Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-31

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 or Madam,

I am writing regarding an article about my town that was recently published in your international travel magazine. I noticed that some information provided in the article is incorrect, and I would like to bring this issue to your attention.

According to the article, my town does not have many tourist attractions and there are limited facilities for visitors. However, this information is inaccurate. In fact, my town has several beautiful historical places, parks, restaurants, and modern facilities that attract many tourists every year.

It is important for your magazine to provide correct information because many people depend on travel magazines when planning their holidays. Incorrect details can mislead visitors and may negatively affect their experience. Moreover, it can create a wrong image of our town.

I would appreciate it if you could publish a correction in your next edition and update the information on your website. This would help readers access accurate details and maintain the reputation of your magazine.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

Manpreet Chopra

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly identify the incorrect information regarding the town's tourist facilities, explain the importance of accuracy for travelers, and provide a constructive suggestion for the magazine to rectify the situation. 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 logically presented, meeting all requirements of the task. No parts of the prompt were omitted, and the response maintains a consistent and professional position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

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 cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Moreover,' and 'In fact' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter, and the overall structure is easy to follow. The use of referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, contributing to a coherent piece of writing that is easy to read.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to communicate your message clearly and precisely. Phrases like 'bring this issue to your attention,' 'mislead visitors,' and 'maintain the reputation' are well-chosen and appropriate for the formal context. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The response displays a good variety of sentence structures, including both simple and complex sentences. The grammar is highly accurate, with no significant errors that distract the reader. You demonstrate good control over complex structures, such as in the sentence 'It is important for your magazine to provide correct information because many people depend on travel magazines when planning their holidays.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the overall control of language is strong, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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