Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-04

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 5.5)

Dear Mrs.Sachini,

Sachini, I think you are doing well. I am writing you to inform about some bad experience. I am frequently bothering by noice from your apartment. I have experienced that situation mostly in the mornings and nights. I think that loud sound come from your radio. Even your foot steps can hear clearly.

I think that we all have a right to live at their home freely. Anyone can not argue about someone's freedom. But unfortunately the noice come from my upstair is always feel uncomfortable for me. I am unable to focus my mind for my studies because of that sounds.My brother complained me that he can not focus for his works too.

I think you will understand that situation and will take right actions for reslove that problem. Could you please put volume down when you switch on your radio. That is the best solution I think. Please consern about that matter.

Thank You.

Yours sincerely.

Nish.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three required points: you describe noise from the radio and footsteps, explain that it disrupts your studies and your brother’s work, and request that your neighbour lower the radio volume. These details make the complaint relevant and understandable. However, the situation and its effects are not developed equally: the noise is said to occur “mostly in the mornings and nights,” but you give little detail about how often it happens or what makes those times especially difficult. The proposed solution is also quite narrow, focusing only on the radio when footsteps are mentioned too. To strengthen the response, explain the impact more specifically and suggest a considerate way to address both sources of noise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The message follows a generally sensible order: it introduces the complaint, explains its effect, and then makes a request. Paragraph breaks help distinguish these stages, and phrases such as “because of that” connect the noise to its consequences. However, some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Sachini, I think you are doing well” repeats the addressee immediately after the greeting, while “But unfortunately” introduces a contrast that is not fully clear after the general statement about everyone’s rights. The closing is also split into short fragments. Use a more direct opening, clearer transitions between the situation and its impact, and a conventional closing to make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough relevant vocabulary to communicate the main complaint, including “loud sound,” “foot steps,” “focus,” and “solution.” The reader can identify the sources of noise and the effect on your household. However, the range is limited and several noticeable spelling or word-choice errors make the letter less natural, such as “noice,” “upstair,” “reslove,” and “consern.” Some phrases are also imprecise: “bad experience” is vague for an ongoing disturbance, and “put volume down” is not the natural collocation. Build a more precise set of phrases for describing noise and its impact, and check spelling and collocations carefully before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The letter includes simple statements and attempts at more complex sentences, such as “I think that we all have a right to live at their home freely” and “I think you will understand that situation and will take right actions.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “I am frequently bothering by noise,” where the passive form is incorrect, and “Even your foot steps can hear clearly,” which needs a subject and a passive construction. There are also problems with agreement and sentence structure in “the noise … is always feel uncomfortable for me.” Practise forming passive sentences and checking subject–verb patterns; clearer, accurate sentence structures will make your request more effective.

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

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