Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-23

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 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

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

My family and I use the centre regularly. I visit the gym and swimming pool several times a week, while my younger brother attends football and swimming classes. At weekends, my friends and I often play badminton there. The centre is affordable, convenient and suitable for people of all ages.

I believe it is extremely important to our community because it promotes healthy lifestyles and provides a safe place for residents to exercise and socialise. It is particularly valuable for children and teenagers, who can participate in organised activities and develop teamwork and discipline.

If the centre closes, many residents may have to travel considerable distances to access similar facilities, which could discourage them from exercising. Children would also lose an important recreational space, and local sports clubs could struggle to find suitable venues.

I sincerely hope the council will reconsider this decision.

Yours faithfully,

Rumaisa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

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 the specific activities your brother participates in and the social benefits for teenagers. You have successfully met all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a polite closing. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'while', 'at weekends', 'particularly', and 'if the centre closes', which help to guide the reader through your argument. 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 have used a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context of a formal letter. Phrases such as 'proposed closure', 'organised activities', 'recreational space', and 'reconsider this decision' demonstrate a solid command of language. The vocabulary is precise and conveys your meaning clearly without any noticeable errors. While the range is sufficient and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items could elevate the response further, but the current level is well-suited to the task requirements.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with conditional clauses ('If the centre closes, many residents may have to...') and relative clauses ('...teenagers, who can participate in...'). Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you demonstrate good control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. The grammatical control is consistent and supports the overall quality of the letter.

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

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