Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-07

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 bring your attention to the importance of our local community centre, as it plays a significant role in the lives of local residents.

My family and I visit the Fleetwood Community Centre several times a week. My husband regularly uses the gym and attends fitness classes, while our daughter really enjoys her swimming lessons. At the same time, I prefer to read informative books in the library, which provides me with useful information about caring for my baby. Therefore, the centre has become an important part of our family’s routine.

The centre not only allows local residents to spend their spare time productively but also provides opportunities for social interaction. It promotes a healthy lifestyle, particularly among children and older residents, by offering exercise programmes and other activities based on their interests. These activities can contribute to reducing stress, improving physical health and helping people remain active.

It would be a great loss to local residents if the centre were to close. People may feel isolated because they would no longer have a convenient place to meet their friends and participate in stress-relieving activities. Moreover, families might have to enrol their children in private sports clubs, which often charge higher fees. Consequently, this could create significant financial pressure on local households.

I sincerely hope that you will consider my concerns and take appropriate measures to keep the community centre open.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Ronak

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain how your family uses the centre, why it is important for the community, and the potential negative effects of its closure. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and logically extended, providing a comprehensive argument that supports your position. There are no omissions, and the response is well-structured to meet the requirements of a formal complaint or request letter.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, and the transition between ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'At the same time', 'Moreover', and 'Consequently', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical, and the opening and closing salutations are appropriate for the formal context. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is always clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'play a significant role', 'spend their spare time productively', and 'financial pressure' show a good command of language. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately throughout the letter. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly more than adequate for a General Training Task 1. There are no spelling errors, and the word choices are consistently natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate, with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures used correctly. You demonstrate control over various grammatical forms, such as the use of conditional structures ('if the centre were to close') and relative clauses. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are not present here. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, making the text very easy to read and professional in tone.

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

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