Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-01

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Write a letter to the local council. In your letter

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to request that the government has recently decided to abolish the local center situated in our city.

Almost every member of society uses the center for recreation, including my friends and family. Living in a metropolitan area restricts us from having social gatherings on a regular basis; therefore, the center gives us a reason to have some quality time together.

It is to inform you that the center has a pivotal role in our community because it allows for regular interactions between people who are otherwise busy with their mundane lifestyles. For instance, many parents bring their children for sports and leisure activities and, in return, socialize with fellow parents. Consequently, society experiences a sense of community.

However, if the government closes the building, it will have deleterious effects on local people because it will remove the only recreational source for us. Moreover, everyone will get so busy with their lives that they will hardly meet each other.

I hope you will look into this matter and take prompt action.

Yours faithfully,

Iqra Fatima

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all three bullet points of the prompt effectively. You clearly explained how you use the centre, why it is important for the community, and the potential negative effects of its closure. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council. However, the opening sentence is slightly confusing; you state you are writing to 'request that the government has recently decided to abolish the local center,' which is logically contradictory. A more accurate opening would be to state that you are writing to express your concern regarding the proposed closure. Despite this minor issue, the ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is well-organised with a clear structure. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, and you use cohesive devices such as 'therefore', 'consequently', and 'moreover' to link your ideas. The progression of thought is logical, moving from personal usage to community impact and finally to the consequences of closure. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter. To reach a higher band, ensure that your transitions between sentences are even more natural, as some of the linking words feel slightly mechanical. Overall, the message is easy to follow and the flow is consistent.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including some sophisticated items such as 'pivotal', 'mundane', and 'deleterious'. These choices show an awareness of style appropriate for a formal complaint. There are no significant spelling errors, and your word choice is generally precise. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more idiomatic collocations or varied phrasal verbs could elevate the writing further. The current range is more than adequate for the task and conveys your meaning clearly and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Your control over grammar is generally strong, with few errors that impede communication. For example, the use of conditional structures ('if the government closes... it will have...') is accurate and well-placed. There are minor issues with phrasing, such as 'It is to inform you that...', which is slightly unnatural; a more standard opening would be 'I am writing to inform you that...'. However, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is used correctly throughout the letter.

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

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