Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-21

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 Joban,

I was thrilled to hear that you have been accepted into the prestigious University of Toronto! I know you have been working toward this for a while, and as I always told you, hard work pays off.

When I was a university student, I lived in the apartment complex located directly opposite Gate 3. There are plenty of accommodation options in the nearby area, and these units are generally in much better condition compared to those near the Thomson Park area. Furthermore, the neighborhood shopping plaza has all the amenities you might need, from grocery stores to convenience shops. Most importantly, the nearest library is just a five-minute walk away.

However, while inspecting potential rooms, be careful to ensure that all appliances are in proper working order—particularly the heating system. Winters in Toronto can be brutal, and having reliable heating is essential.

I hope you find a great place to stay!

Best wishes,

Amitoz Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The candidate has successfully addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt in a natural and engaging manner. Firstly, the email clearly describes where the writer lived when they were a student, mentioning the apartment complex opposite Gate 3. Secondly, it provides a solid recommendation on how to look for accommodation, highlighting the importance of inspecting potential rooms. Lastly, it warns the friend about common mistakes, specifically cautioning them to check that all appliances, especially the heating system, are in proper working order. The tone is entirely appropriate for writing to a friend, and the purpose of the email is fully achieved. The content is well-developed with relevant details, meeting all the requirements of the task efficiently and effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The email is logically organised, progressing smoothly from congratulating the friend, to describing past accommodation, to giving recommendations and warnings, and finally concluding warmly. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure. Cohesive devices are managed well without being overly mechanical; for instance, the use of transition words like 'Furthermore' and 'Most importantly' links ideas logically. Reference words are clear and unambiguous throughout, ensuring the reader can follow the narrative effortlessly. Overall, the flow and readability of the text reflect a high standard of coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The writer demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to an informal yet informative context. Phrases such as 'prestigious University of Toronto', 'accommodation options', and 'proper working order' show good control of collocation and natural phrasing. Less common lexical items are used effectively, such as 'brutal' to describe the winters and 'amenities' to describe local facilities. There are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, and the vocabulary allows the message to be conveyed with both precision and fluency. The lexical control comfortably aligns with the requirements of a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and relative clauses such as 'When I was a university student, I lived in the apartment complex located directly opposite Gate 3' and 'be careful to ensure that all appliances are in proper working order—particularly the heating system.' The grammar and punctuation are exceptionally accurate, with the majority of sentences being entirely error-free. Control over verb tenses is strong, seamlessly shifting between past experiences and future advice. The high level of grammatical accuracy ensures that communication is completely unimpeded.

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

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