Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-10-16

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 5.5)

Dear Mr Smith,

I am writing you to complain about mid night noise of music coming from your apartment . From past few days a loud noise of television and hooting is distracting me in my studies .

I am working and studing ,it is affecting my sleep and working schedule. I am unable to concentrate on my studies due to heavy noises comimg from your flat , along with this my sleeping schedule has been impacted due to which i am having several health issues.

I Request you to keep your music voulume down at night so it do not affects other people schedule .

Yours Faithfully,

Lovepreet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the central problem—late-night noise—and explain that it affects your studies, sleep, and health. You also make a clear request for the neighbours to lower the music volume. However, the response addresses the task only partially because these points are stated briefly and are not developed with details, such as when the noise occurs or how it disrupts exam preparation. The request could also be more specific and courteous. The response contains 110 words, so it does not meet the required minimum of 150; this limits the opportunity to explain the situation fully. Add relevant detail about the impact and a clear, practical request, while keeping the letter focused.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable structure: a greeting, an opening complaint, an explanation of the effects, a request, and a sign-off. This makes the main purpose easy to follow. The ideas are grouped into paragraphs, and phrases such as “along with this” show an attempt to connect related points. However, the progression is quite abrupt, and the second paragraph combines several effects without clearly developing their relationship. The linking phrase is also somewhat mechanical. A clearer sequence—describe the noise, explain its effects, then make the request—would strengthen the flow. Use a few natural transitions and ensure each paragraph has one clear function.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “distracting,” “concentrate,” “sleeping schedule,” and “health issues,” so the reader can understand the complaint. However, the range is limited and some word choices or spellings reduce accuracy and naturalness. For example, “mid night noise” is better expressed as “late-night noise,” while “heavy noises” is not a natural collocation here; “loud noise” or “excessive noise” would be clearer. There are also spelling errors such as “studing,” “comimg,” and “voulume.” Aim to use a wider range of precise phrases for the disturbance and its effects, and proofread spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The letter communicates its main points using mostly simple sentence patterns, with an attempt at a longer sentence in “I am unable to concentrate … along with this my sleeping schedule has been impacted.” However, this sentence joins ideas awkwardly and needs clearer punctuation or a conjunction. There are frequent errors in sentence construction and agreement, including “I am writing you” (write to someone), “it do not affects” (it does not affect), and “I Request” (the pronoun should not be capitalised). Spaces before punctuation and inconsistent capitalisation also affect accuracy. Practise accurate simple sentences first, then combine ideas with correctly formed clauses and punctuation.

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

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