Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-24

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You live in a small apartment building. You are frequently bothered by noise from your upstairs neighbour's apartment.

Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter
• describe the situation.
• explain why it is a problem for you.
• suggest a solution.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Neighbour,

I am writing to politely discuss the noise coming from your apartment. Recently, I have frequently been disturbed by loud footsteps, moving furniture, and music, especially during the evening and late at night.

This has become a problem for me because I have difficulty concentrating on my work and studying when there is constant noise. More importantly, the late-night noise sometimes prevents me from getting enough sleep, which affects my daily routine and makes me tired the next day.

I would really appreciate it if you could keep the noise to a minimum, particularly after 10 p.m. Perhaps you could also use rugs or carpets to reduce the sound of footsteps and avoid moving heavy furniture late at night.

I hope you understand my situation. I am sure we can find a solution that works well for both of us. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

A Concerned Neighbour

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the situation regarding the noise, explain the negative impact on your work and sleep, and provide practical, polite solutions. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a neighbour, maintaining a respectful yet firm stance throughout. All parts of the task are well-developed, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs detail the problem and suggest solutions, and the conclusion provides a polite closing. Cohesive devices such as 'More importantly,' 'particularly,' and 'Perhaps' are used effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'frequently been disturbed,' 'keep the noise to a minimum,' and 'cooperation' are used accurately. The language is natural and fits the formal tone of the letter well. While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient to convey your message clearly and effectively without any errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The letter exhibits a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences such as 'This has become a problem for me because I have difficulty concentrating...' and 'I would really appreciate it if you could...'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent, contributing to a professional and clear communication style.

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.