Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-08

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to bring to your attention some inaccurate information about my town published in an international travel magazine.

To begin with, the article incorrectly states that my town does not maintain adequate standards of cleanliness, which is entirely inaccurate. I also noticed that several photographs were included as evidence; however, I would like to point out that these images were actually taken in a nearby village rather than in our town.

Additionally, it is particularly important for the magazine to provide information that is accurate and up to date, especially because our town is well known for the cleanliness of its streets and parks. I believe that publishing misleading information could create an unfairly negative impression of the town among potential visitors.

To address this issue, I would greatly appreciate it if you could remove the current article and republish it with the correct information and photographs. I am confident that addressing this matter promptly will help preserve the positive reputation of our town.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Sukhdeep Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points of the task. You clearly identify the inaccuracies regarding the town's cleanliness and the misattributed photographs. You explain the importance of accuracy by highlighting the potential negative impact on the town's reputation and tourism. Finally, you provide a clear and logical suggestion for the magazine to rectify the situation. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to an editor, and the purpose is clear from the outset. All parts of the prompt are well-developed and supported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Additionally', and 'To address this issue', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is professional and easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the formal context of the letter. Phrases such as 'bring to your attention', 'inaccurate information', 'misleading information', and 'preserve the positive reputation' are precise and natural. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently accurate throughout the text. While the vocabulary is effective and appropriate for the task, it stays within a standard range; incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate this further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'if you could remove...' and the use of subordinate clauses like 'especially because our town is well known for...'. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent and accurate, contributing to a professional and polished tone throughout the letter.

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

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