Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-31
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 9.0)
Dear Luis,
I am writing to offer my help with the upcoming international food event. I would be delighted to prepare a popular dish from my country, India, which I believe would be an excellent addition to the celebration.
The dish I have in mind is chicken biryani, a famous Indian rice dish made with fragrant basmati rice, tender chicken and a variety of aromatic spices. It is traditionally prepared by marinating the chicken, layering it with partially cooked rice, and then cooking everything together so that the flavours blend beautifully. It is usually served with raita or a fresh salad.
I believe chicken biryani should be included because it is one of the most popular dishes in India and represents the country’s rich culinary traditions. Its distinctive aroma, colourful appearance and delicious combination of spices would also give international students an opportunity to experience authentic Indian cuisine.
Please let me know if you would like me to prepare the dish. I look forward to contributing to this memorable event.
Best wishes,
Yogesh
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 9.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 9.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 9.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 9.0 |
| Overall | 9.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0
The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly offer to prepare a dish, provide a detailed description of chicken biryani, and offer a logical explanation for why it should be included in the event. The tone is consistently appropriate for a letter to an event organiser, maintaining a professional yet friendly register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, showing a clear understanding of the task requirements. There are no omissions, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening paragraph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0
The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the offer to the description and finally the justification. Cohesive devices such as 'The dish I have in mind', 'It is traditionally prepared', and 'I believe... should be included' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the transition between the description of the dish and the reasons for its inclusion is seamless. The overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 9.0
You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary. The use of descriptive terms such as 'fragrant', 'aromatic', 'tender', and 'distinctive aroma' is excellent and adds significant value to your description. The language is natural and sophisticated, fitting the context of the task perfectly. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of flexibility. This level of lexical control is indicative of a very high proficiency in English.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0
The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility and accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as the participial phrase 'layering it with partially cooked rice' and the conditional structure 'Please let me know if you would like me to prepare the dish.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over sentence structure is excellent, and the writing flows naturally without any awkward phrasing or slips.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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