Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-09

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You live in a small apartment building. You are frequently bothered by noise from your upstairs neighbour's apartment.

Write a letter to your neighbour. In your letter
• describe the situation.
• explain why it is a problem for you.
• suggest a solution.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Mr Taro,

I am writing to express my concern about the noise coming from your apartment every night. I am living in the lower unit of your apartment. My exams are going on but I could not concentrate because of frequent noise coming from your apartment.

In the evenings loud music is played and also the sound of footsteps as someone is dancing on the floor of your apartment. As I am living just below your apartment, footsteps during quiet hours sound like throwing hammers in wall. Even I am not having my sleep properly which eventually affecting my daily schedule.

I would be grateful if you could lower the sound of music during evenings and completely off at night during quiet hours. I hope we can resolve this matter amicably without any further complications.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Arsdhk Kshfi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address all three points: you describe nightly music and dancing footsteps, explain that the noise disrupts exam preparation and sleep, and request that the neighbour reduce the music and stop it at night. The purpose and polite tone are clear, and the details make the complaint relevant. However, the solution could be more fully developed—for example, suggest agreed quiet hours or ask the neighbour to use rugs to reduce footsteps. The response is also five words below the required minimum, so it does not meet the task’s length instruction. Adding a little more explanation or a practical suggestion would make the request more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression: it introduces the complaint, gives examples and explains the impact, then proposes a solution and closes politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish the situation from the request, while phrases such as “As I am living just below your apartment” connect the noise to its effect. The sequence is easy to follow, and the reader can understand the purpose throughout. To strengthen cohesion further, make the transition from the exam problem to the effect on sleep more deliberate, and avoid relying on repeated references to “your apartment” and “noise.” A slightly fuller closing paragraph could also reinforce the proposed arrangement.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for a neighbourly complaint, and phrases such as “express my concern,” “quiet hours,” and “resolve this matter amicably” show an attempt at appropriately formal language. The main meaning remains clear, but some word choices and collocations are awkward or imprecise. For example, “throwing hammers in wall” does not naturally describe loud footsteps, and “lower the sound of music” would be more idiomatic as “turn down the music.” “Completely off” is also unclear without a noun such as “turn it off.” Aim for natural, precise phrases rather than translating an image literally; this will make the letter sound more fluent and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex forms, including “I would be grateful if you could…” and the clause beginning “As I am living just below your apartment.” These structures help you explain both the problem and your request. Some grammatical errors remain, although they do not prevent understanding. For example, “I am living” is less suitable for a stable residence than “I live,” and “which eventually affecting my daily schedule” needs a finite verb, such as “which eventually affects my daily schedule.” The sentence about music and footsteps also needs clearer parallel structure. Review verb forms and clause construction, while continuing to use polite conditional requests.

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