Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-30

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 Neighbours,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to kindly ask for your cooperation regarding the loud music that has been played late at night since you moved into the apartment next door.

Although I understand that you may be celebrating your new home or enjoying time with your friends, the music often continues until after midnight. Unfortunately, this makes it very difficult for me to concentrate on my studies during the evening and prevents me from getting enough sleep.

I have my final examinations in two weeks, so I need a quiet environment to prepare properly. Because of the noise, I have been feeling tired during the day and find it difficult to stay focused while studying.

I would be very grateful if you could lower the volume of the music after 10:00 p.m. or use headphones if you wish to listen to music late at night. I would really appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope we can resolve this matter amicably.

Yours sincerely,

Mehak

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 propose a specific, reasonable solution (lowering volume after 10:00 p.m. or using headphones). The tone is consistently 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 met all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose: the introduction states the purpose, the body paragraphs detail the problem and its consequences, and the final paragraph offers a solution. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'Because of the noise', and 'if you wish', which help the text flow naturally. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the transition between the problem and the requested action is smooth and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'kindly ask for your cooperation', 'resolve this matter amicably', and 'prepare properly' are natural and precise. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your message clearly without any repetition or awkward phrasing. While the language is functional and accurate, it stays within a standard range; incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations could elevate the score further, but the current usage is highly effective for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the response. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although I understand that you may be celebrating...'). There are no noticeable errors in punctuation, verb tense, or subject-verb agreement. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. The writing is polished and demonstrates a strong command of English syntax, which makes the letter very easy to read and understand.

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