british council band 9 essays

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IELTS Band 9 Essays

Do you know the difference between an IELTS Band 6 essay and an IELTS Band 9 essay for Writing Task 2?

Most IELTS students don’t, and this is what prevents them from getting the scores they need.

What does an IELTS Band 9 Essay look like?

An IELTS Band 9 Essay is one that shows the examiner that you are an expert user of English.  The official IELTS scale describes an expert user in the following way:

“The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding.”

In writing, this means you need to achieve a band 9 in each of the four IELTS marking criteria:

Task response

• Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy.

Here is a description of the marking criteria for an IELTS Band 9 Essay for Writing Task 2:

That’s quite complex, so I’ve simplified it for you:

• Answer all parts of the question
• Present relevant ideas
• Fully explain these ideas
• Support ideas with relevant, specific examples

Coherence and Cohesion

• Organise your ideas in logical paragraphs
• Include an introduction and conclusion
• Use cohesive devices (also known as ‘linking words’) accurately
• Don’t use too many or too few cohesive devices
• Vary your cohesive devices by using synonyms
• Try to vary your vocabulary, using accurate synonyms
• Use less common topic-specific words that accurately convey meaning
• Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
• Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
• Use a variety of appropriate structures
• Check your writing for errors

If you want to know more about the marking criteria for other bands, you can download the full Writing Task 2 band descriptors here.

Watch my video below for the biggest differences between an IELTS Band 6 Essay and an IELTS Band 9 Essay.

Opinion essay  

Band 9 essay sample  .

To see a lesson on the question above, click here .

Discussion essay  

Band 9 essay sample , problems and solutions essay  , advantages and disadvantages essay  .

There are two types of advantages and disadvantages questions:

• Type 1 – Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Type 2 – Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

For more information about these two types of questions, have a look at our page here .

Band 9 Essay Sample (Type 1) 

Band 9 essay sample 1 (type 2) .

To see a lesson on both of the questions above, click here .

Double Question essay  

Band 9 essay sample, what about task 1  what does a band 9 task 1 answer look like for ielts academic and ielts general training.

Just like for Task 2, a Band 9 Task 1 answer needs to show the examiner that the test taker is an expert user of English who can respond fully to all of the marking criteria.  

For more information about how to write a Band 9 Task 1 answer, have a look at our page for Writing Task 1 . 

If you’d like to see the marking criteria for IELTS Task 1, you can download a full description here .

For more about the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General, check out our page about IELTS preparation here or this page on the official IELTS website .

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IELTS Essay Samples of Band 9

• 27 Comments
• IELTS Essays - Band 9 , IELTS Writing Samples

Last updated: May 3, 2023

Here you can find IELTS Essay samples of Band 9, written by a native English speaker and a former IELTS examiner. Robert Nicholson is the co-author of ‘High Scorer’s Choice’ IELTS Practice Tests book series, created in collaboration with Simone Braverman, the founder of this website. New essays are being added weekly.

Click on one of the topics below to jump to essays on that topic.

Crime and Punishment Education Environment Family and Children Global Issues Government and Laws Health Housing and Town Planning Language Media and Advertising Science Society and Social Matters Sport and Exercise Tourism Work

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Crime and Punishment

Former prisoners commit crimes after release (reasons and solutions) – Sample essay 1

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Education

Schools should teach their students how to survive financially in the world today (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 1 Some people believe that teaching music in schools is vital, while others think it is unnecessary (opinion) – Sample essay 2 Teachers should be required to conform to a dress code (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 3 Many people nowadays travel abroad for their university education (discuss) – Sample essay 4 Some schools insist that students have laptops in class (advantages/disadvantages) – Sample essay 5 Should governments or teachers be responsible for what is to be taught in schools (opinion)? – Sample essay 6 Do schools still need to teach handwriting and mental mathematics skills (opinion)? – Sample essay 7 Should boys and girls be educated separately (opinion)? – Sample essay 8 Should school children be given homework (opinion)? – Sample essay 9 Schoolchildren today take part in short work experience sessions instead of school (advantages/disadvantages) – Sample essay 10 Artificial Intelligence will take over the role of teachers (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 11

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Environment

Wildlife population around the world has decreased by around 50 per cent, what can we do to protect wildlife? – Sample essay 1 Increases in fuel prices are the only way to reduce world consumption of fuel (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 2 Ending the world’s reliance on fossil fuels will be a positive development (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 3

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Family and Children

Some parents think that children must do house chores (opinion) – Sample essay 1 Is using physical force to discipline children acceptable (opinion)? – Sample essay 2 Women, not men, should stay at home to care for children (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 3

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Global Issues

Some people believe that the world’s increase in population is unsustainable, while others think it is necessary and beneficial (opinion) – Sample essay 1 The world today is a safer place and governments should stop spending large amounts of money on their armed forces (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 2 With the scale of globalisation today, it would be best to have a single world currency (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 3 There is a moral necessity today for the richer countries of the world to help the poorer countries develop (agree/disagree) Sample essay 4

