Date: October 06, 2026
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
Write at least 150 words.
You live in a room in college which you share with another student. However, there are many problems with this arrangement and you find it very difficult to work.
Write a letter to the accommodation officer at the college.
In your letter:
- describe the situation
- explain your problems and why it is difficult to work
- say what kind of accommodation you would prefer
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam
This prompt is a standard IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter. A strong response should address all three bullet points, maintain an appropriately formal tone, be at least 150 words, and organize the information logically.
Example of a Strong Response
Sample Answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to request a change to my current accommodation because I have been experiencing several difficulties while sharing a room with another student.
I am currently staying in a double room in the college residence. Although I understand that students are expected to respect one another’s schedules, my roommate and I have very different lifestyles. He frequently invites friends to our room in the evenings and often plays music or talks on the phone late at night. Despite my attempts to discuss the situation with him, these problems have continued.
This arrangement is making it extremely difficult for me to concentrate on my studies. I have several important examinations approaching, and I usually need to study in the evenings. Unfortunately, the frequent noise and interruptions prevent me from working effectively. I am also finding it difficult to sleep properly, which affects my concentration during classes the following day.
I would therefore be grateful if I could be transferred to a single room, preferably in a quieter area of the residence. If no single rooms are currently available, I would also be willing to share with a student who has a similar study schedule.
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
Alex Morgan
Analysis Using IELTS Writing Assessment Criteria
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 is assessed according to four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each contributes equally to the Writing Task 1 score.
This response would be aiming at approximately the Band 8 range because it fully develops the task, maintains an appropriate formal register, and demonstrates strong control of vocabulary and grammar.
| Assessment Criterion | Why the Response Is Strong |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Fully addresses all three bullet points and establishes a clear purpose for writing. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Uses a logical paragraph structure, with each paragraph serving a specific purpose. |
| Lexical Resource | Uses varied, precise vocabulary appropriate to a formal accommodation complaint. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Uses a variety of simple and complex structures accurately and naturally. |
1. Task Achievement
The prompt gives the candidate three specific requirements, and a strong answer needs to cover all of them sufficiently.
The first two paragraphs establish that the writer shares a college room and is experiencing problems because the roommate has a substantially different lifestyle.
“He frequently invites friends to our room in the evenings and often plays music or talks on the phone late at night.”
The response therefore gives the accommodation officer enough detail to understand the problem rather than simply saying, “I do not like my roommate.”
The third paragraph directly connects the roommate’s behaviour to the writer’s academic work.
“Unfortunately, the frequent noise and interruptions prevent me from working effectively.”
It then develops the problem further by explaining that lack of sleep affects concentration in class. This is stronger than merely mentioning noise because it explains why the situation matters.
The final main paragraph makes a clear and realistic request.
“I would therefore be grateful if I could be transferred to a single room, preferably in a quieter area of the residence.”
It also provides a reasonable alternative—sharing with someone who has a similar study schedule.
This demonstrates good Task Achievement because the candidate has not merely mentioned all three bullet points; each has been developed with relevant supporting details.
2. Coherence and Cohesion
The letter follows a clear and logical progression.
- Opening: Immediately establishes the purpose of the letter by requesting a change of accommodation.
- Situation: Describes the current living arrangement and explains the problems involving the roommate.
- Consequences: Explains how the situation affects studying, sleeping, and concentration.
- Solution: Requests a single room and provides a reasonable alternative.
Finally, the closing politely asks the accommodation officer to consider the request.
The response also uses cohesive language naturally:
Importantly, these expressions establish meaningful relationships between ideas rather than simply being inserted as generic linking words.
3. Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is appropriate for both the subject and the recipient. Examples include:
There is also good variation. For example, the writer does not repeatedly use problem. Instead, the response refers to “difficulties,” “noise,” “interruptions,” and “the situation.”
The language is also formal without sounding unnecessarily complicated. For example:
“I would therefore be grateful if I could be transferred…”
This is more appropriate for an accommodation officer than:
“I want you to move me to another room.”
This control of register is particularly important in General Training Task 1 because candidates may be required to write formal, semi-formal, or informal letters depending on the recipient.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response demonstrates grammatical variety rather than relying entirely on short subject-verb sentences.
For example:
“Although I understand that students are expected to respect one another’s schedules, my roommate and I have very different lifestyles.”
This correctly uses a subordinate clause followed by a main clause.
Another example uses a relative clause:
“I am also finding it difficult to sleep properly, which affects my concentration during classes the following day.”
The response also handles conditional language appropriately:
“If no single rooms are currently available, I would also be willing to share with a student who has a similar study schedule.”
