Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-29

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 liz,

I am writing this letter to you for giving some tips and advice for your graduate program in civil engineering which I already completed last year. In first year, there are various option provided but, focus on the major related programs because I choosen one different course which was not related to our major and in the end that credit couldn't help me a lot in result.

Additionally, I recommend this university, as they provide live example and lab test and including this staff are very helpful in nature so, you just have to give your 100% and result will always be in your side. Lastly if you didn't apply your admission, I recommend you use a website from where you will find every detail of your course and fees structure in just one click. And, if you want to visit university for admission so that's also a best option to apply .

Your faithfully,

Manav Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three requested points: you identify civil engineering as the course, recommend the university because of its practical examples, laboratory work and helpful staff, and offer application advice about checking a website or visiting in person. However, several details remain general or unclear. For example, “various option provided” does not explain what course choices were available, and the website advice does not identify where to find it or what application steps to follow. The recommendation is also broad rather than supported with a specific example of how the teaching or facilities helped you. Develop these points with concrete details, and make the advice more directly useful to your friend. The letter’s purpose is clear, but the ideas are limited and under-developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a broadly sensible order: it introduces your course experience, gives reasons for recommending the university, and then discusses applying. Connectors such as “Additionally” and “Lastly” help signal these stages. However, most of the letter is presented as one long paragraph, so the different points are not clearly separated. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “so, you just have to give your 100% and result will always be in your side,” which does not connect smoothly to the reasons for recommending the university. Use separate paragraphs for course details, recommendation and application advice, and make transitions express the relationship between ideas rather than simply marking sequence. Overall, there is some organisation, but progression and cohesion are uneven.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “civil engineering,” “major,” “lab test,” “course and fees structure,” and “admission.” These choices make the general subject understandable. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, such as “live example,” “helpful in nature,” “result will always be in your side,” and “apply your admission.” These phrases may make the reader pause to interpret your meaning. Aim for more precise expressions for practical teaching, staff support and application procedures, and check common word partnerships. The vocabulary communicates the main ideas, but noticeable inaccuracies and repetition keep it from sounding consistently natural or precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a sentence explaining your course choice and a conditional about applying. However, the longer structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “In first year, there are various option provided” has problems with the article, tense and plural agreement; “I choosen” uses an incorrect verb form; and “if you didn't apply your admission” has an unclear grammatical construction. Punctuation also makes some sentences difficult to follow, especially the long sentence beginning “Additionally, I recommend this university.” Practise accurate past-tense forms and agreement, and divide long sentences into shorter, complete units. Greater control of these basics would make your advice easier to read.

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