Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-13

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 proposed closure of our local sports and leisure centre. I would like to explain how my friends and I use the centre and why I believe it is extremely important for our community.

My friends and I regularly visit the centre three or four times a week. We usually use the gym, swimming pool and indoor sports facilities. I also attend fitness classes there, while some of my friends play basketball and badminton. The centre is affordable and conveniently located, so it is easy for local residents to use.

The sports and leisure centre plays an important role in keeping people active and healthy. It provides a safe place where children, young people and adults can exercise, meet others and participate in different activities. It also helps people build friendships and reduces social isolation, particularly among older residents.

If the centre closes, many local people may have fewer opportunities to exercise because private gyms and other facilities are often more expensive or too far away. Children and young people may also spend more time at home instead of participating in sports. In the long term, this could negatively affect the health and well-being of the community.

I therefore strongly request that the council reconsider the closure and explore alternative ways to keep the centre open. I hope you will take the concerns of local residents into consideration.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly outlined how you use the centre, explained its importance to the community, and described the negative consequences of its closure. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council, and the position is consistent throughout. Each bullet point is well-developed with specific examples, such as mentioning the gym, swimming pool, and badminton, as well as the social benefits for older residents. The ideas are extended logically, providing a comprehensive argument that meets all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding request. Each paragraph focuses on a single theme, which aids readability. Cohesive devices such as 'My friends and I', 'It also', 'If the centre closes', and 'I therefore' are used effectively to link ideas and sentences. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from personal usage to community impact and finally to the potential consequences of closure. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context of a formal letter. Phrases like 'proposed closure', 'conveniently located', 'social isolation', and 'reconsider the closure' are used accurately. The vocabulary is natural and precise, allowing for clear communication of your concerns. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. However, the current usage is precise and there are no errors in word choice that impede meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with conditional clauses ('If the centre closes, many local people may have fewer opportunities...') and relative clauses ('...a safe place where children, young people and adults can exercise...'). Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are virtually no grammatical errors. The writing is fluent, and the majority of sentences are error-free, which demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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

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