Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 6.0)

Dear Mia,

Where have you been? I was eagrly waiting for you response where I asked you about your future study plans. Anyways, I just got your letter and I felt so overwhelming, finding about your admission in same University where I studied. I know it was your dream institute and I am glad that finally a bookworm will leave her comfirt zone and will experience new things.

As you asked about the accommodation, I would recommend university hostel for initial couple of months. Hence, it may quite expenssive but better alternative untill you will find a part time job and get familiar with the new environment, without worring about preparing food and options for commuting. After that, you can find a shared studio appartment nearby, which is more affordable option and you will get your privacy and own space to study peacefully. For that, Dubzill and FindHome applications are more helpful.

Moreover, do not focuss on excessive part time work load, remember you will be there for studies not for earning money from basic jobs. Those are just side incomes to help you out for fulfilling your basic requirements. This is the common mistake made by all new students.

I can't wait to see you. Ping me if you need anything.

Regards,

Prutha

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three main points: you recommend staying in a university hostel initially, suggest looking for a shared studio through named apps, and warn Mia about prioritising part-time work over study. However, the first requirement is not really answered: you do not describe where you lived as a student or what that accommodation was like. The warning is also somewhat narrow, focusing on work rather than common accommodation-selection mistakes such as choosing without checking the location, costs, or conditions. Your advice is relevant, but some points need clearer explanation and development. To strengthen the response, briefly describe your own student housing and give Mia a specific checklist of what to verify before committing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The email has a recognisable structure, moving from a friendly opening to accommodation advice, a warning, and a closing. Paragraphing helps separate the main ideas, and phrases such as “After that” and “Moreover” signal progression. Overall, the message is easy to follow. Some connections are less clear or feel mechanical, however: “Hence” does not naturally introduce the hostel’s expense, and “For that” has an unclear reference because it could refer to finding a studio or to the preceding advice. The opening also spends considerable space on catching up before reaching the requested information. Use simpler, more precise links and make each paragraph’s purpose explicit to improve the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for a friendly email, including relevant terms such as “university hostel,” “shared studio apartment,” “commuting,” and “side incomes.” The tone is generally warm and informal, which suits writing to a friend. There are, however, several spelling errors and inaccurate or unnatural word choices, including “eagrly,” “comfirt zone,” “expenssive,” and “worring.” Some phrases are also awkward, such as “I felt so overwhelming” and “fulfilling your basic requirements.” These do not prevent the reader from understanding your main advice, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Proofread spelling and choose more idiomatic expressions, for example, “I was delighted to hear” and “covering your basic expenses.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including longer sentences that explain the reasons for your advice, and the main message remains understandable. Some grammatical errors occur, particularly in verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “I felt so overwhelming” needs a different adjective form, while “it may quite expensive” is missing a verb. The phrase “until you will find a part time job” uses an unsuitable future form after “until,” and “in same University” needs an article. The sentence beginning “Hence” also joins ideas awkwardly. Review these patterns and break long sentences into clearer units. More consistently accurate basic structures would make your advice easier to read.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.