Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-27
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A family member is coming to stay with you. He/she will be arriving by train in the morning, but you won’t be home until the evening.
explain arrangements you have made for them to have keys and get into the house
tell your relative how to get from the train station to your house
say when you will be home and suggest what you could do together that evening
Student answer (Band 8.0)
Dear Raj,
How have you been? I was extremely delighted when I got your message mentioning that you are coming this weekend, on Sunday morning. I can’t wait to see you again after a long time.
Unfortunately, I won’t be available at home, as I’ve a crucial work at a construction site, and for that reason, I’ll be working this weekend. But I’ll arrange a key for you to get access to my house and take a rest until I return home in the evening.
To be honest, it’ll be easy for you since you are going to get off at the Kipling station, given that going to my home from the Kipling station is the easiest way through TTC bus, as you’ll need to take only Bus # 927, which will drop you exactly in front of my home at Martin-Grove station.
The contractor’s schedule for work is till 3:00 PM on Sunday, so I hope that before 7:00 PM I can be at home, even if they extend the work time. After reaching home, we can go to have an amazing dinner at the Laapinoz café, a renowned place for Indian food, especially South Indian cuisine.
I hope your journey goes well and you reach my home safely. Let me know if you need more guidance to reach home. You can contact me anytime during your journey. Stay safe. See you soon.
Your Brother,
Milan
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained the key arrangements, provided specific directions using the bus number and station names, and proposed a concrete plan for the evening. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a family member, maintaining a friendly and helpful persona throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, ensuring the reader has all the necessary information to navigate their arrival and your subsequent meeting. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the visit. You use appropriate paragraphing to separate the greeting, the logistical details, and the closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Unfortunately', 'To be honest', and 'After reaching home' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the sentences is clear. The use of referencing is consistent, making the letter easy to follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a semi-formal or informal letter. Phrases like 'crucial work', 'get access to', and 'renowned place' show an ability to use language precisely. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there are minor areas for improvement in collocation, such as 'arrange a key' (better: 'leave a key') or 'available at home' (better: 'at home'). However, these minor slips do not impede communication, and your overall lexical control is sufficient to convey your message clearly and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with 'as', 'since', and 'even if'. The grammar is generally accurate, and your control over punctuation is good. There are a few minor errors, such as 'I’ve a crucial work' (should be 'I have some crucial work' or 'I have a crucial job'), but these are infrequent and do not cause any confusion. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate a solid grasp of tense usage, particularly when discussing future arrangements.
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