Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have a problem in your apartment that needs repairs.

Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter
• describe the problem.
• say what you think should be done about it.
• ask the building manager to visit your apartment to see the problem.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Dear Mr James,

I am writing to report an issue regarding the tape leaking in the washroom and the mouse infestation in my apartment, and I have been coping with this problem for about a month now.

Firstly, I would suggest you should do thorough investigation that what causes leakge, as it seems like pipeline system issue that might have affected it. Secondly, if you are able to find the problem, I would recommend to install heavy PVC pipes which further help to water le aking in future as well. For to controll rats, please try to put the fillers at the back of the stove and in the corner of heating areas that will surely stop the infestation of mouse.

For the above maintainance, I prefer if you can come in the evening time after 6:00 pm. At this time I am at home after work and best to discuss before we proceed for the above mentioned problems.

Than you for your attention and if you need more information please call me.

Sincerely,

Hamza

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all three bullet points required by the task prompt. The student describes the problems clearly, mentioning both a leaking tape in the washroom and a mouse infestation. Furthermore, recommendations are made on what should be done, such as installing heavy PVC pipes and using fillers behind the stove. Finally, the student asks the building manager to visit the apartment, specifically suggesting a time in the evening after 6:00 pm. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a building manager. Although there are some minor linguistic slips and slightly unnatural phrasings, all parts of the task are adequately addressed, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter has a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical progression from introducing the problems, suggesting solutions, requesting a visit, and offering thanks. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different points, such as separating the description and solutions into the second paragraph and the visit request into the third paragraph. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'For the above maintenance', although some transitions feel slightly mechanical or forced (e.g., 'For to controll rats'). Referencing is generally clear, and the letter reads well as a coherent whole, fitting the Band 6.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully communicating ideas related to household repairs and pest control (e.g., 'infestation', 'thorough investigation', 'pipeline system'). However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'tape leaking' instead of 'tap leaking', 'leakge' (spelling error), 'water le aking', and 'maintainance' (spelling error). While these errors do not impede overall communication, they prevent the lexical score from reaching higher bands. The student attempts some less common vocabulary with mixed success, placing this firmly at a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some command of subordinate clauses and conditional structures (e.g., 'if you are able to find the problem, I would recommend...'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'I would suggest you should do thorough investigation that what causes leakge', 'For to controll rats', and 'At this time I am at home after work and best to discuss'. Punctuation and articles are occasionally mishandled. These errors cause some distraction and require the reader to occasionally pause, aligning well with the Band 5.5 descriptors.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.