Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently did a short cookery course. The cookery school has asked for your feedback on this course. Write a letter to the course director at the cookery school. In your letter

• describe what you enjoyed about the course
• say how much cooking you've done since the course
• suggest another cookery course you’d like the school to offer

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 9.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to provide feedback on the short cookery course I recently completed at your institution. Overall, it was a highly rewarding experience that has significantly boosted my confidence in the kitchen.

What I enjoyed most about the course was the practical, hands-on teaching method. The instructor was exceptionally knowledgeable and broke down complex culinary techniques, such as precise knife skills and sauce reductions, into simple steps. Furthermore, using fresh, high-quality ingredients made the entire cooking process incredibly engaging.

Since completing the course two weeks ago, I have been cooking almost every evening. I have already successfully recreated the pan-seared salmon and the artisan bread for my family, both of which received high praise. The skills I gained have completely transformed my daily meal preparation from a tedious chore into an enjoyable hobby.

Regarding future programs, I would like to suggest that the school offer a course dedicated to traditional West African cuisine. A specialized module covering authentic spice blends, slow-cooked stews, and classic rice dishes would attract many local food enthusiasts looking to master heritage recipes.Thank you for a fantastic learning experience.

Yours faithfully,

Mayowa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You described your enjoyment of the practical teaching methods, provided a clear update on your cooking frequency since the course, and offered a relevant, well-reasoned suggestion for a future course on West African cuisine. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a course director. The ideas are well-developed and the response is cohesive, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. You have maintained a professional and enthusiastic tone throughout, which is exactly what is expected for this type of correspondence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'Since completing the course', and 'Regarding future programs', to link your ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; instead, the flow of the letter feels natural and professional, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary throughout the letter. Phrases such as 'highly rewarding experience', 'exceptionally knowledgeable', 'tedious chore', and 'specialized module' show a sophisticated level of control. You use collocations accurately, such as 'master heritage recipes' and 'recreated the pan-seared salmon'. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also varied, which helps to convey your message with clarity and flair. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is perfectly suited to the formal context of the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You have successfully used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the participial phrase 'using fresh, high-quality ingredients' and the relative clause 'looking to master heritage recipes'. The punctuation is accurate, and the verb tenses are used correctly to reflect the timeline of your experience. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few structures used are consistently accurate. There is a good balance between simple and complex sentences, which makes the text readable and engaging while maintaining a formal tone.

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