Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-11-10
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
New neighbours have recently moved into the house/flat next door to where you live. You have examinations soon, but your neighbours play music late at night which is affecting your studies and sleep.
- explain what the problem is
- why it is causing you difficulties
- what action you would like them to take
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Dear Linda,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing you this letter to express the discomfort i have been experiencing since the past week. As our apartments are right next to each other, every night when you play your muscical instruments I am unable to sleep.
My finals week is approching soon and i have very extensive study sessions during the day time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5
You identify the central problem: the neighbours’ music at night prevents you from sleeping, and you explain that examinations are approaching and you need to study. These points are relevant, but the response addresses the task only partially. It does not explain in detail how the noise affects your studies or sleep, and it never states what action you want Linda to take, such as lowering the volume or stopping the music after a certain time. The letter also ends without a request or closing. Most importantly, the response is 66 words, below the required 150, so there is not enough development to cover all three bullet points. Add specific effects and a polite, clear request.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The letter has a recognisable opening and a basic sequence: you introduce the problem, then mention your upcoming finals and study sessions. The connection between these ideas is understandable, and the greeting helps establish the letter format. However, the response is very brief and stops before the message reaches a clear conclusion, so there is no complete progression from explaining the problem to making a request. The second paragraph is also only one sentence, and the relationship between daytime study and nighttime noise could be made more explicit. Develop the letter in separate paragraphs for the problem, its effects, and your requested solution, using simple links such as “As a result” and “Could you please…”.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use several relevant expressions, including “express the discomfort,” “unable to sleep,” and “extensive study sessions,” which communicate the situation and show some range beyond very basic vocabulary. The meaning is generally clear, but there are noticeable spelling and word-choice issues: “muscical” should be “musical,” and “approching” should be “approaching.” “Finals week” may also sound less natural in this context than “my exams are coming up.” The phrase “express the discomfort” is understandable but slightly awkward for a polite neighbour letter. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and a wider set of precise terms for noise and its effects, such as “loud music,” “disturb my sleep,” and “concentrate on revision.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
You show some ability to combine ideas in a complex sentence: “As our apartments are right next to each other, every night when you play… I am unable to sleep.” The basic message is understandable, and the sentence forms are not limited entirely to simple statements. However, control is uneven. “I am writing you this letter” is missing the preposition “to” after “writing” in this construction; “I have been experiencing since the past week” uses an awkward time expression, and the lowercase “i” should be capitalised. The final sentence, “My finals week is approaching soon and I have very extensive study sessions during the day time,” would benefit from clearer grammatical phrasing and punctuation. Practise accurate time expressions and build a few varied sentences to explain cause and effect.
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