Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-12

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.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly state your partial agreement with the article, provide a specific and well-developed example of your hometown (Ibadan) to contrast with the article's claims, and extend a polite invitation for a guided tour. The tone is appropriate for a letter to an editor, maintaining a formal yet engaging style throughout. The position is consistent and well-supported with relevant details, such as the mention of Bower’s Tower and the Dugbe market, which effectively illustrates your argument. 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 initial agreement to the counter-argument and finally the concluding offer. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'However', and 'Furthermore', which guide the reader through your argument without being mechanical. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The referencing is precise, and the flow between sentences is natural and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, using terms like 'commercial globalization', 'uniform bank facades', 'seamlessly integrates', and 'distinct heritage' with precision. The word choice is natural and appropriate for the context of a formal letter. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling, and the language used is both fluent and flexible. You successfully employ less common lexical items to convey your ideas clearly and effectively, showing a high level of control over your vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional sentences, relative clauses, and well-constructed compound-complex sentences. The grammar is highly accurate, with no errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability and structure. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate a strong command of tense and aspect. The control over sentence variety is excellent, contributing to a professional and polished tone throughout the letter.

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

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