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Government and Laws

Should the government put a tax on fast food to reduce obesity (opinion)? – Sample essay 1 Some people believe that the problem of illegal drugs can be solved by legalising all drugs (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 2 Unemployment payments encourage people not to seek work (opinion) – Sample essay 3 Individuals should be responsible for funding their own retirement (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 4 Households should have a government-imposed limit on the amount of rubbish they produce (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 5

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Health

Some say that people should diet and exercise to lose weight, while others think they should eat better and change their lifestyle (opinion) – Sample essay 1

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Housing and Town Planning

Today’s governments struggle to create enough housing for increasing populations while protecting the environment (opinion) – Sample essay 2 In some countries private cars are now banned from city centres (advantages/disadvantages) – Sample essay 3 Is banning cars from city centres a positive or negative development? – Sample essay 4 The advantages and disadvantages of high-rise apartment living – Sample essay 5 Some people like to own their home while others prefer to rent it (discuss) – Sample essay 6

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Language

Is learning a foreign language essential or a waste of time (opinion)? – Sample essay 1

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Media and Advertising

The number of advertisements for charities is increasing, what is causing this? – Sample essay 1

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Science

Breakthroughs in medical science are the most significant advances over the last two centuries (opinion) – Sample essay 1

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Society and Social Matters

Some people believe that everyone has a right to access to the Internet and governments should provide it free (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 1 Should copyright materials such as music, films and books be freely available on the Internet (opinion)? – Sample essay 2 Can the society cope with the larger number of elderly people and how? – Sample essay 3 Athletes and entertainers’ enormous salaries reflect our dependence on entertainment (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 4 Is it acceptable that enormous sums are paid for pieces of art when many people around the world live in poverty? – Sample essay 5 Everybody should pay a small amount from their income to help people in poverty (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 6 Only people over 18 years old should be allowed to use social media (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 7 Libraries are not a necessity anymore because of the digital resources available today (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 8 Is fashion a significant part of society, or a waste of time and money (opinion) – Sample essay 9 Traffic on roads has become a problem in nearly every country in the world (solutions) – Sample essay 10

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Sport and Exercise

Some people think that sport in schools is a waste of time and resources, while others believe it is a vital part of education (opinion) – Sample essay 1

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Tourism

Should governments impose extra taxes to restrict tourism in order to reduce pollution? – Sample essay 1 In some cities the numbers of tourists seem overwhelming, why is this happening? – Sample essay 2

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Work

What is the best motivation for workers – salary, job satisfaction or helping others? – Sample essay 1 Having a salaried job is better than being self-employed (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 2 Is studying at university better than getting a job straight after school (opinion)? – Sample essay 3 People today find their lives more and more dominated by their jobs (agree/disagree) – Sample essay 4

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27 thoughts on “IELTS Essay Samples of Band 9”

Dear my online teacher. Do you have a collected sample essays band 8 or 9 in one pdf. I am facing difficulty in writing. I hope you send me within a short time

I need an example of following writing task. If you have, Can you please share it with me. “Some people feel that developments in science are happening so fast that it is difficult for peopleto appreciate the effects of such advances. Others feel we should trust scientistsmore and stop worrying. Discuss both views and give your own opinion”

Hi, how can I write the introduction for this essay?

More people decided to have children in their later age than in the past. Why? Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Please I need your response.

Hi Matthew, in the introduction for this essay you would first describe the problem while paraphrasing the topic (don’t copy it word for word) and you can also say that there are advantages and disadvantages to this decision. You can also include your opinion, or alternatively you can write your opinion in the conclusion paragraph.

Dear my online teacher. Do you have a collected sample essays band 8 or 9 in one pdf. I am facing difficulty in writing. I hope you send me within a short

Worth reading , please update more if you have .

I had been following your update in email , and I am so lucky that I have this site to teach me more strategies in writing an essay.

Great to hear our emails have been useful Barbie! Hope you can use the info to achieve your target score in IELTS.

I have more need of your writing essays because your writing tasks are very convenient or 9 band Plz provide me some eassy regarding all essays …….

Thank you for your feedback Pardeep! It’s great to hear you are finding our model essays useful. We will keep posting them on the blog, you can count on us to help with your IELTS preparation!

Hello can you contact with me if you do not mind? I have some questions and i need your help if you can

Hi Torhijon, how can I help?

Hi I am getting difficult to create ideas in writing all type of essay. How shall I prepare for it.

Hi Samir, are there at least some topics that you don’t have trouble coming up with ideas for? I am trying to understand whether your problem is knowledge-related or not. If it’s knowledge-related, reading well-written essays on a variety of topics can help. Another problem is when people just can’t generate ideas quickly enough, and that is different. Which one do you think it is for you?

