Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-31
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 8.0)
Dear Preet,
I'm overjoyed to know that you have been offered a place at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. I'm writing to provide you with advice on searching for accommodation.
When I was doing my Post Baccalaureate in Business Management from this university, I rented a shared apartment with other girls. That apartment is situated at Macaulay's Street and I believe most of the properties available in that particular area are rental accommodations. Also. it was convenient to commute to university and work because of frequent availability of bus service.
In the past, it was easy for students to connect with property manager and ask for the availability of an apartment but I am sure now the manager has moved to a different area so I'd recommend you to get a reference from someone living in those apartments or put a notice in Indian Community Facebook page if any room or shared house is available. I'm certain that somebody with definitely come up with an option for you.
Don't pay anything in advance to anyone before you check the place as i have seen many students get scammed by false advertisements. Also don't rush to move until you inspect that room is clean and well maintained.
I'm sure you'll be able to get an accommodation soon. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any other help.
Stay safe,
Raj
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You clearly described your past living situation, provided a practical recommendation for finding accommodation, and offered a relevant warning regarding potential scams. The tone is appropriate for an email to a friend, maintaining a consistent and helpful persona throughout. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the email is clear from the outset. You have successfully covered all parts of the prompt, ensuring the reader receives comprehensive advice.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The email is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific requirement of the prompt, which aids readability. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Also', 'In the past', and 'I'm certain that', which help connect your thoughts smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate for an informal email format. While some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated, the overall flow is natural and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for this task, such as 'overjoyed', 'convenient to commute', and 'well maintained'. The language is natural and fits the context of giving advice to a friend. There are minor issues, such as the phrasing 'doing my Post Baccalaureate... from this university' (usually 'at' this university) and 'somebody with definitely come up' (a typo for 'will'). However, these do not impede communication and you successfully use some less common collocations, showing a sufficient range for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There is good control over punctuation and sentence construction. However, there are a few minor errors, such as the sentence fragment 'Also. it was...' (incorrect punctuation) and the typo 'i' (should be capitalized 'I'). Additionally, 'inspect that room is clean' would be more natural as 'inspect that the room is clean'. Despite these occasional slips, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your grammar is generally accurate and easy to understand.
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