Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-29

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 8.5)

Dear Sarah,

Congratulations on getting a place at the university! I’m really happy for you. I remember how stressful it was trying to find somewhere to live when I first started there, so I’d be glad to share what worked for me.

When I was a student, I lived in a shared apartment about fifteen minutes from campus by bus. I had two other roommates, and although the apartment was fairly small, it was comfortable and reasonably priced. The location was particularly convenient because there was a supermarket, a pharmacy and several cafés nearby.

I’d recommend looking for accommodation through the university’s student housing office or its official online accommodation platform. You could also join local student groups, where people often advertise rooms in shared houses. If possible, arrange a viewing before making any payment and compare several options rather than choosing the first one you find.

One mistake students often make is focusing only on the monthly rent. Make sure you find out whether utilities, internet and other expenses are included. It’s also important to check the condition of the property, the distance from campus and the terms of the rental agreement. Never send money before confirming that the accommodation and landlord are genuine.

I hope you find a great place. Let me know if you need any help!

Best wishes,

Amanat

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly described your past living situation, provided practical recommendations for finding accommodation, and gave sound advice regarding common pitfalls. The tone is consistently appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a friendly and helpful persona throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing a comprehensive answer that meets all requirements of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The email is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific requirement of the prompt, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices such as 'When I was a student', 'I’d also recommend', and 'One mistake students often make' to link your points smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion is natural and effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is natural and appropriate for the context of the letter. Phrases like 'reasonably priced', 'convenient', 'arrange a viewing', and 'genuine' are used accurately. The language is precise and fits the informal yet informative tone required for this task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is sufficient to express your ideas clearly and fluently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response shows a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'I remember how stressful it was trying to find somewhere to live when I first started there'). Punctuation is accurate throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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