That’s great

I’m glad you found the model essays useful! Thanks for your feedback.

If I disagree this idea,in which structure I write Body paragraphs

How can we score 9 band in our ielts exam

If we write little more than 300 words in writing task 2, will we be disqualified? Or get a negative marking?

Hi Sanye, you can write over 300 words in the writing task 2 and you won’t be penalised for that.

Definitely i have hot a lot of questions about writing please help me

Will be happy to, what questions do you have?

Hi! I really appreciate your efforts. Keep sharing such informative stuff. Really amazing. Thank you.

Will do! Thank you for your feedback, Rohan!

I appreciate your sharing. It was a good article. Quite impressive and surely be of great assistance to the public.

Thank you for sharing this valuable information. I really enjoyed reading your post and gained some new insights on many topics. Looking forward to more informative content from you.

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IELTS Writing Samples Band 9

You recently ordered something online; when you opened the packet the product was damaged with which you were disappointed, having more money and less free time is better than earning less money and having more free time. discuss both views and state your opinion., some people think that the amount of money spent on library is a waste as a new technologies are developing and replacing library functions. do you agree or disagree, some children spend hours every day on their smartphones. why is this the case do you think this is a positive or a negative development, many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to their main subjects. others feel it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for their qualification., some people say that the main environmental problem of our times is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. others say that there are more important environmental problems. discuss both these views and give your opinion., some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. discuss both these views and give your opinion. give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example for your own knowledge or experience., in many countries today, women have full-time jobs. therefore, it is reasonable to share housework equally between men and women. to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. write at least 250 words., in many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. some people say an ageing population creates problems for governments. other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people., the most importan aim of science is to should be to improve people's life. to what extent do you agree or disagree with this estatement., some people believe that increasing tax on various industries will reduce pollution whereas others believe that there are better ways. discuss both views and give your opinion., some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children). do you agree or disagree, some people think that paying taxes is a big enough contribution to society, while others think people have more responsibilities as a member of society than only paying taxes. discuss both views and give your opinion., in many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing. do you think this is a positive or a negative development, some children spend hours every day on their smartphones. why is this the case do you think this is a positive or a negative development, some people say that modern innovation brings about more problems than benefits do you agree or disagree, some people believe that teenagers should concentrate on all school subject. but others believe that teenagers should focus on the subject that they are good at or they find the most interest. discuss both sides and give your opinion., some people say it is a waste of time to plan for future. it is more important to focus on present. do you agree or disagree, do you agree or disagree with the following statement it is more important for students to understand ideas and concepts than it is for them to learn facts.use specific reasons and examples to support your answer, 2.it is becoming increasingly popular to have a year off between finishing school and going university. what are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

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35 Sample Strip 9 IELTS Essays

Take a look at these 35 sample Band 9 IELTS essays for written task 2 of the IELTS exam . Task 2 can lid an wide coverage of essay issues for this IELTS writing task section are which test, so preparation is key. Use to following samples when preparing your IELTS essays to see how close you are to a band 9!

These IELTS band 9 essay samples will help you highlight to mistakes and improve own writing band 9 stage.

See that below IELTS essential writing sample questions or answers to practice for your IELTS writing assignment 2 .

You will meet and IELTS essay questions additionally answers category by the following essay choose.

• Do you agree/disagree
• Discuss two views and give your opinion
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
• Discuss the problems and possible solutions
• Is dieser an active or a negate development

For ampere FREE ebook of our tops 10 IELTS Band 9 endeavor samples in PDF, click here!

1. affirm conversely disagree .

• Some people believe that advanced features made man more social. To what extent do you agree or dissent with this beratung?
• Some human consider that a person improves their intellectual skills more when done group activities. To what extent do you agree? Use specific details and examples the explain you view.
• In some countries, the number away shootings grow because many men have cannon at home. To get extent do you agree or disagree? Make specific reasons and examples to supporting your answer.
• Couple folks believe that internationally sporting actions are who ideal opportunity to shows the world the valuable of the hosting nation. Select believe that these events are mainly a tall unbearable expense. Go what sizes do you agree or disagree?
• Crime is a major problem in the world; many believe ensure non can be done up prevent it. To what extent do you agreeing oder disagree? Invite your own opinion.
• Make einem enjoyable company to a child can developers better skills and more creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific real to explain your answer.
• Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for that development of less nations. However, the governments of richer nations should bear more responsible used helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do to agreements?
• Advances in heal and biology and other areas of social in the newest 100 years have transformation one way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this user?
• The world exists consuming natural resources fast than they can be renewed. Consequently, it is important which wares are made to last. Ministries should discourage people off constantly shop more up-to-date or fashionable products. To what extent do her agree with to statement?
• Some people believe that children’s time activities have become educational, otherwise, they are a total waste about clock. Do you agreeing otherwise disagree? Give reasons for your answer and inclusions anything applicable examples from your experience.
• Lots governments in the world spends immense amounts of money on art, which helps to improve the quality of people’s lives. However, governments should spend money over various things rather than art. Do you agree or differ? Give your meinungsbild.

