Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-06

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 am writing to offer my help with the upcoming international food event. I would be delighted to prepare butter chicken, a popular dish from my country, India, which I believe would be a great addition to the celebration.

Made with tender pieces of chicken cooked in a rich, mildly spiced tomato and butter sauce, butter chicken is known for its creamy texture and distinctive flavour. Traditionally served with naan or steamed rice, the dish combines aromatic spices with a slightly sweet and tangy sauce, making it suitable for people who may not be accustomed to particularly spicy food.

Given the international nature of the event, butter chicken would provide visitors with an authentic taste of Indian cuisine while also offering something that is widely enjoyed by people from different backgrounds. Moreover, its appealing aroma and colourful appearance would make it an attractive addition to the food selection. Having prepared this dish on several occasions, I would also be happy to bring all the necessary ingredients and prepare it fresh at the venue.

Please let me know if you would like me to take responsibility for this dish. I look forward to contributing to what I am sure will be an enjoyable event.

Best wishes,

Om

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly offer to make butter chicken, provide a vivid description of the dish, and offer a logical explanation for its inclusion, citing its accessibility and international appeal. 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 the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening paragraph. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the initial offer to the description, the justification, and finally the closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Given the', and 'Having prepared' are used naturally and effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is seamless, making the letter very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and precise range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'distinctive flavour', 'accustomed to', 'international nature', and 'authentic taste' show a high level of control and sophistication. The word choices are not only accurate but also enhance the descriptive quality of your writing. There are no errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the context of a food-related event.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with participial phrases ('Having prepared this dish...') and relative clauses ('...which I believe would be a great addition...'). The control over punctuation and sentence structure is excellent, and there are no grammatical errors. The accuracy is consistent throughout the entire response, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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

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