Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-18

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called 'The book that influenced me most'.

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter

- describe what this book was about
- explain how this book influenced you
- say whether this book would be likely to influence other people

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to share my experience of a book that has influenced me greatly. The book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

The book is about a young shepherd named Santiago who dreams of finding a hidden treasure. During his journey, he meets different people who teach him important lessons about life, courage and following his dreams. The main message of the book is that people should believe in themselves and not be afraid of taking risks to achieve their goals.

This book influenced me by changing the way I think about my future. It taught me that success does not come easily and that we should continue working towards our goals even when we face difficulties. After reading it, I became more confident and motivated to work hard for my education and future career. It also taught me to learn from my mistakes instead of giving up.

I believe this book could influence other people as well, especially young people who are confused about their future. Its simple story and positive message can encourage readers to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

Thank you for considering my contribution.

Yours faithfully,

X Y Z

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully and effectively addresses all bullet points outlined in the prompt. You adopt an appropriate semi-formal tone suitable for a magazine contribution. You describe the chosen book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, by clearly outlining the protagonist Santiago's journey and central quest. Furthermore, you provide a thoughtful explanation of how the book influenced your thinking about your future, increasing your motivation and resilience. Finally, you clearly state why the book would appeal to others, specifically highlighting young people who feel uncertain about their paths. All parts are well-developed with relevant supporting ideas, earning a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Your letter is well-organized with a clear, logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the introductory statement to the book description, your personal influence, the broader appeal to others, and a polite sign-off. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'During his journey', 'After reading it', and 'It also taught me', without feeling mechanical or overused. Paragraphing is handled properly, ensuring the reader can easily follow your train of thought from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is natural, appropriate, and sufficient to communicate your ideas precisely. You successfully integrate less common phrases such as 'hidden treasure', 'follow their dreams', 'future career', and 'positive message'. While the lexical range is not overly complex or academic, it is entirely adequate for a General Training letter of this type and is used with a high degree of accuracy. Word choices and collocations feel natural throughout, resulting in clear and smooth communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a strong command of grammatical structures by successfully combining simple and complex sentences. Your use of subordinate clauses—such as 'who are confused about their future' and 'even when we face difficulties'—shows a good range. The majority of your sentences are entirely error-free, with accurate punctuation and consistent control over verb tenses. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication, reflecting solid command over sentence patterns.

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