This demonstrates grammatical range while still sounding natural.
Why the Formal Style Is Appropriate
The relationship between the writer and the college accommodation officer is professional rather than personal. The response therefore avoids slang, casual expressions and contractions such as can’t, I’m and I’d.
The supplied salutation, “Dear Sir or Madam,” also requires the conventional formal closing “Yours faithfully,” because the recipient’s name is unknown.
The candidate should remain polite even though this is essentially a complaint. Expressions such as the following help maintain the appropriate register:
A Useful Structure for Students
For this type of IELTS General Training Task 1 question, students can use a simple four-part approach:
- Opening: State clearly why you are writing.
- Situation: Explain the relevant circumstances and first bullet point.
- Problem: Develop the problem and explain its consequences.
- Request: State exactly what action or alternative you would like.
The important point is that this should be treated as a framework rather than a memorized template. The details, vocabulary, tone, and requests should respond specifically to the prompt.
Key takeaway: A candidate does not receive a high score simply for exceeding 150 words. The stronger features here are that the response answers every part of the task, develops the important details, maintains the correct formal register, organizes information clearly, and demonstrates accurate and varied English.
Write about the following topic:
In Britain, when someone gets old they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the government has to pay for this care.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
This is an opinion essay. The candidate must establish a clear position on whether the government or families should be responsible for the cost of residential care for older people and then develop that position with relevant reasons and examples.
Example of a Strong Response
Model Answer
As people grow older, some require a level of medical and personal support that their relatives cannot provide at home. This raises the difficult question of whether families or the government should pay for residential care. In my view, responsibility should be shared, but the government should guarantee that every elderly person can receive appropriate care regardless of his or her family’s financial circumstances.
There are good reasons for expecting families to make some contribution. Relatives often have a personal responsibility for the well-being of elderly parents, particularly when they have sufficient financial resources. If the government paid the entire cost of residential care for everyone, including wealthy families, a considerable amount of public money would be spent on people who are capable of contributing themselves. A system in which financially secure families pay part of the cost could therefore reduce unnecessary pressure on public finances.
However, making families entirely responsible would be unfair and, in some cases, unrealistic. Professional residential care can be expensive, and not every family has enough income or savings to meet these costs. Adult children may already have mortgages, childcare expenses and other financial responsibilities. Furthermore, some elderly people have no close relatives who are able to support them. If access to care depended solely on family wealth, people with fewer financial resources could receive a much lower standard of support despite having the same medical needs as wealthier citizens.
For this reason, I believe the most practical solution is a system based on both public support and an individual’s ability to pay. For example, elderly people with substantial savings or families with considerable financial resources could contribute towards accommodation and living expenses. The government could then provide greater assistance to those who cannot reasonably afford the cost. This would allow public funding to be directed towards people who need it most while ensuring that essential care remains available to everyone.
In conclusion, families who can afford to contribute should reasonably be expected to do so, but financial circumstances should never prevent an elderly person from receiving necessary care. The government should therefore provide a guaranteed safety net, with contributions from individuals and families determined according to their ability to pay.
Analysis Using IELTS Writing Assessment Criteria
IELTS Writing Task 2 is assessed according to four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
This model response demonstrates features associated with a strong Band 8-level response. An actual IELTS band score is determined by an examiner evaluating the complete response, so a model answer should be viewed as an example of the characteristics candidates should aim to demonstrate rather than a guaranteed score.
| Assessment Criterion | Why the Response Is Strong |
|---|---|
| Task Response | Establishes a clear position, directly answers the question, develops relevant arguments, and supports them with explanations and examples. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Organizes ideas into a logical progression with clear paragraphing and controlled use of linking expressions. |
| Lexical Resource | Uses varied and precise vocabulary relating to elderly care, financial responsibility, public funding and social policy. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Uses a broad range of sentence structures, including conditional, subordinate and relative clauses, with strong grammatical control. |
1. Task Response
Task Response measures how effectively the candidate answers the question, develops a position, and supports the main ideas with relevant explanations and examples.
A Clear Position Is Established
The introduction directly answers the central question rather than simply repeating the topic:
“In my view, responsibility should be shared, but the government should guarantee that every elderly person can receive appropriate care regardless of his or her family’s financial circumstances.”
This establishes a nuanced but unambiguous position. The writer is not simply saying that both sides are important. The argument is that families who can afford to contribute should do so, while the government should remain ultimately responsible for ensuring access to necessary care.
The Position Is Developed
The essay considers why family contributions can be reasonable before explaining why families should not carry the entire financial burden. This allows the candidate to acknowledge another perspective while maintaining a consistent position.
