Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

A friend of yours is thinking about applying for the same course that you did at university. He/She has asked for your advice about studying this subject. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

• give details of the course you took at the university
• explain why you recommend the university
• give some advice about how to apply

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear .................. ,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Mehak ,

I hope you are doing well , I heard that you are applying for the Business marketing program in a Cambridge university .I am very happy that finally you decided to persuade your studies . I would like to share my experience and also to give you some advice.

I completed my two-year business marketing studies with this university in 2024 . This course covers topics likes accounting , economics , leadership ,finance and management . This helps as a good source of knowledge for doing practical tasks and you will be aware of how real business world works because they give an internship of 1 year in multiunit companies to their students to get real time experience.

I highly recommend you this university because it has excellent teachers ,modern facilities and friendly environment . This university also helps you by providing yopu

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task completion. While you have addressed the three bullet points—describing the course, recommending the university, and offering application advice—the final point is left incomplete as the letter cuts off abruptly mid-sentence. Because the task is not fully finished and the length requirement is not met, the development of ideas is insufficient. To improve, ensure you complete all sections of the prompt and expand on your points with more detail to comfortably exceed the word count minimum.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter follows a logical structure with a clear opening and paragraph breaks. However, the abrupt ending disrupts the overall flow and coherence of the piece. You use some basic cohesive devices like 'I also' and 'because', but the connection between ideas could be more sophisticated. The paragraphing is appropriate for a letter format, but the lack of a closing statement or sign-off further detracts from the cohesion of the communication. To improve, ensure you include a proper conclusion and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your sentences more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for a personal letter, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band score. You use some relevant terms like 'internship', 'multiunit companies', and 'modern facilities', which is positive. However, there are some word choice errors, such as 'decided to persuade your studies' (likely meant 'pursue') and 'in a Cambridge university' (should be 'at'). The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and lacks the flexibility to express more complex ideas. Focus on using more precise collocations and checking for common word-form errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, including punctuation issues (spaces before commas), missing articles ('in a Cambridge university'), and verb choice errors ('decided to persuade'). While these errors do not completely prevent understanding, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. The sentence structure is relatively straightforward, and there is limited evidence of more complex grammatical control. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement, article usage, and ensuring that punctuation marks are placed correctly without extra spaces.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.