Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently used a company to help you move your furniture and possessions to your new apartment. The removal company has now asked for your feedback about the service they provided.

Write a letter to the removal company. In your letter

• explain what went well on the day you moved house

• praise an employee who was particularly helpful

• mention an aspect of the service that you were not happy with

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to provide feedback on the removal service I recently used when moving to my new apartment.

Overall, I was very pleased with the service on the day of the move. The removal team arrived on time and worked efficiently throughout the morning. They handled my furniture carefully, packed everything securely, and managed to move some particularly heavy items without causing any damage. As a result, the move was completed much faster than I had expected.

I would especially like to praise one of your employees, Daniel. He was extremely helpful and polite, and he took extra care with my fragile belongings. He also helped me arrange the furniture in my new apartment, which was greatly appreciated.

However, I was disappointed that the company arrived with fewer packing boxes than I had requested. This caused a short delay and meant that I had to provide some of my own boxes.

Despite this issue, I would recommend your service to others.

Yours faithfully,

Keith

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly explained the positive aspects of the move, such as the team's punctuality and efficiency. You also provided a specific example of an employee, Daniel, who was helpful, and clearly identified the negative aspect regarding the shortage of packing boxes. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter, and the purpose is clear throughout. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, meeting all the requirements of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a brief conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the feedback. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall,' 'As a result,' 'However,' and 'Despite this issue' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the structure is coherent throughout the entire response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context of a formal letter. Phrases such as 'handled my furniture carefully,' 'fragile belongings,' and 'greatly appreciated' are used accurately. The vocabulary is natural and precise, allowing for clear communication. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items could elevate the response further to a higher band level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as 'He also helped me arrange the furniture in my new apartment, which was greatly appreciated.' Punctuation is correct, and there are no noticeable errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a strong 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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