Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Mr. Patel,

The purpose of my email is to formally request a reconsideration of the recent rent increase, as I was not given proper notice before this change was introduced. I fully understand that housing costs are rising; however, such a sudden increase has placed me in a difficult financial situation.

Given that I am a full-time student and currently work only part-time with limited hours, arranging additional money on short notice is extremely challenging. Most of my monthly budget is already spent on groceries, transportation, tuition-related costs, and other necessary expenses. As a result, this unexpected rent increase has affected me both financially and emotionally.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could consider a fair and practical solution. For instance, I would be willing to accept a gradual rent increase over the next few months instead of paying the full amount immediately. Alternatively, I am open to moving into a smaller room or sharing the accommodation with another tenant if that helps reduce the cost.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further and find a reasonable solution for both of us.

Sincerely,

Avi Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The purpose of the letter is clearly established in the opening sentence, which formally requests a reconsideration of the rent increase due to a lack of proper notice. The tone is consistently polite, appropriate, and formal throughout. The writer effectively highlights their financial situation as a full-time student working part-time, covering essential expenses like tuition and transport. Furthermore, the writer proposes practical and realistic solutions, such as a gradual rent increase or moving into a smaller room. The register is well-suited to a landlord or property manager, and the ideas are fully developed and well-supported, earning a solid band score for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is exceptionally well-organised with a clear logical progression from the initial statement of the problem to the explanation of circumstances, and finally to the proposed solutions. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively, with each paragraph serving a distinct function. Cohesive devices are managed skilfully and naturally, using transitional phrases such as 'Given that', 'Most of my monthly budget', and 'Alternatively' to link ideas smoothly without being overly intrusive. Referencing throughout the text is clear, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the sequence of arguments and suggestions.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited for a formal correspondence. Less common lexical items and collocations are used effectively, such as 'formally request', 'reconsideration', 'limited financial situation', and 'practical solution'. Word choices are precise, and there are no noticeable inaccuracies or spelling mistakes. The language flows naturally and expresses the writer's situation with both clarity and appropriate emotional restraint, matching the descriptor requirements for a high band in lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring well-controlled conditional and subordinate clauses such as 'Given that I am a full-time student and currently work only part-time with limited hours...' and 'It would be greatly appreciated if you could consider a fair and practical solution.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and complex forms are integrated naturally without causing any impediment to communication. The grammatical control is robust and consistent.

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