Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-21

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 disappointment regarding the proposed closure of the sports and leisure centre in our area. My friends, family members and I have been using the facilities at the centre for the last 15 years, and it has become a very important part of our daily lives. My friends and I play badminton there every weekend, while my grandparents use the gym because their doctor has advised them to exercise regularly due to their physical disabilities.

Many children from our area also visit the centre regularly to learn swimming, which is an essential life-saving skill. In addition, many elderly people participate in social groups that take place at the centre. These groups help them avoid social isolation and communicate with people of a similar age. Therefore, the centre provides important opportunities for people of different age groups to remain active and socially connected.

If the sports and leisure centre closes, many local residents will be negatively affected. Children would have no nearby place to learn swimming, as the next available centre is located far away and they cannot travel there independently. Parents also have busy schedules and may not have enough time to take their children to another centre. Additionally, many elderly people may be unable to travel long distances because of their age or physical disabilities. Therefore, I strongly urge you to reconsider the decision to close the centre.

I sincerely hope that you will take prompt action on our request and preserve this valuable facility for the local community.

Yours faithfully,

Max White

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 you and your family use the centre (badminton and gym), why it is important for the community (swimming lessons and social groups for the elderly), and the negative effects of its closure (lack of access for children and the elderly). 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 logical reasoning, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Your letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Therefore', and 'Additionally', to link your sentences and paragraphs. The transition between the current use of the facility and the potential consequences of its closure is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of a formal letter. Phrases such as 'proposed closure', 'essential life-saving skill', and 'social isolation' are used accurately. You avoid repetition and show a good command of topic-specific language related to community services. While the vocabulary is precise and fits the formal tone well, there is room to incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band, but your current usage is clear and effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If the sports and leisure centre closes, many local residents will be negatively affected') and relative clauses. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you maintain a consistent formal tone throughout. The structure is varied and demonstrates a solid grasp of English grammar.

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

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