Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-10
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The parents of your Australian friend Chris have invited you to a surprise birthday party for him/her. Write a letter to Chris's parents. In your letter:
- say why you think Chris will enjoy the surprise party
- explain why you won't be able to attend the party
- give details of a plan to see Chris at a different time
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr and Mrs Collins,
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Dear Mr,
I am very happy to hear that you are organized a birthday party for Chris on her birthday. Chris birthday is on 5th August on that time I am on out of town. You are invited a number of friends on that day. I have an important appointment on that day related to my USA visa appointment. I am waiting a number of times for this appointment . Because, there is a number of waiting of this opportunity.Chris will enjoy this party a lot because, Chris is very busy in her studies . This is a bigger relief of this party for his life. I will make a phone call or may be a FaceTime on her birthday for better wishes. I will meet her later date on weekend. I can also arrange a small dinner party for him. I am sorry to say that I can't come on that party.
Thank you for inviting me in the birthday party.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The letter addresses all three bullet points: explaining why Chris will enjoy the party, why you cannot attend, and proposing an alternative meeting. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the explanation regarding the visa appointment is slightly unclear and circular. While the purpose of the letter is clear, the tone is inconsistent; you address the parents as 'Mr and Mrs Collins' in the prompt instructions, but start the letter with 'Dear Mr', which is an error in addressing the recipients. To improve, ensure each point is developed with more natural flow and ensure the tone remains consistently polite and formal throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The letter is organized into a single block of text, which lacks the necessary paragraphing to separate the different points effectively. While there is a logical progression of ideas, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, the frequent use of 'because' and 'on that day' makes the flow feel repetitive. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'as a result') and ensure that each paragraph focuses on one specific aspect of the task to improve the overall structure and readability.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is quite basic and repetitive. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'on that time I am on out of town' and 'there is a number of waiting of this opportunity'. These errors occasionally make the meaning slightly difficult to follow. To reach a higher band, focus on using more natural collocations and varied vocabulary. Instead of repeating 'number of', try using 'several' or 'a significant amount of'. Additionally, ensure that your word choices are appropriate for a formal letter to a friend's parents.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter, particularly with verb tenses and prepositions. Examples include 'you are organized' instead of 'you are organizing', 'Chris birthday' instead of 'Chris's birthday', and 'I am on out of town'. Sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. While the meaning is generally understandable, these persistent errors in basic grammar and punctuation hinder the overall quality of the writing. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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