Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-19
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 Shivani,
I received your letter last week, in which you mentioned that you will be attending the architecture seminar happening in Ottawa in the month of May,2026. I am very excited to see you and spend some time with you when you stay at my place. I noticed that your train will be arriving at 10 am tomorrow, while I have an important meeting with one of the clients at the office, which I have to attend, and it is unavoidable. However, I have given the house keys to the neighbour living next door, and you will need to collect them. Additionally, I have also prepared your favourite dish for lunch.
I would also like to mention how to get home. Due to the construction happening in the city, plenty of routes are closed temporarily, although booking a taxi directly from the train station to my house will be the easiest transportation option you will have at present.
Once I get home this evening, we will go for a walk in the park; it is the perfect time of spring, when you will witness the blooms. Moreover, I have made reservation for dinner at "Jurros" for Korean barbecue. At night, we will play video game and cards.
I am immensely excited for your stay, cant wait to see you soon.
With Love,
Shivam.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained the key arrangements, provided logical instructions for the journey from the station, and detailed your evening plans. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a family member, and the ideas are well-developed. The inclusion of specific details, such as the neighbour holding the keys and the restaurant reservation, makes the response feel authentic and complete. You have fully satisfied the requirements of the task.
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 prompt, which helps the reader follow your message easily. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Additionally', 'Once', and 'Moreover' to link your ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. The use of referencing is clear, and there is no confusion regarding the sequence of events.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of a personal letter. Phrases like 'unavoidable', 'witness the blooms', and 'immensely excited' show a good command of language. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more idiomatic expressions or slightly more sophisticated collocations could elevate the response further, but the current range is sufficient for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally good. There are a few minor slips, such as 'I have made reservation' (should be 'a reservation') and 'play video game' (should be 'video games'). Additionally, 'cant' is missing an apostrophe. However, these are minor, non-systematic errors that do not interfere with the clarity of your message. Your control over verb tenses is consistent and accurate.
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.