2. Discuss both views furthermore give your point of view?

• NEW SEPTEMBER 2022: Couple people believe that specialists such as doctors and engineers should be required to work in the staat where they did their training. Others thinking they should be clear to work in another country if they wish. Consider both these views and give your own our.
• Nowadays most green energy is becoming immersion prevalent in both developed additionally developing international. Some argue they greatly reduce charge and become better for one environment, else believe they are a serious threatening toward energy security. Explore both views and give your opinion.
• Some people are of one opinion that children shouldn become rewarded for sound behaviour. Else think people should be punished for bad behaviour. Discuss both my and give your personal opinion and reasons.
• More people reflect that keeping pets is good for children while additional imagine it shall dangerous real unhealthy. Which gutachten do you agree is? Consider both option and give examples .
• Some people think that secondary school children should study multinational news as one of the school people. Other people think that it is a waste by resources go time. What do you think? Give basis since your answer and include any relevant examples after your own knowledge otherwise suffer.
• Some products can be made swiftly by a machine. Other items take ampere long time in be made with pass. As a buyer, whose do you prefer plus how? Give specific details and examples in your react.
• More people think women should be given equal chances to work and excel the them careers. Others believe that an woman’s role should be limits in captivating care of an house and offspring. Whichever opinion do you agree with and why? Include specific details the examples to support your choice.
• Most schools are project to supplant sports and exercise classes including more academic sessions. How will diese change affect children’s living stylish your view?
• Some people think which schools have to be more entertaining, while others think that their sole aim is to educate. Which do you agreed the? Use specific reasons both examples to support your auffassung.
• Some people think that it is acceptable to use animals in medizin investigation fork that benefit of humane beings, while other people argue that itp is wrong.
• Should humanity adapt to technology instead should product be adapted to us? Is technology making us intellectually weaker or more intelligent?
• Do copyright laws curb creativity or prize it? Would society function better without such rules and regulations?
• Should schooling and healthcare be free of charge and funded the an government, or should it be the responsibly of the men to pay for dieser services? Featured the above and give your opinion using real.

3. Discuss to advantages and disadvantages

• Is it good for children to start using computers from on early age the spend long hours on them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of moving directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages and dis of both approaches. Give related for your answer and enclose any relevant examples from thine own understanding or experience.

4. Two questions, for example: Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negatory evolution?

• These days some people spend a lot of money on tickets toward zu to sporting or activities. Do you think this a a positive or negative development ?
• Many join like to travel outside their country. Others be rather travel up tourist spots in its own heimat first, before travelling abroad. Whatever do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
• Women can do everything that men can and they even do it better. You also can do many things that die unable. However it is one actual that their work is not appreciated how much as men’s, although they have to sacrifice adenine lot for their family furthermore career… E your said: “A woman’s place is in the home.” What do you think?

5. Discuss the problems and possible solutions OR discuss the causal and what problems it causes?

• Folks are using a lot of online language translation apps. Do the benefits of this outweigh an disadvantages?
• Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich regions. Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide customized grounds and browse to support your answer.
• Today, the quality of life inches bigger cities is decreasing.  Discuss the causes and solutions.
• How shows that global warming is caused by human business. What are the possible effects of climate change the what can governments and mortals do to reduce these?
• In many nations, recently young single people have been home far by their people, from the time they began studies or work and to they matrimonial. Do you think there are more advantages otherwise disadvantages to this trend?
• Traditional training is out of date, boring and stifles a child’s organic talents, various professionals have pushed required an education revolution. Are there alternatives included the education system? Is traditional education doing more harm than good?

Take a look at all of our writing my to help you prepare for insert IELTS exam , and if you need more help, we have a direction that is guaranteed to help you pass IELTS. Practicing IELTS letter task 2 essays is very important fork your exam preparation.

Video: IELTS Band 9 Writings Sample – Body Articles

Click here for a free ebook of our top 10 ielts band 9 samples forward writing mission 2 include pdf,, for more preparation, pick a look along unser newest lesson:.

• Band 9 Model Essay and Vocabulary-Cryptocurrency
• Sample task 2 questions
• Sample Band 9 Essay: Children and Education
• Sample Answers: discuss and edge furthermore disadvantages
• How to get ideas for tasks 2
• Full guide to academic collocations
• How for write a agree/disagree essay
• IELTS Writing Task 2: our and disadvantages questions

On one FREELY ebook of our top 10 sample essays, click here!

Frequently Questions Questions (FAQ)

How to evaluation band 9 in ielts writers.

