Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-06

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 6.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my concern about the possible closure of our local sports and leisure centre.

My family and I, along with many of my friends, use the centre several times a week. My younger brother goes to swimming lessons there every Saturday morning, and my parents attend the fitness classes and use the gym after work to stay healthy. On weekends, my friends and I play badminton and basketball in the sports hall. For us, it is not just a building — it is where we exercise, relax, and spend time together.

The sports and leisure centre is very important for the local community. It gives people of all ages a safe and affordable place to be active. It helps children learn new skills, keeps older residents healthy and social, and provides programs for families who cannot afford a private gym. The centre also runs holiday activities for kids and community events, which bring people together and reduce isolation.

If the centre closes, I believe the effects on local people would be serious. Many families would lose their main place for exercise and recreation. Children would have fewer safe activities after school, and some may spend more time online instead. Older residents would lose an important place to meet others and stay fit. Local health could suffer, and we may see more health problems in the long run. It would also be a big loss for community spirit.

I understand that budgets are tight, but I strongly urge the council to consider other options before closing the centre. This facility makes a real difference to our daily lives and to the well-being of our neighbourhood.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I hope you will keep the sports and leisure centre open for us and for future generations.

Yours sincerely,

John

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You have clearly described how your family uses the centre, explained its importance to the community, and detailed the potential negative effects of its closure. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council, and your position is consistent throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with specific examples, such as the swimming lessons and the badminton games. The response is well-structured and covers all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each bullet point, and a polite closing. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the transition between ideas is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices such as 'along with', 'for us', 'in the long run', and 'I strongly urge' to link your thoughts effectively. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context of a formal letter. Phrases like 'express my concern', 'affordable place', 'reduce isolation', and 'well-being of our neighbourhood' demonstrate a solid command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the tone well, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your message with precision and clarity, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writing displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences such as 'If the centre closes, I believe the effects on local people would be serious.' Your control over grammar and punctuation is strong, with the majority of sentences being error-free. The use of modal verbs like 'would' and 'could' is handled correctly to express hypothetical situations. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the punctuation is used accurately to support the meaning of your sentences. The overall control is consistent and reliable.

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

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