Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-03

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The younger sister of one of your friends is thinking about spending a year studying abroad as part of her university course. You did this recently, and she has asked you about your experience.

Write a letter to your friend's sister. In your letter

• tell her where you studied during your year abroad

• describe what you learnt about the country you studied in

• explain why your year abroad was helpful for your studies

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear........,

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Dear Riya,

It was great to hear from your brother that you want to study abroad! Since I just did mine recently, I would love to tell you about my experience.

I studied at the University of Toronto in Canada. Living there taught me a lot about the local culture, especially how friendly the people are and how they enjoy their daily life. My English also got a lot better because I used it every day!

That year was really helpful for my university course. Studying my subjects in a different country taught me how to think differently and solve problems better. Plus, it gave me a lot of confidence and looks great on my CV.

Let me know if you want to grab a coffee soon. I can share some tips with you about applications and money!

Best,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the location (University of Toronto), the cultural learning (friendliness and daily life), and the academic benefits (problem-solving and confidence). However, the response is under the 150-word minimum requirement, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the content is relevant, it lacks the depth and detail expected at higher bands. To improve, you should expand on your experiences with more descriptive language and specific examples to ensure the task is fully developed rather than just briefly mentioned.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each bullet point, and a closing. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Since', 'especially', and 'Plus' are used to connect sentences, though the range of these devices is somewhat limited. The flow is generally smooth and easy to follow, but the brevity of the response limits the opportunity to demonstrate more sophisticated cohesive techniques.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing for clear communication. You use some natural phrases like 'grab a coffee' and 'looks great on my CV'. However, the range is somewhat basic and repetitive (e.g., 'taught me', 'really helpful'). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate a wider range of less common lexical items and demonstrate more precise control over collocations. The current vocabulary is functional but lacks the variety and sophistication required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to understand. You use a mix of simple and complex structures, such as 'Since I just did mine recently, I would love to tell you about my experience.' There are very few grammatical errors, and punctuation is handled correctly. To improve, try to incorporate a greater variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, to demonstrate a wider grammatical range while maintaining your current level of accuracy.

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

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