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
Dear Anant,
I trust this letter finds you in high spirits. The news of your interest in applying for the astrophysicsAstrophysics course at university fills me with great excitement, as it brings back fond memories of my own academic journey in this captivating field.
Studying Astrophysics at the universityour alma mater was a truly enriching experience for me. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that explores the universe in depthdelves deep into the mysteries of the universe, covering topics such as cosmology, planetary science, and astrophysical instrumentation. The faculty members are renowned experts in their respective fields, fostering an intellectually stimulating environment that encourages curiositywhere curiosity thrives.
In recommending the university for your studies, I can attest to its commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. The state-of-the-art observatories, computational resources, and collaborative research opportunities provide students with unparalleled access to cutting-edge researchdiscoveries in Astrophysics.
As you embark on the application process, I encourage you to approach it carefully and honestlywith diligence and authenticity. Craft a compelling personal statement that showcases your passion for Astrophysics and highlights your academic achievements and research interests. If you need any help or advicerequire any assistance or guidance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Warm regardsRegards,
Manav Yadav
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response gives a well-organised and detailed account of the course, persuasive reasons for recommending the university, and useful application advice. Its main weakness is an unusually elevated, promotional register for a personal letter to a friend, which makes parts sound less natural and intimate. The highest-priority improvement is to retain the strong content while using warmer, more conversational wording.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
All three bullet points are clearly covered and developed, though the consistently formal register is not fully natural for writing to a friend.
Address the friend in a warmer, more personal voice while keeping the specific course details and practical advice.
Coherence and Cohesion
Each paragraph has a clear function, and the sequence from course experience to recommendation and application advice is easy to follow.
Use lighter transitions between ideas so the letter flows more like personal correspondence and less like a formal prospectus.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and topic-specific, but several grand expressions make the message sound promotional rather than conversational.
Replace phrases such as unparalleled access and intellectually stimulating environment with simpler wording suited to a close friend.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used with strong control and virtually no grammatical disruption.
Vary sentence openings and include a few shorter structures to make the highly accurate writing sound more spontaneous.
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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.