Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about the noise coming from my neighbour’s flat. I rent Apartment 22 through your agency, and my neighbour also rents through you.

The problem began two weeks ago. Since then, my neighbour has been playing video games at a very high volume late at night. I feel uncomfortable approaching them because they have been rude in the past.

The noise is particularly difficult for my family because I have two children. One has a hearing problem, while the other is very active and already has difficulty falling asleep. The loud sounds disturb both children and make it harder for me to settle them at bedtime. My child with hearing difficulties finds the noise unbearable and complains of headaches. I am worried that I may need to take him to hospital during the night.

I would appreciate it if you could contact my neighbour and ask them to keep the volume down at night or use headphones. Please let me know what action you intend to take.

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Dilshad Shaik

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated the purpose of the letter, described the nature of the noise problem, explained the impact on your family, and provided a clear request for action. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal complaint to an agency. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the explanation regarding your children, which adds necessary context to the severity of the situation. The letter follows a logical structure and meets all the requirements of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the introduction of the issue to the specific impact and finally the requested resolution. Cohesive devices such as 'Since then', 'particularly', and 'because' are used effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing (e.g., 'the noise', 'them') is clear throughout the text, ensuring the reader can easily follow your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. Phrases like 'uncomfortable approaching them', 'unbearable', and 'intend to take' are used accurately and naturally. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it remains relatively standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations related to noise complaints, such as 'persistent disturbance' or 'mitigate the issue'. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your meaning with precision and without any noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'I am worried that I may need to take him to hospital during the night.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses—such as the present perfect continuous for the ongoing noise—is excellent. The writing is clear, professional, and grammatically sound.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.