Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-12
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 8.5)
Dear Elena,
I hope you are doing well. I’m writing to let you know about the plans for your visit on Saturday morning.
Because I won’t be home until the evening, I asked my neighbour, Mrs. Lopez, to give you the house keys. She will meet you at the train station when you arrive and hand them to you. She already knows your name and your arrival time, so everything is arranged.
To get to my house from the station, walk out through the main exit and turn left. Keep going straight for about five minutes until you see a small park on your right. My house is the white one across from the park, with a red door. It’s easy to find.
I should be home around 6 p.m. Once I get back, we can have dinner together. If you feel tired, we can stay in and relax, but if you want to go out, we can take a walk by the lake or visit the new café near my place.
Please let me know if you need anything before you come.
Warm regards,
Vincent Elipe
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 9.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 9.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0
The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained the key arrangements involving your neighbour, provided specific and easy-to-follow directions from the train station, and suggested appropriate evening activities. The tone is consistently appropriate for a letter to a family member, maintaining a friendly and helpful register throughout. All parts of the task are well-developed, and the information is presented in a logical, helpful manner that directly answers the reader's potential needs. No information is missing, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening paragraph.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0
The letter is well-structured with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the visit, which makes the information easy to digest. You use effective cohesive devices such as 'Because', 'To get to', and 'Once I get back' to guide the reader through the sequence of events. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the arrival logistics to the directions and finally to the evening plans. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow between sentences is natural and unobtrusive, meeting the criteria for a high band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is natural and appropriate for the context of a personal letter. Phrases like 'everything is arranged', 'keep going straight', and 'stay in and relax' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is mostly standard. To reach the highest bands, you could incorporate slightly more varied or precise descriptive language, such as 'conveniently located' or 'unwind after your journey'. However, the current range is more than sufficient for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
Your grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of sentence structures used effectively. You successfully mix simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If you feel tired, we can stay in...'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over verb tenses is consistent, particularly when discussing future arrangements. The writing is error-free, which reflects a high level of grammatical competence. The clarity of your instructions and the natural flow of the sentences contribute to a very strong performance in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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