Letter to a language school
This is a model answer written to show what a Band 8 response looks like against the marking criteria. It is a worked example, not a graded submission. To see your own band, paste your writing into the free checker.
The prompt
You are planning to study English abroad and need more information before choosing a school. Write a letter to a language school. In your letter:
- explain your current level and what course you are looking for
- ask about course dates and fees
- request information about accommodation options
Band 8 model answer (165 words)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to enquire about your intensive English courses, with a view to studying at your school in Brighton this autumn.
I am an upper-intermediate speaker, roughly B2 level, preparing for postgraduate study in the UK next year. What I need is a full-time academic English course of eight to twelve weeks, ideally one that includes structured exam preparation, as I intend to sit IELTS in December.
Could you tell me which of your courses would best match this profile, when the next intake begins, and what the full fees would be? I would also be grateful to know whether any discount applies for booking the entire twelve weeks in advance.
Finally, I would appreciate details of your accommodation options. I would prefer a homestay with a host family, since daily conversation matters as much to me as classroom hours, but I would welcome information about student residences as well.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Lucia Fernandez
Why this reaches Band 8
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Task Achievement
Every bullet is not just covered but shaped to a purpose: the level comes with a goal ("preparing for postgraduate study"), the course request is exact (length, intensity, exam focus), and the accommodation preference is justified ("daily conversation matters as much to me as classroom hours"). The school could reply usefully to every line.
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Coherence and Cohesion
Organisation is seamless and nearly invisible: profile, then courses and money, then accommodation, with "Finally" the only visible signpost because the paragraphs already connect through meaning.
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Lexical Resource
Precise, flexible wording throughout, such as "with a view to studying", "structured exam preparation", "best match this profile" and "the next intake", all natural rather than performed.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Sophisticated structures produced without strain: stacked indirect questions ("which... when... and what..."), a cleft sentence ("What I need is..."), and error-free control, which is the Band 8 profile.
The one fix to reach Band 8
A strong Band 7 enquiry asks correct, polite questions in a list. What separates this Band 8 is that every request carries its reason, so the questions organise themselves: the level explains the course, the course explains the dates, the learning goal explains the homestay. Precision of purpose, not fancier vocabulary, is the difference.
Now check your own answer.
Paste your own attempt at this prompt and Examinerly names the single criterion keeping you below your target band, and shows the sentence-level fix. We never inflate your band.
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