Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-12
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 6.5)
Dear Mr. James,
Being an immediate neigbour of yours, I am writing this letter to inform you regarding few difficulties that have been impeding my way to concentrate in studies and get a sound sleep.
I would like to mention that my university examinations are due next week, and as you might know that I hold a position of software engineer which allows me to study only at night due to the occupied schedule during the day. What causes the hindrance is the loud music being played at your home every late night. It not only distracts me from studying adequately, but also deterioates the quality of my sleep, turning my next day to a lethargic one.
Could you please reduce the volume of music to a certain level so as it does not disturb my examination preparation? If you cooperate, it would be
really aidful for me. And yes, I do not have any objections during the day, you and your family can enjoy at that time in whatever way you want.
Looking forward to get heard.
Yours faithfully,
Emily Smith.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response successfully covers all three bullet points required for a general task 1 letter. You clearly explain the problem (loud music late at night), why it causes difficulties (upcoming university exams combined with a demanding software engineering schedule during the day resulting in a lack of sleep and distraction), and what action you would like them to take (reduce the volume of the music). The tone is generally appropriate for a letter of complaint to a neighbour, maintaining politeness while firmly stating the issue. The purpose of the letter is immediately clear and sustained throughout the writing, fully satisfying the requirements for this band level without any major omissions.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The letter is logically organised with clear paragraphing, moving smoothly from a polite opening to the statement of the problem, the proposed solution, and a courteous closing. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'Being an immediate neighbour', 'What causes the hindrance', and 'If you cooperate'. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical, such as 'And yes, I do not have any objections during the day', which feels a bit conversational and abrupt for written correspondence. Overall, the progression of ideas is easy to follow, and the formatting adheres to standard formal or semi-formal letter conventions.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message with adequate flexibility and precision. Phrases such as 'impeding my way to concentrate', 'occupied schedule', and 'examination preparation' show a good attempt at less common lexical items. However, there are a few noticeable collocation errors and awkward word choices, such as 'inform you regarding few difficulties' (instead of 'regarding a few difficulties' or 'informing you of some difficulties'), 'deterioates' (spelling error for 'deteriorates'), and 'really aidful' (which is not standard English; 'helpful' or 'beneficial' would be more appropriate). Despite these occasional slips, communication is never impeded.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response features a satisfactory mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures ('If you cooperate, it would be really aidful for me') and relative clauses. You demonstrate good overall control of punctuation and sentence boundaries. However, several grammatical errors persist, including 'regarding few difficulties' (missing article), 'concentrate in studies' (incorrect preposition; 'concentrate on studies'), and 'Looking forward to get heard' (incorrect gerund/infinitive usage; 'hearing from you' or 'looking forward to hearing you out'). While these errors do not impede understanding, their frequency prevents the writing from achieving a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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