Band 7
A real candidate answer at Band 7, with every examiner correction marked on it. 8 corrections.
A Band 7 answer is a competent answer. The corrections here are fewer and finer, and several are matters of precision rather than accuracy.
Reading a 7 alongside a 5 is the fastest way to see what the extra two bands actually consist of, and it is rarely what candidates expect.
Click any highlighted word to see the correction. The commentary at the foot of the page explains what holds the answer at this band overall.
The task
Note the three bullet points and who the letter is addressed to.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
New neighbours have recently moved in, but they are making a lot of noise at night while you are preparing for your exams. Write a letter to your neighbours. In your letter:
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear………………………
The answer
Reproduced exactly as written, errors included.
Dear Mr Charlie ,
I am writing this letter to you to inform you of the disturbance which during the night .
It is over a month now and you have been playing your grand piano for many consecutive nights. I have my exams coming next week, to the disturbance, I have not been able to concentrate on my calculus which is on Monday.
It is not only me who is disturbed by your music, but all of us in the nearby area who are and so I am writing to you on their behalf too.
I am not telling you to stop playing your piano, I am just requesting you to change your schedule. Switch the timings of your playing, preferably with . I hope you can understand and follow what I have said. Thank You
Yours faithfully,
Graeme Treherne
(151 words)
Examiner comments
The overall verdict, criterion by criterion.
There are a few issues with punctuation that make some of the sentences unclear. There are also minor errors in vocabulary and sentence structure.
Although the register (tone) of the letter is generally accurate, it is common to be polite in letters that are complaining but also requesting, yet this letter is quite confrontational, and would be more appropriate if it was written in a slightly more friendly tone.
The paragraphing of the letter is suitable, and all the key points have been covered.
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