Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have just read an article in a national newspaper which claims that town centres in your country all look very similar to each other. You don't fully agree with this opinion.

Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. In your letter

• say which points in the article you agree with
• explain ways in which your town centre is different from most other town centres
• offer to give a guided tour of your town to the writer of the article

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 9.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing in response to the recent article in your newspaper claiming that all town centres across our country have become virtually identical. While I understand the author's viewpoint regarding certain modern trends, I do not entirely agree that all urban spaces have lost their unique identity.

On the one hand, I agree with the writer's observation that multinational corporate chains, fast-food franchises, and uniform bank facades have taken over many high streets. It is true that this commercial globalization gives a familiar, corporate look to many shopping districts at first glance.

However, my hometown centre in Ibadan stands out as completely different from most other town centres. Unlike the flat, predictable layouts found elsewhere, our centre is built around historic rolling hills and features the iconic Bower’s Tower, which gives the area a unique architectural character. Furthermore, instead of just enclosed modern malls, our town centre seamlessly integrates vibrant, open-air heritage markets like the historic Dugbe market, preserving an authentic cultural atmosphere and local energy that cannot be replicated by modern franchises.

To prove that unique town centres still thrive, I would be delighted to offer the writer of the article a personal guided tour of Ibadan. I can showcase our historic landmarks, introduce them to local artisans, and demonstrate firsthand how our community preserves its distinct heritage.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Mayowa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You clearly state which points you agree with regarding commercial globalization, provide specific and well-developed examples of how your town (Ibadan) differs through its geography and markets, and include a polite offer for a guided tour. The tone is appropriate for a letter to an editor, and your position is consistent throughout. The ideas are well-supported with relevant details, such as the mention of Bower’s Tower and the Dugbe market, which makes the argument persuasive and engaging. You have successfully met all requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the agreement with the article to the counter-argument and finally the offer of a tour. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand,' 'However,' and 'Furthermore,' which help guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the acknowledgement of the problem and the defense of your town is seamless.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'commercial globalization,' 'uniform bank facades,' 'seamlessly integrates,' and 'distinct heritage' are used with precision and natural control. The language is well-suited to the formal context of a letter to a newspaper editor. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary choices significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. The use of specific terminology related to urban planning and cultural identity is particularly impressive.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Unlike the flat, predictable layouts found elsewhere, our centre is built around historic rolling hills...' and 'I can showcase our historic landmarks, introduce them to local artisans, and demonstrate firsthand how our community preserves its distinct heritage.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over sentence structure is excellent, contributing to a fluent and professional reading experience.

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