Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Write a letter to the local council. In your letter

• give details of how you and your friends or family use the centre
• explain why the sports and leisure centre is important for the local community
• describe the possible effects on local people if the centre closes

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed closure of our local sports and leisure centre. I strongly believe that this facility plays a vital role in our community and should remain open.

My family and I use the centre several times a week. I regularly attend the gym and swimming pool, while my younger brother takes swimming lessons every weekend. My friends and I also play badminton and basketball there after work. The centre provides excellent facilities for people of all ages and encourages us to stay active and healthy.

The sports and leisure centre is extremely important for the local community because it promotes physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction. It offers affordable activities for children, adults, and senior citizens, allowing people from different backgrounds to meet and build friendships. In addition, many local sports clubs and fitness classes depend on the centre for their training sessions and events.

If the centre closes, it will have several negative consequences. Many residents, especially children and elderly people, will lose easy access to recreational facilities. This could lead to a less active lifestyle and increased health problems. Furthermore, local sports teams may struggle to find suitable venues, and people on low incomes may not be able to afford private gyms or clubs. As a result, the sense of community in our area could also be weakened.

I sincerely hope that the council will reconsider its decision and keep the sports and leisure centre open for the benefit of all local residents.

Yours faithfully,

Satwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly explain how your family uses the centre, provide a strong justification for its importance to the community, and detail the negative consequences of its closure. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a local council, and your position is clear and consistent throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of swimming lessons and the impact on senior citizens. You have successfully met all the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing each prompt requirement, and a polite conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result' effectively to link your ideas. The progression of information is smooth and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, which enhances the overall readability of the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of a formal letter. Phrases like 'proposed closure', 'vital role', 'physical fitness', and 'negative consequences' are used accurately. You avoid repetition and show an ability to use topic-specific language effectively. While the vocabulary is natural and precise, it stays within a standard range; incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate this further, but the current level is more than sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences such as 'If the centre closes, it will have several negative consequences' and 'I strongly believe that this facility plays a vital role'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you maintain a consistent, formal tone with excellent control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement.

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