Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-30

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 the local sports and leisure centre, which is an important facility for many residents.

My friends and I use the centre several times a week. I regularly use the swimming pool and gym, while my friends attend badminton and fitness classes. My younger brother also takes swimming lessons there, and we often visit at weekends for recreational activities. The centre has therefore become an important part of our weekly routine.

The facility is valuable to the community because it provides affordable opportunities for people of all ages to exercise and socialise. It is particularly useful for families, young people and elderly residents who may not be able to afford private facilities.

If the centre closes, local residents may have to travel much farther to access similar services. This could discourage people from exercising, particularly those without cars or sufficient income. Children and older residents could also lose valuable opportunities for sports and social interaction.

I would therefore urge the council to reconsider the closure and explore alternative funding options.

Yours faithfully,

Reezul

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly explain how you and your family use the centre, provide a compelling argument for its importance to the community, and detail the 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 logically presented, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, ensuring a logical flow of ideas. You use cohesive devices such as 'therefore', 'particularly', and 'if the centre closes' effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the overall organisation is professional and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'proposed closure', 'recreational activities', 'affordable opportunities', and 'alternative funding options' are used accurately. The language is natural and precise throughout the text. While the vocabulary is functional and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing is highly accurate with a variety of sentence structures. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'If the centre closes, local residents may have to travel much farther to access similar services', which are grammatically sound. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The control over grammar is consistent, and the majority of your sentences are error-free.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.