Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-23

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 regarding an article about my town that was recently published in your travel magazine. Although I appreciate your efforts to provide useful information to international travellers, I noticed that some details about the town are incorrect.

The article states that the town’s main tourist attraction, Riverside Park, is open every day until 10 p.m. However, it is actually closed on Mondays and closes at 6 p.m. on other weekdays. In addition, the article mentions that the town has no public transportation connecting the railway station to the city centre. In fact, there is a frequent bus service that operates every 15 minutes.

It is important for your magazine to provide accurate information because international visitors often rely on travel articles when planning their trips. Incorrect details could cause considerable inconvenience, particularly for tourists who have limited time and are unfamiliar with the area. It could also damage the reputation of both the magazine and the town.

I would therefore suggest publishing a correction in your next issue and updating the online version of the article immediately. Please also verify the information with the local tourism office before publishing future articles.

I look forward to seeing these corrections made.

Yours faithfully,

Prachi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly identified the incorrect information regarding the park hours and the public transport situation. You provided a logical explanation for why accuracy is vital for a travel magazine, and your suggestions for rectification are practical and appropriate for the context. The tone is consistently formal and polite, which is exactly what is required for a letter to an editor. The purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, and the development of ideas is balanced and relevant throughout the entire response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is well-structured with a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear focus: the introduction states the purpose, the second paragraph addresses the corrections, the third explains the importance of accuracy, and the final paragraph offers solutions. You have used cohesive devices such as 'However', 'In addition', 'In fact', and 'therefore' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall readability of the letter. There is a natural flow throughout the text, and the use of referencing is precise.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You have demonstrated a wide range of vocabulary that is both natural and appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'appreciate your efforts', 'considerable inconvenience', and 'verify the information' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is used with precision, and there are no instances of awkward phrasing or misuse of words. You have successfully maintained a professional tone throughout, which is a key requirement for this type of task. The language is sophisticated enough to convey your message clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'particularly for tourists who have limited time and are unfamiliar with the area'. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and sentence construction is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency. The writing is error-free, and the complexity of the structures used is appropriate for the task.

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