Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have just read an article in an international travel magazine which contained some information about your town that is incorrect.

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine. In your letter

• correct the information in the article
• explain why it is important for the magazine to give correct information
• suggest what the magazine should do about this situation

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to bring to your notice an article published in your international magazine, which contained incorrect information about my hometown, Ibadan.

I sincerely appreciate your organization for highlighting different towns, as it inspires people to travel and explore new vacation destinations. However, I must inform you that the statement claiming the roads in Ibadan are in poor condition is inaccurate

In reality, the governor resurfaced and repaired all major roads throughout the city two years ago. Thanks to these infrastructure updates, the roads are currently in excellent condition and offer smooth travel for residents and visitors alike

I kindly advise the magazine to publish a correction with this updated information. If left uncorrected, the article could discourage tourism, which would negatively impact our local economy and town revenue.

Thank you for your time and understanding. I look forward to seeing the updated information in your next issue.

Yours Faithfully,

Mayowa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly identified the incorrect information regarding the roads in Ibadan, explained the potential negative impact on tourism and the local economy, and provided a constructive suggestion for the magazine to publish a correction. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to an editor, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task requirements, demonstrating a solid understanding of the communicative goal. No parts of the task were omitted, and the response maintains a consistent focus throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving from the introduction of the issue to the correction, the explanation of importance, and finally the suggested action. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In reality', and 'If left uncorrected' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the flow of information is smooth, making the text easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the overall structure is coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'bring to your notice', 'infrastructure updates', and 'negatively impact' show a level of sophistication beyond basic communication. The word choice is generally precise and fits the context well. While the vocabulary is effective, it could be further elevated to reach the highest band by incorporating more idiomatic or less common collocations. However, the current range is more than sufficient for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used complex sentences effectively, such as 'If left uncorrected, the article could discourage tourism, which would negatively impact our local economy and town revenue.' Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate throughout the text. There are no significant errors that cause confusion or impede communication. The control over verb tenses, particularly in describing past actions ('resurfaced and repaired') and current states ('are currently in excellent condition'), is accurate and consistent.

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