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

9 correction notes

Dear Anant,

I trust this letter finds you in high spirits. The news of your interest in applying for the Astrophysics 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 was a truly enriching experience for me. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that delves 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 where 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 to cutting-edge discoveries in Astrophysics.

As you embark on the application process, I encourage you to approach it with diligence and authenticity. Craft a compelling personal statement that showcases your passion for Astrophysics and highlights your academic achievements and research interests. If you require any assistance or guidance during the application process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

,

Manav Yadav

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The letter's strongest aspect is its fluent, wide-ranging language, which conveys ideas with precision and natural control. The main limitation is that the application advice remains somewhat generic, so the final bullet point is less concretely developed than the other two.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

TA Task Achievement

7.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points with relevant subject areas, facilities and personal-statement advice. However, the application procedure could be more practical, and the frequently formal language is less natural for advice to a friend.

CC Coherence and Cohesion

7.5

Ideas progress logically across well-structured paragraphs with a clear opening, body, and closing, supported by smooth and appropriate cohesive devices throughout.

LR Lexical Resource

8.0

Vocabulary is varied and generally accurate, including subject-specific terms such as cosmology and astrophysical instrumentation. Several abstract, promotional phrases make the language more formal than necessary for a letter to a friend.

GRA Grammatical Range and Accuracy

8.0

A wide range of complex sentence structures is used accurately and flexibly, with consistent punctuation and virtually error-free production across the response.

More responses with feedback

View all 5 responses (7.0–8.0)