Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You let a friend stay at your apartment while you were away on a trip. When you returned home, you discovered that a valuable possession was broken.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• describe the broken possession.
• explain why it is important to you.
• explain what you would like your friend to do.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Alex,

I hope you are doing well. I wanted to talk to you about something I noticed when I returned from my trip. Unfortunately, the antique table lamp in my living room was broken. The glass shade was cracked into several pieces, and the wooden base was also damaged.

This lamp means a great deal to me because it was a gift from my grandmother on my eighteenth birthday. It is one of the few things I have to remember her by, so it has great sentimental value. Even though it is not extremely expensive, it is irreplaceable in my eyes.

I understand that accidents can happen, and I am not writing to blame you. However, I would have appreciated it if you had told me about the damage instead of leaving it for me to discover. I would like you to help cover the cost of repairing the lamp if possible. If it cannot be repaired, I hope you will help me find a suitable replacement or another way to make up for the loss.

I hope we can resolve this matter amicably. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Arsh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly described the antique lamp, explained its sentimental importance as a gift from your grandmother, and provided a reasonable request for compensation or repair. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend—polite yet firm regarding the issue. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have successfully covered all requirements of the task in a natural and logical manner.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Unfortunately,' 'Even though,' and 'However,' to link your ideas and manage the flow of the letter. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between describing the damage and explaining the sentimental value is smooth. The overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'sentimental value,' 'irreplaceable,' and 'resolve this matter amicably' show a strong command of language. The word choices are precise and natural, contributing to the overall clarity of the message. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey your thoughts with precision and ease.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences like 'I would have appreciated it if you had told me about the damage instead of leaving it for me to discover.' The punctuation is correct, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is excellent, ensuring that the tone remains polite while clearly stating your expectations. The writing is error-free and flows very well.

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

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