Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-13

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The younger sister of one of your friends is thinking about spending a year studying abroad as part of her university course. You did this recently, and she has asked you about your experience.

Write a letter to your friend's sister. In your letter

• tell her where you studied during your year abroad

• describe what you learnt about the country you studied in

• explain why your year abroad was helpful for your studies

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear........,

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Dear Anna,

I would like to start by congratulating you on reaching this important stage in your academic journey. I must say that you made an excellent choice in applying to Davons College, one of the country's highly regarded institutions. You have certainly made us all proud. Having studied there about two years ago, I understand how much hard work and dedication it must have taken to get to this point, and I am sure you have already done considerable research about the college. Nevertheless, I would like to share a few tips that may help you make your stay both enjoyable and memorable.

My experience at Davons was very much like being at home away from home, largely because of the International Students' Association, of which I was a member. We supported one another and looked after each other like a family. One of the first challenges you may encounter is culture shock. You may initially find it difficult to adjust to the weather, food, public transport and even the accents of local people. However, do not worry; these challenges are a normal part of adapting to a new environment. Give yourself time, remain open-minded and do not hesitate to connect with other international students.

The opportunity to study abroad for a one-year course was one of the most valuable experiences of my academic life. It enabled me to gain international exposure and develop a deeper understanding of my field of study. What I found particularly beneficial was the practical component of the programme, which provided hands-on experience and showed me how theoretical knowledge could be applied to real-world situations. In addition, I had the privilege of learning directly from renowned professionals in my field, an experience that significantly broadened my perspective.

I am confident that you will have a wonderful and rewarding experience in the UK. Embrace every opportunity to learn, meet new people and experience a different culture. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and make memories that will stay with you long after you graduate.

Best wishes,

Florence

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student covers all the communicative functions required by the prompt, though there is a slight confusion in the opening paragraphs regarding who is who. The prompt asks you to write to a friend's younger sister who is thinking of studying abroad, but the student addresses 'Anna' as if she has already applied and been accepted to Davons College ('congratulating you on reaching this important stage', 'applying to Davons College'). Despite this slight misinterpretation of the timeline, all bullet points are addressed: the location is mentioned (Davons College in the UK), what was learnt about the country is touched upon (weather, food, public transport, local accents), and the academic benefits are fully explained with reference to practical components and renowned professionals. Ideas are well developed and extended.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression from the welcoming opening to practical tips, academic benefits, and a warm sign-off. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct theme. Cohesive devices are handled well naturally ('Nevertheless', 'However', 'What I found particularly beneficial', 'In addition'). Referencing is mostly clear, though as noted in Task Achievement, the persona assumed at the start feels slightly mixed up regarding whether Anna is planning to study abroad or has already done so. Overall, the essay flows smoothly and is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to a semi-formal letter. Expressions such as 'academic journey', 'highly regarded institutions', 'international exposure', 'hands-on experience', and 'renowned professionals' show strong lexical control and precision. There are only occasional minor lapses, but the choice of vocabulary is generally sophisticated and natural, allowing for smooth communication without any strain on the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free. The student employs varied clause types effectively, such as participle clauses ('Having studied there about two years ago'), conditional-like contexts, and embedded relative clauses ('of which I was a member'). Grammatical control is very strong throughout, with correct punctuation and only very occasional minor slips that do not impede communication in any way.

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