Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-17
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A family member is coming to stay with you. He/she will be arriving by train in the morning, but you won’t be home until the evening.
explain arrangements you have made for them to have keys and get into the house
tell your relative how to get from the train station to your house
say when you will be home and suggest what you could do together that evening
Student answer (Band 7.5)
Dear Sarah,
I’m really happy that you are coming to stay with me. I’m sorry that I won’t be at home when you arrive, but don’t worry because I have made arrangements for you.
I have left a spare key with my neighbour, Mrs Khan, who lives next door. When you arrive, just go to her house and tell her that you are my cousin. She will give you the key. My house is the second one on the right.
From the train station, you can take a taxi to my house. It should take about 15 minutes, depending on the traffic. You can show my address to the driver if necessary.
I will be home at around 6:30 p.m. After you have rested, we can have dinner together. There is a nice restaurant near my house, or we can stay home and cook something together.
I’m really looking forward to seeing you!
Yours Faithfully,
X.Y.Z
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The student has successfully covered all three bullet points required in the prompt. First, the arrangements for getting the house keys are clearly explained by mentioning the neighbour, Mrs Khan. Second, practical instructions on how to travel from the train station to the house via taxi are provided. Third, the arrival time of 6:30 p.m. is stated, accompanied by a natural suggestion for evening activities such as dining out or cooking together. The tone is entirely appropriate for a letter to a family member, maintaining a friendly and welcoming register throughout. The response fully addresses all parts of the task with well-developed ideas, meeting the criteria for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The letter is well-structured and easy to follow. Ideas are logically sequenced, beginning with a warm greeting and expression of delight, moving systematically through the key arrangements, travel directions, and evening plans, and concluding with a friendly sign-off. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph dedicated to a distinct topic (keys, transport, evening plans). Cohesive devices are used naturally, such as 'When you arrive', 'From the train station', and 'After you have rested'. The flow of information is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout, reflecting the descriptors for a strong performance.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary used is natural, precise, and entirely adequate for a semi-formal or informal letter. Phrases such as 'spare key', 'depending on the traffic', and 'looking forward to seeing you' demonstrate a natural control of everyday language and collocation. While the vocabulary is not overly academic, this is entirely appropriate for the General Training task type. There are no spelling or word-choice errors, and the student communicates their ideas fluently and accurately. The lexical range is fully sufficient for this task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The writing displays a very good control of grammar and punctuation. The student successfully employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional and temporal clauses ('When you arrive, just go to her house and tell her that you are my cousin' and 'After you have rested, we can have dinner together'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of structures is flexible and accurate, aligning well with the descriptors for this band level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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