Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-09

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern about the possible closure of our local sports and leisure centre. I believe that this centre is very important to many people in our community and should remain open.

My family and I use the centre regularly. I usually go there three times a week to play badminton and use the gym. My younger brother attends swimming classes there, while my parents sometimes join fitness classes. Some of my friends also use the centre to play basketball and football. Therefore, it has become an important part of our weekly routine.

The sports and leisure centre is especially important because it provides local people with an affordable place to exercise and spend their free time. It is also a good place for people of different ages to meet and make friends. In addition, the centre encourages children and young people to take part in sports instead of spending too much time at home or on their phones.

If the centre closes, many local people may have fewer opportunities to exercise. Some families may not be able to afford private gyms or travel to another sports centre. Children could also lose access to swimming lessons and other activities. As a result, the closure could have a negative effect on people's physical health and social lives.

I strongly hope that the council will reconsider the decision and find a way to keep the centre open. It would be a great loss to our local community if this valuable facility disappeared.

Yours faithfully,

Zalak

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained how your family uses the centre, why it is important for the community, and the potential negative consequences of its closure. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council, and your position is consistent throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as specific sports played and the social benefits for different age groups. You have successfully met all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a concluding statement. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Therefore', 'In addition', and 'As a result', which help to link your arguments together. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of writing to a council. Phrases like 'express my concern', 'valuable facility', and 'reconsider the decision' are well-chosen and natural. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. However, your word choice is precise and there are no errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is very strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used a variety of verb tenses correctly, such as the present simple for habits and the conditional 'If' structure to discuss potential consequences. Punctuation is used accurately throughout the letter. The sentences are error-free for the most part, and the few minor slips do not detract from the overall quality of the writing. Your control over complex structures is consistent and demonstrates a high level of proficiency.

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

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