Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-12

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called 'The book that influenced me most'.

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter

- describe what this book was about
- explain how this book influenced you
- say whether this book would be likely to influence other people

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to let you know about the book that influenced me the most. I have read many of your books but the book from which I got the motivation was the autobiography of APJ Abdul kalam. This book literally gave the indetail information about how he struggled during his teenage and what different experiences he had regarding the education system at that time. Although, with a fewer technology at that time, he somehow managed to work hard to upbring the knowledge nourishment for all the people of India. Even though being from a poor family, he never had any kind of attitude or negative enrichment in his way of treating children. The book also mentions about all his achievements and develpoment he did for his country. Additionally, it is also written that being the Prime Miniter of India for few period of time, he was also a great scientist. Moreover, he was also awarded with many medals such as Padmashri from the President of India. There was a lot things about him in that book but mainly his hardwork, positive attitude towards his goal and the development for children was more influencing for me.

It would for sure likely influence other people also if they sit and show their intrest in reading the books and also have the eagerness of learning about one of the great scientist of India. I am recommending this book to many of my friends. Thank you.

Your regards,

Chris

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three points: it identifies Kalam’s autobiography, describes its focus on his struggles, education and achievements, and explains that his hard work and positive attitude influenced you. You also recommend it to friends and say it could influence other readers. These relevant details meet the task well. To make the response more fully developed, explain more specifically how the book changed your own choices or behaviour; the influence is currently described mainly as motivation and admiration. The claim that readers need to “sit and show” interest is also broad and does not explain which readers might benefit or why. The salutation and closing are appropriate, though “Dear Sir or Madam” would match the requested opening more closely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally coherent sequence: it introduces the book, gives information about its subject and influence, then comments on its effect on other people. The paragraph break helps distinguish your personal response from your recommendation. However, the first paragraph contains many details in one long block, and the repeated transitions “Although,” “Even though,” “Additionally” and “Moreover” make the connections feel somewhat mechanical. Some references are also unclear, such as “the development for children,” which makes it harder to follow the exact point. Group the book’s contents together, then explain your personal influence in a separate paragraph, using clearer links between ideas rather than adding a transition to each sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “autobiography,” “achievements,” “positive attitude” and “motivation,” so the main message is clear. There are also attempts at less common expressions, but several are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “indetail information,” “negative enrichment,” “knowledge nourishment” and “development for children.” Spelling errors such as “develpoment,” “Miniter” and “intrest” also reduce accuracy. Choose familiar, precise collocations rather than forcing elaborate phrases: for example, describe his “struggles and experiences,” his “commitment to education,” and his “contributions to his country.” This would make your vocabulary more natural and precise while retaining the range you are attempting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses beginning with “Although” and “Even though,” and the overall meaning remains understandable. Some grammatical errors occur, however. “Although, with a fewer technology” has an incorrect article and count form, while “being the Prime Minister of India for few period of time” needs a clearer grammatical construction and article use. In “There was a lot things,” the plural noun requires a different quantifier. The long sentence beginning “Although” is also awkwardly joined to the following idea. Review articles, singular and plural forms, and sentence boundaries, and aim to make complex sentences complete and controlled.

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