Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern about the possible closure of our local sports and leisure center. I strongly believe that this facility is very important for our community and should remain open.

My family and I visit the centre several times a week. I use the gym after work, while my younger brother attends swimming lessons every Saturday. My parents also enjoy the fitness classes, and we often play badminton together on weekends. It has become a place where we stay active and spend quality time as a family.

The sports and leisure centre is valuable because it provides affordable facilities for people of all ages. It encourages a healthy lifestyle, gives children a safe place to play sports, and allows older people to join exercise programmes and meet others. It also brings the local community together through different sports events and activities.

If the centre closes, many local residents will lose access to these facilities. Families may find it difficult to travel to another centre, and many people could become less active. This would have a negative effect on both physical health and community spirit.

I kindly request that the council reconsider its decision and keep the sports and leisure centre open.

Yours faithfully,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The student has successfully covered all parts of the letter writing task. The purpose of the letter is clearly stated in the opening paragraph, expressing concern over the potential closure of the local sports and leisure centre. The body paragraphs provide relevant personal examples and logical reasons why the facility is vital for the community, such as health benefits and social cohesion. Finally, the letter concludes with a clear request for the council to reconsider its decision. The tone is consistently polite, formal, and appropriate for addressing a council or management. The ideas are well-developed and fully extend the purpose of the letter, meeting the criteria for a high band. Overall, the task is handled with clarity, purpose, and strong relevance throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the statement of purpose in the introduction to personal usage, community benefits, potential negative consequences of closure, and finally a concluding request. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'while my younger brother', 'It also brings', and 'If the centre closes'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each new idea cleanly separated into its own paragraph. Referencing is clear and unambiguous. The overarching structure adheres strictly to formal letter-writing conventions, ensuring the reader can follow the writer's argument without any confusion. Cohesion is well managed across the entire piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task with adequate flexibility and precision. Words and phrases like 'express my concern', 'affordable facilities', 'healthy lifestyle', and 'community spirit' are used accurately. There is also an attempt to use less common items with good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'reconsider its decision' and 'negative effect'. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare, it is entirely natural and appropriate for a formal complaint or request letter. Word choice is precise, and there are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The lexical range fully supports the intended communicative purpose.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The student exhibits good control of grammar and punctuation with a healthy variety of complex structures. Sentences such as 'I use the gym after work, while my younger brother attends swimming lessons every Saturday' and 'If the centre closes, many local residents will lose access to these facilities' display a comfortable mix of coordinate and subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout, including appropriate comma placement in conditional and introductory phrases. The tone and register are appropriately maintained via accurate modal verbs and tense consistency. Any minor limitations in structural range do not detract from the overall high level of accuracy.

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.