Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You live in a small apartment building with a parking lot in back, and you often cannot find an empty parking space when you get home from work.

Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter
• describe the situation.
• explain why it bothers you.
• suggest something the landlord could do to solve the problem.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ____

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to bring to your attention an ongoing problem with the parking facilities in our apartment building. Despite having a designated parking lot at the back of the building, I frequently find that there are no available spaces when I return home from work in the evening.

This situation is becoming increasingly frustrating because I often have to park several streets away and walk back to the building, sometimes in poor weather. It is particularly inconvenient after a long day at work and also makes it difficult to carry groceries or other heavy items into the apartment.

I would appreciate it if you could consider introducing designated parking spaces for residents, perhaps by assigning each apartment a specific space. Alternatively, parking permits or numbered spaces could be provided to prevent visitors from occupying residents' parking spaces.

I hope you will consider one of these solutions, as it would make a significant difference to residents.

Yours faithfully,

Mariam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

Mariam covers all bullet points of the prompt thoroughly and appropriately. She successfully describes the parking situation ('no available spaces when I return home from work'), explains why it bothers her ('have to park several streets away... difficult to carry groceries'), and suggests practical solutions ('introducing designated parking spaces... parking permits or numbered spaces'). The tone is appropriately formal for a letter to a landlord, and the purpose is clear from the beginning. All parts of the task are well-developed and supported with relevant details. This fully satisfies the requirements for a Band 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The letter has a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction outlines the issue, the second details the personal impact, the third proposes solutions, and the final paragraph concludes the letter politely. Cohesive devices such as 'Despite having', 'This situation', and 'Alternatively' are used naturally and effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, and referencing is clear and consistent. The management of cohesion across the entire response easily meets the standard for a Band 8.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

Mariam demonstrates a good range of vocabulary suited to a formal complaint letter. Expressions like 'bring to your attention', 'ongoing problem', 'increasingly frustrating', and 'occupying residents' parking spaces' show flexibility and precision. Word choice and collocations are used accurately throughout the text. Although there are no exceptionally rare or sophisticated idioms, the vocabulary is natural, fluent, and entirely appropriate for the context. This level of lexical control corresponds to a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response features a wide range of sentence structures, mixing complex and compound forms effectively, such as 'Despite having a designated parking lot at the back of the building, I frequently find that...' and 'I would appreciate it if you could consider introducing...'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with excellent control of punctuation and tense consistency. Grammar and mechanics are handled with a high degree of accuracy, showing only very occasional slips, which places this performance firmly in the Band 8.0 category.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.