular dish from your country
• describe what this dish is
• explain why it should be included in the event

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Luis,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Luis,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to suggest an Indian dish that could be included in our upcoming international food event.

As a long-standing member of the International Students' Club, I would like to recommend serving two popular South Indian dishes, dosa and idli. These dishes are widely enjoyed because they are healthy, affordable, and suitable for people with different dietary preferences. In addition, they are traditionally prepared during festivals and special occasions in India, making them a meaningful representation of Indian culture.

Another reason why I believe these dishes would be a great choice is that they are light and easy to digest. Idli, in particular, is a steamed dish that contains beneficial nutrients and is considered a healthy option. Furthermore, both dishes can be prepared in large quantities within a reasonable amount of time, which makes them practical choices for serving a large number of students.

I would appreciate it if you could consider including these dishes in the lunch menu for the event. I would also be happy to provide further information or assist with arrangements if required.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Yours faithfully,

Jack

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the task. You clearly offered to make a dish, described it (dosa and idli), and provided compelling reasons for its inclusion, such as health benefits and practicality for large groups. The tone is appropriate for a letter to an event organiser, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, demonstrating a strong understanding of the requirements. There are no omissions, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the task throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction, the description of the dishes, the justification for their inclusion, and the closing. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Another reason', and 'Furthermore', to link your points smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is clearly signalled throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'long-standing member', 'dietary preferences', 'meaningful representation', and 'practical choices' show a level of sophistication beyond basic communication. The word choice is precise and fits the tone of the letter well. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey your message clearly and effectively. You have successfully used topic-specific language related to food and event planning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with relative clauses ('...that could be included...', '...that contains beneficial nutrients...') and conditional structures ('...if you could consider...', '...if required'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall quality of the writing is very high, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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