IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: Cookery Course Feedback Letter
The Task:
You recently did a short cookery course. The cookery school has asked for your feedback on this course.
Write a letter to the course director at the cookery school. In your letter:
- describe what you enjoyed about the course
- say how much cooking you’ve done since the course
- suggest another cookery course you’d like the school to offer
Write at least 150 words.
Task 1
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Band 9 Model Answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to provide the requested feedback regarding the ‘Fundamentals of Italian Cuisine’ weekend workshop that I attended at your culinary academy earlier this month.
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, particularly the highly practical, hands-on approach of the instructor. The intimately sized class ensured that everyone received personalized guidance, and learning the precise, traditional techniques for rolling fresh pasta dough from scratch was incredibly rewarding.
Since completing the course, my confidence in the kitchen has grown immensely. I have already utilized the provided recipe booklet several times, and just last weekend, I successfully hosted a dinner party for my colleagues where I prepared the signature mushroom ravioli we mastered in class. It was a massive success.
Given the exceptional quality of your instruction, I would like to suggest that the school consider offering a dedicated, short course on artisanal bread baking. Learning the intricacies of sourdough and traditional focaccia would be a fantastic follow-up for alumni who wish to further develop their baking skills.
Thank you for providing such a wonderful educational experience.
Yours faithfully,
Julian Vance
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Achievement: All three bullet points are covered comprehensively and logically. The tone is perfectly formal and polite, which is the correct register when writing to a school director (“Dear Sir or Madam”).
- Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs are seamlessly structured. The logical flow moves naturally from positive feedback, to practical application of the skills, and finally to a constructive suggestion for the future.
- Lexical Resource: Uses precise, advanced vocabulary appropriate for the culinary and educational context (culinary academy, highly practical, intimately sized class, signature mushroom ravioli, artisanal bread baking, intricacies).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Employs a superb mix of complex sentence structures flawlessly while maintaining accurate phrasing (“Given the exceptional quality of your instruction, I would like to suggest…”).
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 2: Money and Happiness
The Task:
Some people say the main way to be happy in life is to have a lot of money.
How might having a lot of money make people happy?
What other things in life can make people happy?
Write at least 250 words.
Task 2
Band 9 Model Essay
In contemporary society, it is frequently argued that accumulating substantial wealth is the primary prerequisite for a happy life. While financial abundance undeniably contributes to happiness by providing security and the freedom of choice, I firmly believe that non-material factors, such as meaningful relationships and personal fulfillment, are equally essential for genuine, long-term well-being.
There is no denying that possessing a significant amount of money can profoundly enhance a person’s quality of life. The most crucial way wealth fosters happiness is by eliminating the chronic stress associated with fulfilling basic survival needs, such as housing, nutrition, and healthcare. When individuals are financially secure, they are freed from the daily, debilitating anxieties of living paycheck to paycheck. Furthermore, disposable income grants people the freedom to pursue enriching experiences. Wealthy individuals can easily afford to travel the globe, invest in expensive hobbies, or access premium educational resources, all of which inject pleasure, excitement, and novelty into their daily routines.
However, money alone is insufficient to guarantee lasting happiness, and several other psychological and social elements are vitally important. Foremost among these are deep, authentic interpersonal relationships. Human beings are inherently social creatures, and the emotional support provided by a loving family, a loyal partner, or a close-knit circle of friends brings a profound sense of belonging that wealth simply cannot purchase. Additionally, achieving a sense of purpose through one’s career or active community service is a massive driver of life satisfaction. A billionaire who feels isolated and lacks a meaningful daily purpose will frequently experience severe depression, whereas an individual with an average income who is deeply passionate about their profession and feels valued by their community often reports exceptionally high levels of contentment.
In conclusion, while a large bank balance certainly facilitates happiness by providing physical comfort and alleviating financial anxiety, it is merely one piece of a complex puzzle. True, sustained happiness requires a holistic balance that relies heavily on nurturing strong human connections, maintaining good physical health, and finding a meaningful purpose in everyday life.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Response: The essay perfectly addresses both questions. It clearly explains the mechanics of how money buys happiness (stress reduction, buying experiences) and thoroughly details the other crucial factors (relationships, purpose, community).
- Coherence & Cohesion: The essay utilizes a highly effective four-paragraph structure. Transition phrases guide the reader effortlessly through the complex arguments (While financial abundance undeniably contributes, Furthermore, Foremost among these, Additionally, In conclusion).
- Lexical Resource: Showcases an exceptional, sophisticated vocabulary suited for a philosophical and sociological discursive essay (accumulating substantial wealth, primary prerequisite, debilitating anxieties, disposable income, authentic interpersonal relationships, holistic balance).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Uses a wide variety of complex grammatical structures perfectly, creating a highly persuasive, authoritative, and academic tone.
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