Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-28

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

New neighbours have recently moved into the house/flat next door to where you live. You have examinations soon, but your neighbours play music late at night which is affecting your studies and sleep.

• explain what the problem is
• why it is causing you difficulties
• what action you would like them to take

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Neighbour,

I hope you are doing well. First of all, welcome to the neighbourhood. I am writing to let you know about a small problem that I have been experiencing over the past few days.

I have noticed that loud music is often played late at night, sometimes until after midnight. Normally, this would not be a major issue, but I have several important examinations coming up in the next two weeks.

The loud music makes it difficult for me to concentrate on my studies during the evening, and it also prevents me from getting enough sleep. As a result, I often feel tired the next day, which is affecting both my revision and my ability to prepare properly for my exams.

I would be very grateful if you could lower the volume or avoid playing loud music after **10:00 p.m.** until my examinations are over. I would really appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Thank you for your kindness, and I hope we can continue to be good neighbours.

Yours sincerely,

Satwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain the problem (loud music late at night), describe the impact on your studies and sleep, and provide a specific, reasonable request for action. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a neighbour, maintaining a polite and constructive stance throughout. 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 professional manner, making the communication effective and easy to follow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a polite closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, ensuring a smooth progression of ideas. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'As a result', and 'In addition' (implied through structure) to link your points effectively. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the problem, the impact, and the proposed solution. The flow of the letter is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout, contributing to a coherent and well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'experiencing over the past few days', 'major issue', and 'appreciate your understanding and cooperation' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated, it is precise and fits the context perfectly. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently appropriate for the task. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more varied or idiomatic expressions, but the current range is sufficient for clear and effective communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of sentence structures used correctly. You successfully employ complex sentences, such as 'Normally, this would not be a major issue, but I have several important examinations coming up in the next two weeks.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over verb tenses is consistent, particularly in describing the ongoing nature of the problem. The writing is error-free, which demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence and contributes to the overall clarity and professionalism of the letter.

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