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User-written IELTS example

Writing General Training Task 1 Band 9.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

201 words General TrainingTask 1Letter
Task 1 Letter

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain why the festival matters: describe its importance as both a celebration and a cultural tradition.
  • Show how people celebrate through concrete customs, such as preparing traditional food, sharing it with family and visiting relatives.
  • Add a personal detail about what you enjoy most, such as the atmosphere, time with family or a particular traditional dish.

Suggested structure

  1. Greet your friend and respond to their request.
  2. Introduce the country and state the importance of the festival.
  3. Describe preparations and key celebration customs in a logical order.
  4. Explain what you personally like and why.
  5. Close by offering further help with the project.
Useful vocabulary & examples
auspicious time
A time regarded as especially favourable for an event or action.

At an auspicious time, families light the hearth and prepare kiribath.

traditional dish
A food associated with the customs and culture of a place or community.

Kiribath is a traditional dish that many families prepare for New Year.

festive atmosphere
A cheerful mood associated with a celebration.

I enjoy the festive atmosphere when relatives and neighbours celebrate together.

bring people together
To encourage people to meet, share time or feel connected.

Traditional games bring people together during the New Year celebrations.

Task Prompt

your English-speaking friend has asked for your help with a college project he or she is doing about celebrating Nes Year in different countries. write a letter to your friend. in your letter write a letter to your friend.in your letter : 1 say how important new year is to people in your country . 2describe now new year is celebrated in your country . 3 explain what you like about New Year celebrations in your country.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 9.0

Dear Mylene, I hope this message finds you well. I am very happy to assist you with your project. In Cameroon, the New Year is celebrated on January 1st. This festive occasion is very important to my country because it brings families together. During this time, families visit one another, and some also visit the elderly and exchange warm wishes. Many people attend church services to give thanks and pray for the year ahead, while others celebrate at home with music, dancing and a special meal. As midnight approaches on New Year's Eve, friends and relatives often count down together, and in some places there are fireworks.

What I like most is the feeling of hope and togetherness. People put aside their everyday worries, reconnect with loved ones and welcome a fresh start. I especially enjoy sharing food and hearing everyone talk about their hopes for the coming year. The celebrations can be lively, but the time spent with family is what makes the occasion meaningful to me.

I hope these details are useful for your project. Let me know if you need any more information, and I would be glad to help. Good luck with it!

Best wishes, Your friend

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Make the importance statement more people-focused: explain why New Year matters to people in Cameroon, rather than saying it is important to the country itself.
2
Add one personal, specific example of a celebration detail you enjoy, such as a shared meal or conversation, to give the letter a more individual voice.
3
Keep the friendly tone consistent by choosing conversational phrases such as “glad to help” alongside the polite opening and closing.

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