Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-07
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 Charles,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you to advise you on whether or not you should go on a camping holiday this summer.
I think you should definitely go and there shouldn't be a second thought on this. You always wanted to go on a camping holiday. If I am not wrong, you planned it thrice during our university days, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, we couldn't go. You had always been waiting for this moment so I am sure that you'll have a lot of fun.
Moreover, I would suggest you to carry extra water bottles with you, as it's is very hard to find clean water there. I would also love to accompany you on this trip. I'll apply for my office leave and if they'll allow me, I'll join you for sure.
Kind regards,
Asad
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
You give a clear recommendation and explain why Charles may enjoy the trip, referring to his repeated plans during university and his long-standing interest. You also say you would like to join him, so these parts of the task are addressed. However, the disadvantages are not really described: the warning about carrying water is practical advice, but you do not explain what could make camping difficult or unpleasant. The reasons for expecting him to enjoy it are also brief rather than developed. The response is 146 words, below the required minimum of 150, which further limits how fully you can cover the task. Add a specific disadvantage and explain how it might affect the holiday.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The letter has a recognisable structure, with an opening, advice in the body, and an appropriate closing. The progression from recommending the holiday to offering to join is easy to follow, and phrases such as “Moreover” help connect ideas. However, the disadvantages are not given their own clear development, so the body does not fully organise the three requested points. The water advice appears between the enjoyment explanation and your offer to join, without clearly signalling that it is a disadvantage. Use separate paragraphs for enjoyment, possible drawbacks, and your plans, with straightforward links such as “One drawback is…” to make the progression clearer.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
Your vocabulary is adequate for a friendly advice letter, and phrases such as “unforeseen circumstances” and “accompany you” show some range beyond basic wording. The meaning is generally clear, and the tone is suitable. There are, however, a few awkward or inaccurate choices: “there shouldn't be a second thought on this” is not a natural way to express certainty, and “carry extra water bottles” gives practical advice but does not clearly name a camping drawback. “It's is” also contains a written form error that affects word accuracy. Aim for more natural collocations and precise vocabulary for the disadvantages, such as limited access to facilities or uncomfortable weather.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
You use a mix of simple and more complex structures, including the conditional “If I am not wrong” and the clause “if they'll allow me,” and most sentences communicate their meaning clearly. The sentence beginning “If I am not wrong” is followed by a past-time reference, so “If I remember correctly” would fit the intended meaning more naturally. There are also some errors in verb patterns and tense: “suggest you to carry” should be “suggest that you carry” or “advise you to carry,” while “I'll apply … and if they'll allow me” would be more accurate as “I’ll apply … and, if they allow me, I’ll join you.” The duplicated “it's is” is another noticeable error. Greater control of these forms would strengthen accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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