Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-28
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
Your friend has been offered a place on a course at the university where you studied. He/She would like your advice about finding a place to live.
Write an email to your friend. In your email
- describe where you lived when you were a student at the university
- recommend the best way for him/her to look for accommodation
- warn him/her of mistakes students make when choosing accommodation
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your email as follows:
Dear ..........,
Student answer (Band 6.5)
Dear Ramanuj,
I hope that you are in your best health. Recently, I found out that you got the offer from the same institute where I have studied. Also, you're looking for some good accommodation, I can suggest you the best I have found till now.
Firstly, "The Residence Tower" which is very close to the university, but lack some basic ammenities such as gym and swimming pool. Secondly, "Trumen" this is situated in the middle of the downtown, which includes everything but quite expensive than the first building. But, if you start to live here you will not like any other place. I can also refer you if you want.
I know it's tough to find a new place and I have been through that part. I would suggest you some good websites to start with is Find my house, Residence finder and my favourite one of all is Home finder as this gives you the up to date information and sometimes a very good offer as well.
Finally, I want to inform you regarding the scams which are going on right now. Don't do any verbal aggrement as well as never trust any broker blindly, because currently there are some people which show you a beautiful apartment, tell you about all the good stuff. But when you move in you will struck with the reality that not everything is legit. I would personally recommend you to double check eveything before signing anything. Let us meet very soon and don't hesitate to call me whenever you need any help.
Warm wishes,
Muttuswami Iyar.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The candidate has successfully covered all three bullet points required by the task prompt. Firstly, two specific accommodation options are described based on the writer's past experience ('The Residence Tower' and 'Trumen'). Secondly, practical recommendations are provided using specific website names ('Find my house, Residence finder and ... Home finder'). Finally, a clear warning regarding potential rental scams and verbal agreements is articulated. The tone is appropriately informal and friendly, fitting the general training letter format. All parts of the task are well-developed and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The email is logically organised with a clear beginning, middle, and end, following standard letter conventions. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different topics, such as accommodation options, websites, and warnings about scams. Cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Finally' are employed to sequence ideas clearly. Although referencing is occasionally slightly abrupt ('Trumen this is situated'), the overall progression of information flows naturally from greeting to closing. This performance aligns well with the Band 7 descriptor.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The candidate demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common items and phrasal attempts, such as 'accommodation', 'ammenities', 'aggrement', and 'legit'. There are some noticeable spelling errors, including 'ammenities' instead of 'amenities' and 'aggrement' instead of 'agreement'. However, the vocabulary used is adequate to convey the intended message clearly and flexibly enough to describe options and warn about scams. The lexical control sits comfortably at a Band 6.0 due to these minor spelling and word-choice inaccuracies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('which is very close to the university') and conditional forms ('if you start to live here'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation slips present, such as comma splices and tense inconsistencies ('where I have studied' instead of 'where I studied', 'lack some basic' instead of 'lacks some basic', and 'you will struck' instead of 'you will be struck'). Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede overall communication, supporting a solid Band 6.0 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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