IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: University Course Advice
The Task:
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
Write at least 150 words.
Task 1
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Band 9 Model Answer
Dear Sam,
I was absolutely thrilled to hear that you are considering applying for the Digital Marketing and Media degree! It is a fantastic subject, and I am more than happy to share my experience with you.
The course itself is incredibly comprehensive. During the three years, we covered everything from the fundamentals of consumer psychology to advanced data analytics and search engine optimization. The final year is particularly hands-on, as you are required to complete a massive capstone project where you build and market a real website from scratch.
I highly recommend this university, not just for the curriculum, but for the incredible faculty. The professors are all industry veterans with real-world corporate experience, meaning their lectures are highly practical rather than purely theoretical. Furthermore, the campus has state-of-the-art computer labs and a dedicated career center that frequently hosts networking events with top tech companies.
When you apply, make sure you use the centralized university admissions portal. My biggest piece of advice is to spend a lot of time crafting your personal statement. They receive thousands of applications, so you really need to highlight your passion for digital trends and any previous creative projects you have worked on to stand out.
Let me know if you want me to proofread your application essay before you submit it!
Warm wishes,
Alex
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Achievement: All three bullet points are covered comprehensively and logically. The tone is perfectly informal, enthusiastic, and encouraging, which is required for an email to a friend.
- Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs are seamlessly structured. The logical flow moves naturally from course details to the benefits of the university, and finally to actionable application advice.
- Lexical Resource: Uses natural, highly appropriate vocabulary for the context of higher education and marketing (comprehensive, consumer psychology, capstone project, industry veterans, centralized university admissions portal).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Employs a superb mix of complex sentence structures flawlessly while maintaining a conversational flow (“The professors are all industry veterans… meaning their lectures are highly practical…”).
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 2: The Future of Domestic Tourism
The Task:
In the future, more people will choose to go on holiday in their own country and not travel abroad on holiday.
Do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
Task 2
Band 9 Model Essay
Over the past few decades, international travel has become increasingly accessible; however, there is a growing consensus that the future of tourism lies closer to home. I strongly agree that domestic holidays, often referred to as “staycations,” will eventually surpass international travel in popularity. This shift will primarily be driven by rising ecological awareness and the escalating economic costs associated with going abroad.
The most significant factor that will drive tourists to remain in their own countries is the growing global concern regarding climate change. As environmental awareness increases, more individuals are actively seeking ways to reduce their personal carbon footprints. The aviation industry is a massive contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the concept of “flight shaming” is already gaining immense traction in various parts of the world. Consequently, eco-conscious travelers are increasingly opting to explore local national parks, coastal towns, and historical sites via train or electric vehicle, actively avoiding the severe environmental damage caused by long-haul flights.
Furthermore, economic realities will heavily influence future travel habits. The compounding effects of global inflation, fluctuating currency exchange rates, and rising aviation fuel costs are making international vacations prohibitively expensive for the average family. Concurrently, many governments have recognized the economic potential of domestic tourism and are investing heavily in local infrastructure, creating luxury domestic resorts and highly curated regional experiences. As local options become more sophisticated and international options become financially unviable, consumers will naturally default to holidaying within their national borders to ensure they receive the best value for their money.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that the era of casual international globe-trotting will soon experience a sharp decline. Driven by a necessary commitment to environmental sustainability and the harsh realities of global economics, the vast majority of future travelers will undoubtedly choose to spend their holidays exploring the beauty of their own countries.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Response: The essay perfectly addresses the instructions. It states a clear, strong agreement with the premise and thoroughly justifies this stance with two powerful, well-explained arguments (environmental concerns and economic pressures).
- Coherence & Cohesion: The essay utilizes a highly effective four-paragraph structure. Transition phrases guide the reader effortlessly through the complex arguments (The most significant factor, Consequently, Furthermore, Concurrently, In conclusion).
- Lexical Resource: Showcases an exceptional, sophisticated vocabulary suited for a socioeconomic and environmental discursive essay (ecological awareness, carbon footprints, flight shaming, prohibitively expensive, financially unviable, globe-trotting).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Uses a wide variety of complex grammatical structures perfectly, creating a highly persuasive, authoritative, and academic tone.
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