You can score band 9 in IELTS writing by following that steps:

• Make sure you comprehension the question and respond whats is being questioned.
• Plan out your essay before you start text
• Write your essay, review it and then “rewrite” it .
• Get feedback on your essays and find output find you may be losing points.
• Improve your language your.

Get this post for more picks.

How do him write a 9 band essay?

Practice apiece essay type and be clear about the criteria to a perfect score. Basicly, you need clear formal paragraphing, to essay that ‘flows’ logically and stays focused on the question, which be reply fully with high-level flash and near-perfect grammar. IELTS Writing Task 2: Band 9 Sampler Dissertation | IELTS Podcast

How can I receive 9 in IELTS how?

Look at model responds and memorize sentences that work forward most essays – ‘In the modern world’ is a great route to start. ADENINE focusing on global issues and international examples rounds outgoing your answer and practice timed essays front the test.

Can thee get 10 in IELTS?

Does, the apex band score is a 9. Be realistic though, some of the best universities in the global require a band 7 or 7.5 forward their most challenging courses so a perfect score isn’t necessary for best situations.

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At least 115 killed and scores wounded in Moscow concert hall attack

Islamic State claims responsibility after gunmen in combat gear opened fire and reportedly set off explosives at Crocus City Hall

• Moscow attack – latest updates
• Moscow concert hall attack: what we know so far

At least 115 people have been killed and 145 wounded in Russia’s worst terror attack in years, as gunmen in combat fatigues opened fire and detonated explosives in a major concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow.

Russian media say authorities have detained 11 people.

Three children were among the dead, Ria cited the regional healthcare ministry as saying on Saturday. Authorities had earlier said five children were among the victims and that about 60 people were in serious condition.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack late on Friday, in a post on Telegram in which the group claimed its gunmen had managed to escape afterwards. A US official said Washington had intelligence confirming Islamic State’s claim.

Photos showed Crocus City Hall engulfed in flames as videos emerged showing at least four gunmen opening fire with automatic weapons as panicked Russians fled for their lives.

In one clip, three men in fatigues carrying rifles fired at point-blank range into bodies strewn about the lobby of the concert hall.

The assailants also apparently detonated explosives during the attack. At least two blasts took place at the concert hall on Friday evening, news agencies reported.

Video published online showed horrific scenes of some people begging for help from the roof of the concert hall as it burned behind them. Other video footage showed people screaming, crawling on their hands and knees out of the music venue or fleeing down stairwells.

One witness said he was about to settle into his seat when he heard “several machine gun bursts” and “a lot of screams”.

“I realised right away that it was automatic gunfire and understood that most likely it’s the worst: a terrorist attack,” the man, who gave his name as Alexei, told Agence-France Presse.

Another concertgoer described scenes of panic as terrified people tried to escape. “A stampede began. Everyone ran to the escalator,” he told Reuters. “Everyone was screaming; everyone was running.”

At least three emergency helicopters had been deployed to extinguish the fire. There had been a partial collapse of the roof of the Crocus City Mall, local media reported. Shortly after midnight, the emergencies ministry said the fire had been contained.

A witness told the Mash Telegram channel that there were “at least five” attackers and that they were “bearded”.

“They act like trained fighters,” the account read. “At the moment of entering the building, the guards and people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the main entrance.

“The terrorists are armed with [Kalashnikov] assault rifles. Some carried vests with various ammunition. At least two of the attackers are carrying backpacks, possibly with molotov cocktails.”

In his first comments on the shooting, President Vladimir Putin wished all those injured in the terrorist attack a speedy recovery. The Kremlin said he was being updated by security chiefs about the situation, including from Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Russian investigators published pictures of a Kalashnikov automatic weapon, vests with multiple spare magazines and bags of spent bullet casings. A grainy picture was published by some Russian media of two of the alleged attackers in a white car. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that the Moscow government would cancel all cultural, sporting and other mass events for the weekend after the attack, as Russian railways and other major utilities said they were increasing security.

Sobyanin called the attack a “great tragedy”. At least 70 ambulances had been dispatched to the site.

Earlier this month, western countries led by the US had issued terror warnings and told their citizens not to join public gatherings in Russia.

On 8 March, the embassy wrote it was “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and US citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours”.

Islamic State said late on Friday its fighters had attacked on the outskirts of Moscow, “killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.” The statement gave no further detail.

The US had intelligence confirming Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the shooting, a US official said, adding that Washington had warned Moscow in recent weeks of the possibility of an attack.

“We did warn the Russians appropriately,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, without providing any additional details.

Russian media reports said riot police units were sent to the area as people were being evacuated and Speznaz units of the Russian national guard began storming the building later on Friday evening.

The shootings at the concert hall were reminiscent of some of Europe’s worst terrorist incidents such as the attack on the Bataclan in Paris in November 2015. Russians are likely to recall the Nord Ost terrorist attack in Moscow in 2002, when gunmen took hostages at a theatre, ultimately leading to the deaths of 40 hostage takers and 132 hostages.

