Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-30

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 saim,

I hope you are doing well,I am writing this letter to give some instructions and details of the course . Last year i have completed this course , it is about threeyears diploma . The diploma is computer technology , this diploma is on demanding in all over the world, and this universty is effiliated with Islamabad university. This university is valid for faron countries, that is why i recmend you to take addimission here and complete you degree with comfortable. This is because this insititute is near for your destination , you reached eassily on time with out having any difficulty. Here you can apply for online, Please visit there vebsite and apply as soos as possible because here first come first join and having good schlorsships as per merit. So you donot waste your time and get addimission in this university. All is suitable for you and good for future. I hope you woul like my advice.

Thank you,

Kind regards,

Zahida

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three requested points: you identify the subject as a three-year diploma in computer technology, give reasons for recommending the university, and advise your friend to apply online. The recommendation is supported with relevant details, including its affiliation, location, and scholarships. However, some points are less fully explained than others. For example, “valid for faron countries” is unclear, so the benefit of the university’s recognition is difficult to understand, and the application advice does not explain what documents or steps may be needed. Develop these details more clearly and make the course description more precise. The friendly purpose and tone are appropriate for a letter to a friend.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter follows a generally understandable order: it introduces the course, explains why you recommend the university, and then gives application advice. This helps the reader identify the main points. However, most information is presented in one long paragraph, so the progression between the course details, recommendation, and application instructions is not clearly signposted. Some links are also repetitive or awkward, particularly the repeated use of “this” and “because.” Divide the letter into short paragraphs for each purpose and use clearer transitions, such as “I recommend it because…” and “To apply…”. This would make the organisation easier to follow and reduce the impression of ideas being joined together mechanically.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “diploma,” “computer technology,” “scholarships,” and “merit,” and the reader can generally understand your recommendation. However, the range is limited and several spelling errors or imprecise expressions make parts difficult to interpret, such as “threeyears diploma,” “effiliated,” and “valid for faron countries.” Some phrases are also unnatural, including “complete you degree with comfortable” and “first come first join.” Choose more accurate collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, explain that the qualification is “recognised internationally” if that is what you mean. More precise wording would make your advice clearer and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Your letter communicates its main message using mostly simple sentence patterns, with some attempts to connect ideas through clauses such as “that is why I recommend you…” and “because here first come first join.” However, errors in verb forms, sentence boundaries, and punctuation are noticeable. For example, “Last year i have completed” should use a past-tense form such as “Last year, I completed,” while “you reached eassily” does not fit the surrounding sentence structure. The opening also joins two sentences with only a comma: “I hope you are doing well,I am writing…”. Use full stops or conjunctions to separate ideas, and practise consistent past and present forms. These changes would improve accuracy while allowing you to retain your straightforward style.

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.