Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-28
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
You rent a flat from an accommodation agency. Your neighbour who rents their flat from the same agency plays very loud video games late at night.
Write a letter to the accommodation agency. In your letter
explain when the problem began
describe how the noise affects you
say what you would like the agency to do
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear sir
I hope this letter finds you well
My name is George and I'm one of your customer. Recently, I purchased a room from your website and I'm living here since April. At the start,everything was going well and the overall experience was fair. I'm facing a serious problem these days and I want to highlight your attention on this imboglio.
As I'm a newbie here in this town and I don't have compatible fellows here so I try to stay in my room and reading novels has become one of my favorite things to do. I like this reclusive lifestyle and I firmly believe I can't tolerate unnecessary human interaction.
From last week, there's a person he's just shifted here and I don't know much about it. He likes to listen music very loudly and this is the main reason why I'm facing trouble. I would be highly grateful if you take any action to solve this problem.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The letter identifies a noise problem and asks the agency to take action, so the reader can understand the general purpose. However, the task is only partially addressed: the noise is described as loud music rather than loud video games, and the effect on you is not explained. The background about being new to town, preferring solitude, and reading novels takes up space without showing how the noise disrupts sleep, concentration, or daily life. The timing is also unclear: “From last week” appears to refer to when the neighbour arrived, but you should state directly when the gaming noise began. To strengthen the response, cover each bullet explicitly and request a specific step, such as contacting the neighbour or enforcing quiet hours.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
There is some organisation: the opening introduces you and the problem, and the final paragraph turns to the neighbour and your request. Basic linking phrases such as “Recently,” “At the start,” and “From last week” help signal time. However, the progression is not consistently focused. The long paragraph about your reclusive lifestyle interrupts the central account of the noise, and the relationship between that background and the complaint is not made clear. Some references are also difficult to follow, particularly “there’s a person he’s just shifted here.” Group the letter into a brief introduction, a focused description of when the noise began and its effects, and a clear request. Use direct links between these points rather than unrelated personal details.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You attempt a range of vocabulary, including “serious problem,” “overall experience,” and “highly grateful,” and the main complaint remains understandable. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this context: “purchased a room” suggests buying rather than renting, “highlight your attention” is not the usual expression, and “imboglio” does not communicate the intended meaning. “Compatible fellows” and “reclusive lifestyle” also sound awkward or overly elaborate in a formal complaint. Aim for precise, natural phrases such as “renting a flat,” “bring this issue to your attention,” and “the noise is disturbing me.” More accurate collocations would make the letter clearer and more appropriately formal.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response includes both simple sentences and attempts at longer structures, for example, “At the start, everything was going well” and “I would be highly grateful if you take any action.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and verb forms reduce accuracy. In “I'm one of your customer,” the noun should be plural; “I'm living here since April” needs a tense that expresses an ongoing situation; and “there's a person he's just shifted here” combines clauses incorrectly. The request also needs a suitable verb form after “if.” Use complete, clearly separated sentences and check agreement, tense, and clause structure. These corrections would make the complaint easier to read without changing its meaning.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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