Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You let a friend stay at your apartment while you were away on a trip. When you returned home, you discovered that a valuable possession was broken.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• describe the broken possession.
• explain why it is important to you.
• explain what you would like your friend to do.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear John,

Honestly, I am unhappy! I just got back from my trip to Lagos, only to find out that you broke my PlayStation 5 that's so precious to me. I allowed you stay in my apartment for a while, because you complained you needed a temporary place to stay. But suddenly, I returned home to find out my PS5 is broken.

Asides from the fact that this game costs a fortune, I saved up pretty hard for it. Not only did the game console shatter, I found that the hard drive was missing. This game was what keeps me company whenever I come back from work. I use it to keep myself engaged, which you know about.

I'd like you to get a new one because I really enjoy playing games when I am less busy. Also, If you find it difficult buying a new one, reach out to me with whatever sum you can come up with.

Please do well to write me back on whatever you decide.

Best wishes,

Roland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three requirements: you identify the broken PlayStation 5 and missing hard drive, explain that you saved for it and use it for company after work, and ask John to replace it or contribute what he can. Your position is clear throughout, and the personal details make the complaint relevant. The explanation of its importance is supported, although “This game was what keeps me company” could be developed more specifically—for example, by explaining how long you have owned it or why it is especially meaningful. The requested action is also clear, but a more tactful explanation of how you would agree on a contribution would make the request feel more fully considered.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter has a clear progression: you explain what you found, describe the console’s value to you, and then state what you want John to do. The paragraph breaks support these stages, and links such as “Not only” and “Also” help connect related points. The opening paragraph, however, repeats the discovery that the PS5 is broken, so the progression could be more economical. Some references are also slightly unclear: “this game” refers to the console, while “the game console” and “my PS5” name the same item in different ways. Use consistent references and reserve each paragraph for a distinct purpose to make the organisation feel more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary to explain the situation and your feelings, including “precious,” “saved up,” “shatter,” and “engaged.” These choices communicate the main points, and the reader can understand the complaint. However, some expressions are imprecise or unnatural: a PlayStation is a “console,” not a “game,” and “Asides from the fact” and “reach out to me with whatever sum” are awkward in this context. “I am unhappy!” is also quite blunt for a letter to a friend. More precise collocations and a consistently appropriate tone would improve flexibility and control. Check word forms and phrasing so that your vocabulary sounds natural as well as expressive.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex structures, including “only to find out that…” and “because you complained you needed…”. Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, and the conditional sentence beginning “If you find it difficult…” shows an attempt to express a more nuanced request. Some grammatical errors remain, such as “I allowed you stay” instead of “I allowed you to stay,” and “This game was what keeps me company,” where the tense shifts awkwardly. Capitalisation is inconsistent in “If” after “Also,” and the exclamation mark in the opening is not well controlled for this letter. Review verb forms and infinitive patterns, while aiming for more consistently accurate complex sentences.

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

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