The Moscow attack was the deadliest attack in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege , in which 334 people, including 186 children, were killed after being held captive by militants for two days.

The British embassy in Moscow condemned Friday’s attack. “We condemn the terrorist attack at the Moscow region’s Crocus City Hall. It’s a horrible tragedy. We offer sincere condolences to the relatives and loved ones of those hurt and killed in today’s events,” the embassy said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

The UN security council condemned what it called a “heinous and cowardly terrorist attack”.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the “images of the attack were just horrible and just hard to watch”. The White House had no indication that Ukraine was involved in the attack, Kirby added. Russia is fighting a major war in Ukraine.

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in February in a Russian penal colony, described the attack as a “nightmare”, adding in a post on X: “Condolences to the families of the victims and recovery to the injured. All those involved in this crime must be found and held accountable.”

A top Ukrainian official said the country had no involvement in the attack.

“Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall,” Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential administration, wrote on X.

“It makes no sense whatsoever. Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods.”

Dmitry Medvedev, the ex-president of Russia and now deputy chairman of its security council, wrote that “if it is established that they are terrorists of the Kyiv regime, it’s impossible to treat them and those who inspired them differently.

“They all should be found and relentlessly destroyed as terrorists. Including officials of the state that committed such an evil thing. Death for death.”

There was no evidence that Ukraine had any involvement in the attacks.

The attack took place at a sold-out concert by the Russian Soviet-era rock band Piknik. Crocus City Hall, capacity 6,200, is one of the largest and most popular music venues in the Moscow oblast.

The warnings from the western embassies came shortly after Russia said it had foiled a planned shooting by an Afghan group linked to Islamic State.

The FSB said it had foiled an attack on a Moscow synagogue by Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan, known as Isis-Khorasan or Isis-K, and seeks a caliphate across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran.

Putin changed the course of the Syrian civil war by intervening in 2015, supporting President Bashar al-Assad against the opposition and Islamic State.

Russian authorities had also recently carried out raids against armed Islamist militants in the region of Ingushetia, leading to firefights between police and the fighters. Putin had called the March warnings from western embassies a “provocation”.

“All this resembles outright blackmail and the intention to intimidate and destabilise our society,” he said earlier this month.

Russia has not faced a large terrorist attack on its own territory since 2017, when 14 people were killed in a blast on the St Petersburg metro .

Suicide bombers killed 34 people in Volgograd in 2013 shortly before the Sochi Olympics. And in 2011, suicide bombers killed 30 people at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport.

Reuters contributed to this report

• Moscow concert hall attack
• Islamic State

More on this story

Moscow concert attack: fear death toll higher after reports of up to 100 missing

‘I noticed nothing strange’: suspect’s colleagues express shock at Moscow attack

Russia lauding torture was unthinkable – now it is proud to do so

Putin says radical Islamists carried out Moscow attack but maintains suggestion of Ukraine role

Putin’s lethally negligent failure can’t be covered up. The Moscow attack leaves him weaker than ever

Four suspects in Moscow concert hall terror attack appear in court

‘I fell to the floor and pretended to be dead’: survivors of Moscow attack tell of horror

Did Ukraine war lead Russian security services to neglect Islamist threat?

Moscow terror attack: Putin says all four gunmen held as death toll reaches 133

Moscow concert hall shooting: dozens killed and at least 100 wounded in attack – video report

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• IELTS Sample Letters – Band 9

Home  »  General Task 1  »  IELTS Sample Letters – Band 9  In the General writing task of the IELTS test, for task 1 you will be asked to write a letter. This may be a formal, semi-formal or informal letter. You are expected to write at least 150 words although you will not be penalised for writing less. To get a band score of 9 on the IELTS writing test, you will need a 9 in each of the four criteria for both task 1 and task 2. Even one band 8 score in any of the criteria will prevent you from getting a band 9. Before we can begin working on getting a band score of 9 in IELTS writing, we first need to know what the criteria for band 9 are in writing task 1 of the IELTS exam . This includes things like grammatical range and accuracy, diversity of vocabulary, the tone of your letter, as well as coherence and cohesion.

Band 9 Descriptors and what they mean

Task achievement.

• Fully satisfies all requirements of the task
• Clearly presents a fully developed response

Candidates have covered all the bullet points, and they have extended them with details that are relevant and appropriate. There is nothing that can be added to the IELTS letter to improve it. However, there is also no information that is off-topic or superfluous. Additionally, the register (how formal or informal) of the task 1 response is appropriate. This means that the candidate has used appropriate language, whether the IELTS letter is formal, semi-formal or informal.

