Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-23
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 friend,
hope you are doing well,
it's great to hear from you that you are thinking about this course. This course is, and each and every course is, important, but these are the best thoughts that bring you to this course.
In this course there are some chapters which is most important for the future subjects. in thius course there are four semesters and and each term you will gain knowladge like stairs. as long as i have ask my friend they are studing same course in a different university but this university will provide training which will be helpful for you, which you can apply in your profession, so I will recommend this university.
Finally, i will give you the direction on how to apply firstly you have to go on the university web site and then there is a course on the fornt page where you can find regestration form and fill your details then go to apply.
if you have any questions about it just ask me
your faithful,
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The letter addresses all three bullet points: it mentions the course structure, recommends the university based on practical training, and provides basic steps for application. However, the development of these ideas is quite limited. For instance, the description of the course is vague, referring only to 'chapters' and 'semesters' without specifying the subject matter. The advice on how to apply is also generic. To improve, you should provide more concrete details about the course content and offer more specific, step-by-step guidance on the application process to fully satisfy the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organized into three short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is weak and sometimes repetitive. Phrases like 'in this course' and 'this university' are used frequently, and the transition between ideas is often abrupt. The lack of varied linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'in addition') makes the flow feel mechanical. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider range of cohesive devices to connect your sentences and ideas more naturally, ensuring that the progression of your argument is clearer.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to express ideas with precision. There are several spelling errors, such as 'thius' (this), 'knowladge' (knowledge), 'studing' (studying), 'fornt' (front), and 'regestration' (registration). While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is insufficient for a higher score. You should focus on learning more academic or formal collocations related to university applications and course descriptions. Expanding your vocabulary will help you convey your message more effectively and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex sentences, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'chapters which is'), punctuation errors (missing full stops and incorrect capitalization), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'as long as i have ask my friend'). These errors are noticeable and occasionally distract the reader. To improve, you should focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that punctuation is used correctly to separate independent clauses. Proofreading your work for these common errors is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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