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User-written IELTS example

Writing General Training Task 1 Band 8.0 Example

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

208 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 8.0

Dear James, I hope this letter finds you well. The New Year celebration is a very old tradition in my culture. People appreciate the nature rebirth with the arrival of spring and wish for a life filled of happiness ahead. The ceremony, which originated 3000 years ago, lasts for 13 days and on the last day, families traditionally spend time outdoors, often sharing a picnic in a park. New Year is one of the most important occasions here because it brings relatives together and gives everyone a chance to welcome a fresh beginning. In the weeks beforehand, people clean their homes and prepare a Haft-Seen table, arranging symbolic items associated with health, prosperity and renewal. When the new year begins, relatives visit one another, share meals and exchange good wishes; younger family members often receive small gifts. On the thirteenth day, known as Sizdah Bedar, people enjoy the spring weather outside, and parks become lively with families and friends. My favourite part is the sense of closeness and optimism the celebrations create. The traditions connect people with their families and with nature, making the holiday enjoyable as well as meaningful. I hope these details help with your project. Let me know if you need anything else.

Best wishes,

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Correct the two preserved collocations: use “nature’s rebirth” and “filled with happiness.”
2
Avoid repeating the outdoor celebration by combining the picnic detail and the explanation of Sizdah Bedar in one passage.
3
Make the link between spring renewal and the festival’s importance explicit in one sentence.

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