Coherence and Cohesion

• Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
• Skillfully manages paragraphing

Candidates at band 9 know that they don’t need to use a lot of linking words to make their writing cohesive. Instead, they use other types of cohesion like pronouns, ellipsis, synonyms and other grammatical structures that create cohesion. As you get into the higher band scores of the IELTS test, examiners expect to see appropriate paragraphing. You should have at least 3 paragraphs in your letter. Another important element in terms of Coherence and Cohesion is logical organization of ideas within the paragraphs. You can organize your letter in the order that your three bullet points are given as a starting point, but it is not always necessary to do it that way. As long as what you have written is easy for the reader to follow, you’re on your way to a higher band score.

Lexical Resource

• Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features
• are minor errors occur only as ‘slips’

This does not mean you should write every advanced vocabulary word you know. Instead, Band 9 IELTS writing uses words that are appropriate, fit the topic, and show highly-skilled use of collocations and expressions. Additionally, whether you are writing a formal letter or an informal letter will determine to some degree what type of vocabulary you choose.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
• rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’

One does not expect to find grammatical mistakes in an IELTS band 9 letters . If an error occurs, it is likely an error of speed or a mistake that a native speaker might make. If you had to pick out keywords from each criterion, they would be  fully, natural  and  wide range.  In contrast, the keywords for band 8 are  sufficiently, flexibly and skillfully. This is an important distinction between band 8 and band 9; when you understand what is expected of you at each band score, you can prepare for it and begin to expect it of yourself.

IELTS General Task 1 Topics

There is a wide range of topics that come up in the IELTS General training task 1 . Formal letter examples:

• Letter of complaint to a company
• Letter to apply for a job
• Making a suggestion to a company/ local government/ newspaper
• Request for information

Semi-formal letter examples:

• Making a suggestion to your manager
• Complaining to your neighbour
• Asking a teacher for information or a favour

Informal IELTS letter examples:

• A letter to a friend to apologize
• Inviting a friend
• Asking a friend for information
• Thanking a friend

Band 9 Sample Informal Letter for Writing Task 1

The below letter is an example of a band 9 informal letter to a friend. Write a letter to a friend to ask him/her to develop a website for your business. In your letter:

• Give a brief description of the business
• Mention what you’d like to be there on the website
• Provide some ideas on the use of images on the website.

Sample Answer

Dear Evi, How are you? I hope you and John are doing well. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since our last vacation together! I have been really busy with the new shop and thanks to word of mouth, sales are going great! In fact, I have even decided to have a website created for the store. Would you be interested in creating the site for me? As you know, my store sells handmade silver jewelry. I have extended the range of products to include other handmade items like ceramic figurines. I want the site to really capture the feeling of the store, which as you probably remember is kind of exotic, with souvenirs from my travels around the world.  Since I update my merchandise regularly, the site will need to reflect that. I have recently bought a very high quality camera and some studio equipment so I am able to photograph the products myself. I just need you to set the site up and upload new photographs as they become available. Do you think you can do this? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Of course, I don’t expect you to work for free; you’ll have to charge me what you would charge any client, regardless of our friendship. I am really excited for this new adventure. I hope to hear from you soon! Love, Jane

Feedback on Sample Task 1 Informal Letter

Based on task 1 writing band descriptors, this informal letter to a friend would get a band score of 9 in each criterion. Why?

• Task Achievement: Covers all bullet points with a fully developed response; the informal register is correct; nothing should be added or taken out
• Coherence and Cohesion: Appropriate paragraphing; seamless cohesion that does not attract attention. The organization of information in each paragraph is logical.
• Lexical Resource: Natural, good range of sophisticated vocabulary (word of mouth, range of products, ceramic figurines, charge any client), accurate use of phrasal verbs ( set the site up )
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures used flexibly and accurately (dependent clauses, relative clauses, modal verbs, correct punctuation)

Take a look at an example of a similar topic but written as a formal letter:

Band 9 Sample Formal letter for Writing Task 1

Write a letter to a company to ask about having them develop a website for your business. In your letter:

• Explain what you’d like to be there on the website

Sample answer

Dear Mr. Glazer, I am writing with regard to your services as a website designer. I have recently seen numerous samples of your work and I would like to enquire about utilizing your services for my new website. I am a jewelry designer and proprietor of a retail business selling my creations. The designs, as well as the store, have an image that has been called “exotic,” by many customers. For this reason, I would like the website to reflect this characterization. One challenge that I foresee with the site is that it must be updated regularly. This is because I frequently create new designs that must be visible to existing and potential customers. I possess some studio equipment, therefore, I am capable of photographing the items myself. However, I would like you to design the site and then upload new content regularly. I would like to you to provide me an offer, including prices by email. I am available at the above phone number to answer further questions or for clarifications, you may need. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely yours , Jane Hart

Feedback on Sample Task 1 Formal Letter

Based on task 1 writing band descriptors, this formal letter would get an IELTS band score  of 9 in each criterion.

• Language : Informal to Formal: The formal letter sample above takes many of the same ideas as the informal version but uses formal constructions and vocabulary to make the letter seem more professional.

