Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-12
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
You have seen an advertisement from a couple, who live in Australia, for someone to teach their two children your language for a year. Write a letter to the couple. In your letter
- explain why you think you would be suitable for the job
- say what else you could do for the family
- give your reasons for wanting the job
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear .................. ,
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear Mr.& Mrs. Smith,
The purpose of my writing today is to response to your advertisement for seeking someone to teach your children a native language for a year.
I believe my graduation in Punjabi language and three years' teaching experience is the best suitable for this position. As a native teacher, I have better understanding of basic things of any language.
Certainly, I can drive to your home. To add to this, I will provide classes at your home, therefore, you do not need to drop them at specific location. It would save your time.
Actually, I am student in Australia, and I need money for my upcoming semester. Due to this reason, I am looking for a job which suits my time. Moreover I love to
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you addressed the three bullet points—explaining your suitability, offering additional help, and stating your reasons—the content is underdeveloped. The letter ends abruptly mid-sentence, leaving the final point incomplete. To improve, you must ensure you provide enough detail for each prompt to reach the word count. For example, instead of just saying you can drive, elaborate on how this flexibility benefits the family's schedule. The failure to complete the letter also prevents a clear sense of purpose and tone.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which is appropriate for this task type. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete nature of the text. You use some basic cohesive devices such as 'To add to this' and 'Moreover,' but the flow is interrupted by the abrupt ending. The referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a proper closing and the unfinished final paragraph make the overall structure feel disjointed and incomplete. To improve, ensure you have a clear conclusion and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. Phrases like 'better understanding of basic things' are quite vague. You attempt some relevant vocabulary related to the context, such as 'advertisement' and 'position,' but there is a lack of more sophisticated or idiomatic language that would make the letter sound more natural. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'response' instead of 'respond' and 'graduation in' instead of 'degree in'. Expanding your vocabulary to include more descriptive adjectives and precise verbs will help improve your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For instance, 'the purpose of my writing today is to response' should be 'to respond,' and 'I am student' is missing an article ('a student'). Additionally, 'is the best suitable' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'makes me the most suitable candidate.' While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the band score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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