What band is this answer?

Approximately Band 8.0, rated against the public IELTS band descriptors.

Are the corrections from a real examiner?

They are marked by a former IELTS examiner and examiner trainer, using the same criteria used in the test.

How do I see the corrections?

Click any highlighted word or phrase to see what is wrong with it and what it should be. Show all corrections opens every one at once.

Is this a real candidate answer?

Yes. It is reproduced exactly as written, errors included, which is why it is more useful than a model answer.

How long should I spend on this task?

About 20 minutes, writing at least 150 words.

Band 8

IELTS General Training Task 1 Band 8 sample answer 1

A real candidate answer at Band 8, with every examiner correction marked on it. 8 corrections.

Get your writing marked By a former IELTS examiner and examiner trainer

Band 8 answers are accurate and well organised. The few corrections marked here are mostly about naturalness rather than error.

Very few candidates need to reach Band 8, but seeing one is useful because it shows how little separates it from a good Band 7.

Click any highlighted word to see the correction. The commentary at the foot of the page explains what holds the answer at this band overall.

The task

The Task 1 letter question

Note the three bullet points and who the letter is addressed to.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A family member is coming to stay with you. He/she will be arriving by train in the morning, but you won't be home until the evening. Write a letter to your relative. In your letter:

explain arrangements you have made for them to have keys and get into the house
tell your relative how to get from the train station to your house
say when you will be home and suggest what you could do together that evening

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear………………………

The answer

The letter as the candidate wrote it

Reproduced exactly as written, errors included.

0 of 8

Dear John,

I am very glad you are coming to visit me. Unfortunately, I will be busy until the evening on the day you arrive, but worry, I the keys to my house under the door so you can get in and make yourself at home until I get there.

Now, once you get the train go directly to the bus station and wait for the number 45 route bus that will take you to my house. It is a twenty minute bus trip that makes a nice tour through town. When the bus reaches the old church at Winchester Avenue get off and walk one block down to get to my house. The full adress is 357 Winchester Avenue.

I will around 7:00 p.m. which is a perfect time for us to have

Yours sincerely,

David

(158 words)

Examiner comments

Why this is a Band 8 General Training Task 1 answer

The overall verdict, criterion by criterion.

This is a well written letter that covers all sections of the question. There are a few issues with punctuation ('italian'), but overall the vocabulary and grammar are well controlled.

The ending of the letter ('yours sincerely') doesn't suit a letter to a family member, but apart from that the register is appropriate.

The other General Training Task 1 band samples

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