Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-09

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/Madam,

I hope you are doing well. I recently read a book written by an editor named John Moretti, a wise man. This book was about a person who go thorough up and downs in his life after coming in another nation and how that person tackles and solves all of his problems wisely.

However, I came to Canada last year, and I can relate to this character, not only me, but many international students can relate to this book since, pupils go through hardships like, loneliness, communication barrier and boredom. after going through this book i learned how to be calm and collected in difficult situations.

Moreover, not only will this book influence but will motivate people especially young generation who are currently away from their motherland to work, despite being alone. They will feel more motivated and will focus on their mental health as well as physical health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: describing the book, explaining its influence, and discussing its potential impact on others. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the description of the book is quite vague, focusing on general themes rather than specific plot points or unique elements. While the personal influence is mentioned, it could be expanded with more concrete examples of how the book changed your perspective. The tone is appropriate for a magazine contribution, and the purpose is clear throughout. To improve, aim to provide more specific details about the book's content and a deeper reflection on your personal growth to fully satisfy the requirements for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into three distinct paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. There is a logical progression from the introduction of the book to its personal impact and finally its broader appeal. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, the transition 'Moreover' is used, but the connection between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. Some referencing is slightly unclear, such as 'this book' being used repeatedly without varied synonyms. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that ideas flow more naturally between sentences would enhance the overall coherence of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the message to be conveyed clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'international students', 'communication barrier', and 'calm and collected'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'go thorough up and downs' (should be 'goes through ups and downs') and 'coming in another nation' (should be 'moving to another country'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on learning more precise collocations and idiomatic expressions that fit the context of discussing personal development and literature.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the quality of the writing. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('pupils go through... after going through this book i learned'), missing articles ('in another nation'), and awkward phrasing ('not only will this book influence but will motivate'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with capitalization and comma usage. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring that complex structures are used with greater accuracy and fewer errors.

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

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