Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-11

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 9.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern regarding an article recently published in your international travel magazine about my town. Unfortunately, some of the information provided in the article is inaccurate, and I would like to clarify the situation.

Firstly, the article states that the town's main tourist attraction, Riverside Park, is open throughout the year. However, the park is actually closed from November to March due to severe winter weather conditions. In addition, the article mentions that there are several frequent bus services connecting the town to the nearest airport. In reality, there is only one bus service per day, and visitors often need to arrange alternative transportation.

It is important for your magazine to provide accurate information because many tourists rely on travel publications when planning their trips. Incorrect details about transportation and attractions could cause visitors considerable inconvenience, additional expenses and disappointment.

I would therefore suggest that the magazine publish a correction in its next edition and update the information on its website. I would also appreciate it if you could verify the relevant details with the local tourism office before publishing future articles.

I hope you will take this matter seriously and ensure that accurate information is provided to your readers.

Yours faithfully,

Raman

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly identified the incorrect information regarding the park and the bus service, explained the importance of accuracy for tourists, and provided logical suggestions for the magazine to rectify the situation. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to an editor. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. You have maintained a professional stance throughout, and the letter is well-structured to meet the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central focus, and the transition between the identification of errors, the explanation of their impact, and the proposed solutions is seamless. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', 'However', and 'I would therefore suggest', which guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the letter, ensuring the text is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have demonstrated a wide and precise range of vocabulary suitable for a formal complaint. Phrases such as 'express my concern', 'inaccurate', 'clarify the situation', and 'arrange alternative transportation' show a high level of control. The word choices are natural and sophisticated, fitting the context of a professional correspondence perfectly. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is both accurate and varied, contributing to the overall clarity and professional tone of the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have successfully used complex sentences, such as 'It is important for your magazine to provide accurate information because many tourists rely on travel publications when planning their trips.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and sentence structure is excellent, and the majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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