Sample response & feedback

Letter Advising a Friend About a University Course

Question

View question5 sample responses · Bands 7.0–8.0

A friend of yours is thinking about applying for the same course that you did at university. He/She has asked for your advice about studying this subject. 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 You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear …………………… ,

Annotated response

8 correction notes

Dear Ramya,

I hope this letter finds you well. It’s come to my attention that you’re contemplating applying for the Molecular Biology course at university, and I couldn’t be more excited for you. Having pursued this very course myself, I can attest to its richness and depth in exploring the complexities of cellular mechanisms and genetic engineering.

Choosing the university for your higher 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 yourself.

As for the application process, my advice would be to approach it with 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 reach out to me.

Best wishes,

Kaustav Vashist

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The letter is fluent and well organised, with a clear progression through the three requested points. It offers encouragement and useful application advice, although several expressions are quite formal for a friend. Course topics are named, but the practical study experience and university recommendation need more concrete personal detail to make the advice more persuasive.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

TA Task Achievement

7.0

The letter covers all three bullet points and names cellular mechanisms and genetic engineering as course content. However, it gives little detail about how the course is studied, and its broad university recommendation would benefit from a personal example.

CC Coherence and Cohesion

7.5

Ideas progress logically across clearly sequenced paragraphs that mirror the bullet points, with cohesive devices used naturally throughout.

LR Lexical Resource

7.0

Vocabulary is varied and controlled, though phrases such as 'It’s come to my attention' and 'I can attest to its richness and depth' sound more formal than necessary in a letter to a friend.

GRA Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.5

Participial openings, relative clauses and the inverted conditional 'Should you need any assistance' show grammatical range. These structures are controlled and communicate the advice clearly.

More responses with feedback

View all 5 responses (7.0–8.0)