Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-27
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
Your friend has been offered a place on a course at the university where you studied. He/She would like your advice about finding a place to live.
Write an email to your friend. In your email
- describe where you lived when you were a student at the university
- recommend the best way for him/her to look for accommodation
- warn him/her of mistakes students make when choosing accommodation
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your email as follows:
Dear ..........,
Student answer (Band 7.0)
DEAR JOHN
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ADMISSION INTO MY ALMER MATER. I AM WRITING TO EASE YOUR SETTLING IN BY PROVIDING SOME IDEAS AND INFORMATION CONCERNING ACCOMMODATION.
DURING MY DAYS IN THE UNIVERSITY, I LIVED ALONE, MY APARTMENT IS A STONE THROW FROM THE BACK GATE OF THE UNIVERSITY. TO BE MORE PRECISE, IT IS A 2 STORY BUILDING WITH A BROWN ROOFING SHEET ADJACENT TO THE BACK GATE OF THE UNIVERSITY.
IT CAN BE A HUGE TASK SECURING A SUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PERIOD . HOWEVER, IT IS ACHEIVABLE, I WOULD ADVISE YOU EMPLOY THE SERVICES OF REGISTERED REAL ESTATE AGENTS, THEY HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE RELIABLE.
FROM WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST, STUDENTS HAVE DERAILED IN MAKING CHOICES ABOUT WHERE THEY WILL STAY. ONE OF THOSE MISTAKES IS THAT MANY STUDENTS DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO PROXIMITY TO THE UNIVERSITY WHEN THEY FOCUS MORE ON THE BEST OF HOUSES. DUE TO THE AFOREMENTIONED, THEY END UP SPENDING MORE ON HOW THEY COMMUTE TO SCHOOL ON DAILY BASIS.
JOHN, I HOPE MY SUGGESTIONS ABOVE WOULD BE OF HELP AND IN CASE YOU NEED ANYTHING FURTHER, DO NOT MIND TO RING ME
YOURS SINCERELY
EBUKA
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You described your previous living situation, recommended using real estate agents, and warned against ignoring proximity to the university. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the purpose is clear throughout. The ideas are relevant and sufficiently developed to meet the requirements of the task. To reach a higher band, ensure that your descriptions are slightly more detailed, perhaps by explaining why the proximity to the university is so critical beyond just the cost of commuting, such as the social benefits or time-saving aspects.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The email is logically organized with clear paragraphing, which helps the reader follow your advice easily. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'However' and 'From what I have experienced', to link your ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words. For instance, the transition between the warning about mistakes and the conclusion could be smoother. Overall, the structure is clear and the progression of ideas is logical, which is sufficient for a solid score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'accommodation', 'proximity', and 'registered real estate agents'. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'ALMER MATER' (should be 'alma mater') and 'ACHEIVABLE' (should be 'achievable'). While these do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions that would be natural in a friendly email, such as 'keep an eye out for' or 'a stone's throw away' (note the possessive).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'my apartment is a stone throw' (should be 'a stone's throw') and 'on daily basis' (should be 'on a daily basis'). Additionally, there is a comma splice in the sentence 'I would advise you employ the services of registered real estate agents, they have been found to be reliable.' Using a semicolon or a conjunction would correct this. Increasing the variety of complex sentence structures and refining punctuation will help elevate your score.
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