Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-11-09
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A friend of yours is thinking of going on a camping holiday for the first time this summer. He/She has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- explain why you think your friend would enjoy a camping holiday
- describe some possible disadvantages
- say whether you would like to go camping with your friend this summer
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ................. ,
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear Ali,
l hope you are enjoying good health.l received your letter yesterday.l was very excited to know that you want to go on a camping this summer. I think it is a superb idea to relax after a tough routine.
Camping is a very healthy activity.I hope you will enjoy the beautiful scenes of mountains with greeenery all around and fresh air with make you mentally and physically energetic and clam.I hope you will also enjoy activities like climbing and fishing.Climbing help you to get closer to nature and hilly areas give you exposure of plant varities and travlling make you a thrilled person.
Inspite of too much advantages of climbing their are also some disadvantages also like you have to live in a tent which might be uncomfortable for you as you are not used to such type of living .In addition to this you may have to face insects and animals at night which will be crazy for you to face them.So be carefull and bring so necessary equipment and precautionary and emergency conditions should be kept in mind before your camping.
I also want to join you in camping in this summer season.We shall have a excellent time together.I am impatiently waiting your reply about your plan abiut camping date.
your faithfully,
Ahmed
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
You address all three points in the task: you explain that your friend may enjoy the scenery, fresh air, climbing and fishing; mention discomfort in a tent and possible encounters with insects or animals; and clearly say, “I also want to join you.” The letter is relevant and gives your friend practical advice. However, some ideas are more fully covered than others. The benefits are listed but not always explained in a clear, personal way, and the disadvantages and safety advice become somewhat confusing. For example, “precautionary and emergency conditions should be kept in mind” does not specify what your friend should do. Develop these points with clearer examples and a more direct explanation of why the experience would suit Ali.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The letter has a coherent overall arrangement: it opens with a greeting and introduction, moves to the benefits, then disadvantages, and ends with your invitation and a request for a reply. Paragraphing helps the reader follow these main stages, and linking phrases such as “In addition to this” show how ideas relate. At times, however, connections feel mechanical or unclear. The sentence beginning “Inspite of too much advantages of climbing” shifts from the benefits of camping to the disadvantages of climbing, which makes the relationship between ideas confusing. Some sentences also contain several points without clear links. Use more precise transitions and separate distinct ideas so the progression feels smoother.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for a friendly letter, including “fresh air,” “mentally and physically,” “uncomfortable,” and “emergency.” These choices help communicate both the appeal of camping and its possible challenges. You also attempt more descriptive language, such as “a tough routine” and “closer to nature,” though some combinations are inaccurate or unnatural. Spelling errors such as “greeenery,” “varities,” and “travlling,” along with choices such as “clam” for “calm,” reduce the accuracy and polish of the message. Some phrases, including “a camping” and “precautionary and emergency conditions,” are difficult to interpret naturally. Check spelling and learn common word combinations in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including sentences joined with “which” and “as,” and the main message remains understandable. However, errors in sentence structure and basic grammar occur in several places. For example, “Climbing help” needs subject–verb agreement, while “fresh air with make you” has an incorrect clause structure. Articles and prepositions are also inconsistent, as in “a excellent time” and “join you in camping in this summer season.” Punctuation and spacing after full stops need attention, and the closing should be punctuated consistently. Aim to make each sentence grammatically complete, then check agreement, articles, and prepositions before sending the letter.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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