Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-04

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have a problem in your apartment that needs repairs.

Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter
• describe the problem.
• say what you think should be done about it.
• ask the building manager to visit your apartment to see the problem.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Building Manager,

I am writing to inform you about a serious problem in my apartment that requires your immediate attention. For the past two weeks, there has been a water leak from the ceiling in my living room. The leak has become worse after every rainfall, causing damp walls, an unpleasant smell, and damage to the paint and wooden floor. I am also concerned that it may affect the electrical wiring and create a safety hazard.

I believe the building maintenance team should inspect the roof and repair the source of the leak as soon as possible. In addition, any damage caused inside my apartment should be fixed once the leak has been repaired.

Could you please visit my apartment at your earliest convenience to see the problem for yourself? I am available after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays or anytime during the weekend. Please let me know a suitable time for your visit.

I look forward to your prompt response and hope this issue can be resolved soon.

Yours sincerely,

Tanveer Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly describe the water leak and its consequences, suggest a logical course of action (inspecting the roof and repairing the apartment), and include a polite request for a site visit. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a building manager. The purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant to the situation described. You have successfully met all requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the first introduces the problem, the second proposes solutions, and the third arranges the visit. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'For the past two weeks', and 'Could you please' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The structure is professional and easy to follow, with appropriate paragraphing that enhances the overall flow of the communication.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'requires your immediate attention', 'safety hazard', and 'at your earliest convenience' are well-chosen and natural in this context. The vocabulary is precise and conveys the urgency of the situation effectively. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sufficiently varied to maintain the reader's interest while remaining professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing exhibits a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences like 'The leak has become worse after every rainfall, causing damp walls...', which are handled correctly. Punctuation is used accurately throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses (present perfect for the duration of the leak, future for the requested visit) is excellent.

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

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