Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-19

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 give feedback about the moving service I used on September 15th for my new apartment.

Overall, the move went very well. The team arrived right on time and worked very fast. They handled most of my furniture with great care, which made moving day much less stressful for me.

I would especially like to praise one of your workers named John. He was very friendly and helpful. He took extra care when moving my big dining table through a small doorway so that he would not scratch the walls or damage the table.

However, I was not happy with one thing. Some boxes with fragile glassware were placed at the bottom of a heavy pile in the van. Luckily, nothing broke, but the boxes were crushed. Please make sure to put fragile items on top next time.

Thank you for the good service.

Yours faithfully,

Manjinder Dhaliwal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all bullet points outlined in the task instructions. The writer successfully explains what went well on moving day, specifically noting that the team arrived on time and handled furniture with care. Furthermore, an employee named John is appropriately praised for his friendly demeanor and extra care with a large dining table. Finally, the letter clearly mentions an aspect of the service that caused dissatisfaction, specifically how fragile glassware boxes were placed under heavier items in the van. The tone is entirely appropriate for a formal complaint or feedback letter, and the purpose is clear from the beginning. All requirements of General Training Task 1 are met effectively, justifying a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter exhibits clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the purpose of the letter to positive feedback, specific praise, constructive criticism, and a polite closing. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'I would especially like to', and 'However' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately and supports the clarity of the message. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall arrangement creates a cohesive and professional piece of correspondence that is very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully communicating precise ideas such as 'fragile glassware', 'great care', and 'stressful'. While the vocabulary is generally straightforward and functional rather than exceptionally sophisticated, it is deployed with good accuracy. Phrases like 'handled most of my furniture with great care' demonstrate a natural grasp of collocation. There are no notable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The use of terms like 'crushed' and 'possessions' (implied) fits the context well, supporting a solid performance in lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The student demonstrates control over grammar and punctuation, with frequent error-free sentences. Examples such as 'He took extra care when moving my big dining table through a small doorway so that he would not scratch the walls' showcase the successful handling of subordinate clauses. Minor errors are virtually absent, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout the letter. The majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy appropriate for a well-constructed letter.

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