“If the government paid the entire cost of residential care for everyone, including wealthy families, a considerable amount of public money would be spent on people who are capable of contributing themselves.”
The argument is then balanced by explaining the problem with placing complete responsibility on families:
“If access to care depended solely on family wealth, people with fewer financial resources could receive a much lower standard of support despite having the same medical needs as wealthier citizens.”
These ideas go beyond simply stating an opinion. They explain why the proposed approach would be fairer and more practical.
2. Coherence and Cohesion
A strong Task 2 essay should be easy to follow. Ideas should progress logically, paragraphs should have clear purposes, and linking expressions should connect ideas without being overused.
The model response follows a five-paragraph structure:
- Introduction: Introduces the issue and clearly states the writer’s position.
- Body Paragraph 1: Explains why financially capable families can reasonably be expected to contribute.
- Body Paragraph 2: Explains why making families entirely responsible would be unfair and impractical.
- Body Paragraph 3: Proposes a practical system combining family contributions with government support.
- Conclusion: Restates the central position without simply copying the introduction.
Cohesive expressions are used to show relationships between ideas:
These expressions are effective because they serve specific functions: contrast, addition, cause and effect, illustration, and conclusion. They are not inserted merely to make the essay appear more sophisticated.
3. Lexical Resource
Lexical Resource considers the candidate’s range, precision and control of vocabulary.
The essay uses vocabulary that is directly relevant to the issue:
The writer also avoids unnecessary repetition. Instead of repeatedly using the word pay, the response uses expressions such as “make some contribution,” “meet these costs,” “public funding,” “financial assistance,” and “ability to pay.”
This demonstrates vocabulary range while keeping the language natural and relevant to the argument.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A strong response should demonstrate control of both simple and complex grammatical structures. Complexity should help communicate ideas clearly rather than make sentences unnecessarily difficult to understand.
Conditional Structure
“If the government paid the entire cost of residential care for everyone, including wealthy families, a considerable amount of public money would be spent on people who are capable of contributing themselves.”
This conditional structure allows the writer to explain a hypothetical consequence clearly.
Complex Contrast
“The government could then provide greater assistance to those who cannot reasonably afford the cost.”
Modal verbs are used appropriately to discuss a proposed policy rather than presenting it incorrectly as an established fact.
Relative and Subordinate Clauses
“Furthermore, some elderly people have no close relatives who are able to support them.”
The response incorporates relative clauses, subordinate clauses, conditional sentences and compound structures while maintaining readability.
Why the Argument Is Effective
A common weakness in Task 2 essays is presenting several opinions without developing any of them sufficiently. This response instead follows a clear reasoning process.
- Claim: Families with sufficient resources can reasonably contribute to elderly care.
- Reason: Fully subsidizing wealthy families could place unnecessary pressure on public finances.
- Counterpoint: Many families cannot afford the full cost of professional residential care.
- Consequence: Making care dependent entirely on family wealth could create unequal access to necessary support.
- Solution: Government should guarantee access while contributions are determined according to financial ability.
This creates a connected argument rather than a collection of unrelated statements.
Why the Introduction Works
The introduction performs two important functions efficiently.
First, it paraphrases the subject:
“As people grow older, some require a level of medical and personal support that their relatives cannot provide at home.”
Second, it provides a clear thesis:
“In my view, responsibility should be shared, but the government should guarantee that every elderly person can receive appropriate care regardless of his or her family’s financial circumstances.”
The examiner therefore understands the writer’s position before entering the body of the essay.
Why the Conclusion Works
The conclusion does not introduce a completely new argument. Instead, it summarizes the position established and developed throughout the essay:
“The government should therefore provide a guaranteed safety net, with contributions from individuals and families determined according to their ability to pay.”
This gives the essay a clear sense of completion and ensures that the candidate’s answer to the original question remains unmistakable.
A Useful Task 2 Structure for Students
For an IELTS opinion question of this type, students can use the following structure as a planning framework:
- Introduction: Paraphrase the issue and clearly state your position.
- Body Paragraph 1: Present your first main argument, explain why it is important, and develop it.
- Body Paragraph 2: Present another important argument or address the opposing position and explain its limitations.
- Body Paragraph 3: Develop your preferred solution or provide a particularly relevant example where appropriate.
- Conclusion: Summarize your position clearly without introducing a new main argument.
This is a planning framework, not a memorized essay template. Candidates should adapt their organization to the particular question and develop ideas that directly answer the task.
Key takeaway: A strong IELTS Writing Task 2 response does more than demonstrate advanced vocabulary. It must answer the question directly, maintain a clear position, develop relevant ideas with explanations or examples, organize those ideas logically, and demonstrate accurate and varied language.
