Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: - give details of the course you took at the university - explain why you recommend the university - give some advice about how to apply
Sample Response
HiDear Ramya,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was delighted to hearIt’s come to my attention that you’re thinking of applyingcontemplating applying for the Molecular Biology course at my universityat university, and I couldn’t be more excited for you. Having pursued this very course myself, I can attest to how thoroughly it exploresits richness and depth in exploring the complexities of cellular mechanisms and genetic engineering.
Choosing the university for your studieshigher education journey would undoubtedly be a wise decision. The institution boasts world-class laboratories, esteemed faculty members, and a supportive academic community. The campus’s dynamic atmosphere fosters collaboration and innovation, providing an ideal environment for aspiring scientists like youyourself.
As for the application process, my advice would be to approach it carefully and honestlywith thoroughness and sincerity. Take the time to craft a compelling personal statement that articulates your passion for Molecular Biology and showcases your academic achievements and research interests. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the university and submit your application well before the deadline.
I have every confidence that you possess the qualities to thrive in this program and make significant contributions to the field of Molecular Biology. Should you need any assistance or have further questions about the application process, feel free to ask mereach out to me.
Best wishes,
Kaustav Vashist
Why this response received Band 8.5
The response is exceptionally clear and well organised, giving relevant course details, persuasive reasons for recommending the university, and practical application advice. Its main limitation is an overly formal, promotional register for a letter to a friend, which sometimes makes the voice sound less personal. The priority is to retain the precise content while replacing institutional phrasing with warmer, more conversational language.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are fully addressed with relevant detail, and the purpose remains clear throughout the letter.
Use a more consistently friendly and personal register instead of formal phrases such as “the institution boasts” and “higher education journey.”
Coherence and Cohesion
Each paragraph has a distinct communicative purpose, and the progression from course details to recommendation and application advice is effortless.
Keep the same structure while making the transition into the closing slightly more concise.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is broad and precise, particularly when describing the subject, university facilities, and application materials.
Choose more conversational wording for a friend so that sophisticated vocabulary supports rather than distances the personal voice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentences are consistently accurate, well controlled, and varied, with punctuation supporting clarity throughout.
Preserve this strong control while occasionally using shorter sentence patterns to create a more natural informal rhythm.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- give details of the course you took at the university
- explain why you recommend the university
- give some advice about how to apply
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.