Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-19
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 Smith,
I am writing this letter to discuss about the camping holiday for the first time in summer.
Firstly, we should take into account the importance of enjoying a camping holiday because there are many places that are good for camping, which will contribute to overall efficiency and well-being.
Also, if you consider the likelihood of enjoy the camping I want to give you some advice because there are some disadvantages like, bad weather, animals during the camping; you should be careful for this.
Furthermore, if you go camping with your friend this summer, it is a great chance to go there because the weather is good in the summer, and you can explore the places properly and enjoy nature. You should not be ignored, as it can increase the chance of success, effectiveness, quality of life, and a positive environment.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Kind regards,
Jones,
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The letter addresses all three bullet points, but the development of ideas is weak and often repetitive. While you mention why camping is enjoyable, the reasons provided—such as 'efficiency and well-being'—are vague and do not sound natural in the context of a friendly letter. The disadvantages are mentioned briefly, but the advice on how to handle them is limited. The final point regarding your willingness to join is addressed, but the phrasing is somewhat confusing. To improve, focus on providing more concrete, personal examples, such as specific activities or practical tips, to make the content more relevant to a friend.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression between ideas is often disjointed. For example, the transition between discussing the benefits of camping and the disadvantages is abrupt. While you use some cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Also', and 'Furthermore', they are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately, such as using 'Furthermore' to introduce a point that seems to contradict the previous advice. The flow of ideas needs to be more natural to ensure the reader can follow your argument without effort.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You rely on generic terms like 'good', 'places', and 'things' rather than more descriptive language. There are also issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'discuss about' (which should be 'discuss') and 'likelihood of enjoy' (which should be 'likelihood of enjoying'). The phrase 'You should not be ignored' is also used incorrectly in this context. To reach a higher band, try to use more specific vocabulary related to camping, such as 'scenery', 'wilderness', 'essential gear', or 'unpredictable weather'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. You have several grammatical errors, including 'discuss about' (unnecessary preposition), 'likelihood of enjoy' (incorrect verb form), and 'careful for this' (incorrect preposition). Additionally, some sentences are structurally awkward, such as 'You should not be ignored, as it can increase the chance of success'. While these errors do not completely prevent communication, they occur frequently enough to distract the reader. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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