Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-10

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 8.0)

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are settling in well in the neighborhood. I am writing to discuss a small issue that has been affecting me a lot lately.

Since you moved in, I have been hearing very loud music at night. I understand that everyone has their own way to relax after a busy day. Unfortunately, this is affecting my sleep, as I am finding it extremely difficult to get a good rest.

Additionally, I have an important exam coming up in two weeks and I need to study for that too, but loud music makes it difficult to concentrate on my studies. This is a crucial exam for me as I have applied for Canadian PR and need to score really well in order to improve my CRS score.

I would really appreciate it if you could just lower the volume after 10 p.m. or perhaps you can use headphones when listening to music.

I hope you will understand my situation and will be grateful for your cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

Muskan

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the problem (loud music at night), describe the impact on your sleep and exam preparation, and suggest a specific solution (lowering volume or using headphones). The tone is appropriate for a letter to a neighbour, maintaining a polite yet firm stance. The inclusion of the detail regarding your Canadian PR application adds a personal touch that helps justify why the situation is particularly stressful, effectively developing your ideas. All parts of the task are covered well, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organised 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 and a polite closing. You use cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Unfortunately', and 'Since you moved in' to link your sentences and ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly and naturally. Phrases like 'settling in well', 'crucial exam', and 'grateful for your cooperation' are used accurately and appropriately for the context. While the vocabulary is functional and fits the task well, it remains somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations, such as 'disrupting my concentration' instead of 'makes it difficult to concentrate'. However, there are no errors in word choice that impede communication, and the tone is consistently appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response shows good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'I understand that everyone has their own way to relax after a busy day' and 'I would really appreciate it if you could just lower the volume'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader. The sentence structures are varied and error-free for the most part, demonstrating a solid command of English grammar suitable for this task.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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