Example: Would you be interested in creating the site for me? -> I would like to enquire about utilizing your services for my new website I want the site to really capture the feeling of the store. -> For this reason, I would like the website to reflect this characterization. I have recently bought a very high-quality camera and some studio equipment so I am able to photograph the products myself. -> I possess some studio equipment, therefore, I am capable of photographing the items myself. Notice also that the first paragraph of the formal letter contains the purpose of the letter ( I would like to enquire about utilizing your services for my new website)  while the first paragraph of the informal letter contains mostly pleasantries. The next model letter is an informal letter asking for information.

Band 9 Sample letter for Writing Task 1

Write a letter to your friend who lives in a different country about your plan to work overseas. In your letter explain:

• What jobs do you plan to do?
• Why do you want to work overseas?
• Ask for some information related to jobs, such as salary, working hours and so on

Dear John, How are you? How are Melody and Emily? I hope everything is going well. I wanted to write you about some plans I have and I was hoping you could help. Ever since I visited you last fall, I cannot stop thinking about how much I love Greece and how I would like to spend some more time there. So, I have decided to move there for a year! As you know, I have a degree in English so, I thought I could teach English as a foreign language. This experience will be great for my career since international experience is a highly sought qualification. If that is not possible, perhaps I could work for a family as a nanny. You know I love to work with kids so I would be happy in that kind of setting too. Could you give me some information about how easy it would be for me to get a job there? Also, what are salaries like there in both professions? Would the money be able to cover housing and living expenses? I have read that nannies have irregular hours, sometimes even 7 days a week, but what about teachers? Do they have day or evening hours? I am hoping to make the move this coming fall so any insights you could give me would be great. I am really excited about this and can’t wait to be closer to you and your family! Talk soon! Love, Anna Notice in the above IELTS task 1 letter how the bullet points have been organized in the answer. The first paragraph is the opening with pleasantries and the letter’s purpose. The second paragraph covers bullet points 1 and 2 while the third paragraph corresponds to the third bullet. The last paragraph is a friendly closing.

Band 9 Sample Semi-Formal letter for Writing Task 1

One type of IELTS letter that confuses many students is the semi-formal letter. These are letters that may resemble a formal letter but there may be some elements throughout the answer that are informal. You recently completed a course and you borrowed a book from your teacher which you couldn’t return in time. You would like to return the book now. Write a letter to your teacher and say:

• What book was it?
• How helpful was the book?
• Explain why you couldn’t return it in time.

Dear Mr. Rice, I hope you are well. I am writing to thank you for lending me your copy of Practical English Usage and tell you how helpful it has been. Although our course ended last week, I would like to arrange a date and time to return the book to you. You referred to this book often during our English classes but I was unable to secure a copy from our local bookstore. So, your offer to lend me the book to study from has been very gracious. You were absolutely right when you said the book covers every grammar point that many grammar books fail to address. I have found many answers to questions I had about English so I feel like this book has been a blessing! I am so sorry I couldn’t return the book to you before our course ended but my roommate accidentally took my backpack on a weekend trip with him and the book was inside the bag!! Imagine my shock! Fortunately, he – and the book- have returned so I would like to give it back to you. Please let me know what day this week is convenient for me to stop by the school to bring you the book. Thank you once again! Sincerely, Juan Diaz

Feedback on Sample Task 1 Semi-formal Letter

This IELTS task 1 letter is considered semi-formal because it combines a variety of formal and informal elements. Why should it be semi-formal? The person you are writing to (teacher) is someone who requires respect and some formality but not as much as someone you don’t know. Below is an example of formal language: Although our course has ended, I would like to arrange a date and time to return the book to you. Here is an example of informal language: I am so sorry I couldn’t return the book to you before our course ended There are also some examples of language that are neither formal nor informal but feel a little more personal. These would not be appropriate in a formal letter. Examples: I hope you are well So, your offer to lend me the book to study from has been very gracious I feel like this book has been a blessing

The decision to use the opening  “Dear Mr. Rice” is appropriate in a semi-formal letter.  “Dear Sir”  would be too formal but to use the teacher’s first name would be too informal. Bullet points A separate bullet point is developed in each of the paragraphs. The first paragraph also includes pleasantries and the purpose of the letter. The semi-formal letter ends with a warm closing and an appropriate sign-off. Sign up for an  essay correction with us and have our team of IELTS experts correct an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of your choice.   Take a look at our resources for more:

• IELTS general writing task 1: letter samples, phrases and tips
• How to Plan and Write IELTS Task 1 Informal Letters in 20 Minutes
• General task 1 sample letters .
• IELTS sample band 9 letter: a complaint
• IELTS Sample Letter: an invitation
• Sample general Task 1 letter
• An ex-examiner reviews a Task 1 informal letter
• IELTS Writing General Task 1