Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27
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 7.5)
Dear Sam,
I hope you are in radiant health and best of spirits. I am writing this letter in response to your queries regarding the accommodation.
While I was studying at the university, I was living on James Street. Although the rent on James street is a bit higher than other places, I was able to save the transportation cost as my house was at the walking distance from the university.
I would like to recommend that you should use the Facebook marketplace for finding suitable accommodations. Moreover, advertisement area of the university is also a viable option where landlords and students usually post about vacant rooms. These options do not charge any commission like the realtors.
In addition to this, I would like to warn you of some mistakes that students usually make while looking for an apartment. Always look for in-house laundry as going to laundry shops will consume your valuable time, efforts and money. Additionally, do not forget to buy a house insurance as it will cover your personal belongings in case of theft and fire.
Hoping to see you soon and wishing you all the very best for future studies.
Yours lovingly,
Achin Pal
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly described your former residence on James Street, provided practical recommendations regarding Facebook Marketplace and the university's advertisement area, and offered relevant warnings about laundry and insurance. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the purpose of the email is clear throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task requirements, showing a good understanding of the prompt's needs.
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 helps the reader follow your advice easily. You make good use of cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In addition to this', and 'Additionally' to link your points. The paragraphing is appropriate for an informal email, and the transition between the description of your past experience and your current recommendations is smooth and natural.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'radiant health', 'best of spirits', and 'viable option' show a level of sophistication. While there are minor issues with collocation, such as 'advertisement area' (which might be better phrased as 'notice board' or 'classifieds section') and 'do not forget to buy a house insurance' (where 'house insurance' or 'renter's insurance' is more natural), these do not impede communication. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your message clearly and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response shows a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as 'at the walking distance' (should be 'within walking distance') and 'the rent on James street' (should be capitalized as 'James Street'). However, these are rare and do not affect the clarity of your writing. You have demonstrated a solid grasp of English grammar throughout the email.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.