Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-26

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 have recieved your email in which I was asked about the book that had a positive influence on me.

There are number of books which I want to recommend but the most influencial book, worth mentioning is "Rich Dad and Poor Dad". Not only does this book explain valuable lessons with some real life examples but it also encourages the readers how through determination and persiverance, one can achieve glory in life. The author has explained success stories of famous bussinesmen and leaders while using simple words that stuck with mind on first read and my mind keeps on recalling those examples whwnever I face challenging situations in life. Due to all these reasons, I find this book influencial.

I beleive other people will definetly get influence by it as it is easy to complete. Therefore, I would strongly recommend this book to add in your article.

Best regards, Zohaib

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three points: you identify the book, describe its lessons and examples, and explain that it influenced your thinking in challenging situations. You also give a clear recommendation to the editor. However, the description of the book remains broad: “valuable lessons” and stories of successful people do not explain much about its specific subject or message. The influence is more personal, but could be developed with one concrete example of a decision or change in your life. Your prediction that others would be influenced because the book is “easy to complete” is also not fully explained. Adding specific details to these points would make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall sequence: you respond to the invitation, introduce the book, explain its effect, and finish with a recommendation. Linking phrases such as “Not only… but it also” and “Due to all these reasons” help connect ideas, and the closing is appropriate. The progression is generally easy to follow, though the central paragraph contains several ideas in one long sentence, making the book’s content and its personal influence less distinct. The transition from your own experience to the claim about other readers is also abrupt. Separate the main points into shorter paragraphs and use a clearer link to explain why the book might affect a wider audience.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a suitable range of vocabulary for the topic, including “determination,” “perseverance,” “challenging situations,” and “recommend.” These choices communicate your enthusiasm and the book’s perceived value. However, several spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural expressions reduce accuracy, including “influencial,” “bussinesmen,” “stuck with mind,” and “get influence by it.” The repeated use of “influence” also limits variety. Aim for accurate spelling and more natural collocations, such as describing lessons as memorable or saying that readers may be inspired by the book. This would make your vocabulary more precise while retaining the clear, accessible style appropriate for a letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex structures, including the inversion in “Not only does this book explain…” and a subordinate clause beginning “whenever I face challenging situations.” The meaning is generally clear, and errors rarely prevent understanding. Some grammatical patterns need more control: “There are number of books” is missing an article, “encourages the readers how” uses an incorrect construction, and “recommend this book to add in your article” is not formed naturally. The long sentence about the author’s examples and your response to them also makes the relationships between clauses harder to follow. Practise article use and verb patterns, and divide complex ideas into clearer sentences.

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