Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-31
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 5.5)
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Collins,
My name is Shubham Savaliya. I am writing this letter to you regarding the preparation of Chris's birthday party celebration.
I think Chris will enjoy this surprise party because he usually likes surprises, and this year he turned 18. He and his family are excited to celebrate this birthday. This would be the biggest party so that he will enjoy it very well.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend this party because I have a university exam. I have to do preparation for my examination. This is the final university examination, so I can't extend this. If I get a higher score in this exam, then only I can get a further scholarship.
The party will be scheduled at a different time. During all the time period, Chris will join the party. Firstly, he will cut the cake. Then after, some dance will be performed by some groups. Then the prize distribution session will be started at the end of the celebration. Finally, the closing remarks will be given by Chris's parents by giving the valueble gift to him.
Thank you for your time and support. Looking forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Shubham Savaliya
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have addressed all three bullet points of the task. You explained why Chris would enjoy the party, provided a clear reason for your absence, and attempted to outline a plan to meet him later. However, the third bullet point is not fully addressed; you describe the party's schedule rather than detailing a specific plan for when and how you will meet Chris personally. To improve, ensure your response directly answers the prompt's requirement to explain your own plan to see him, rather than describing the party's itinerary. The tone is generally appropriate for a letter to a friend's parents.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is logically organized into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific part of the prompt. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Then after', and 'Finally' to sequence ideas. However, the transition between the explanation of your absence and the description of the party schedule is somewhat abrupt. The use of 'During all the time period' is slightly unnatural and does not effectively link the ideas. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph flows more naturally into the next would help achieve a higher band score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You use an adequate range of vocabulary to convey your message, such as 'preparation', 'celebration', and 'scholarship'. There are some instances of slightly unnatural word choices, such as 'enjoy it very well' and 'valueble gift'. Additionally, the phrase 'Then after' is not standard English. While your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate your meaning clearly, you should aim to incorporate more precise collocations and idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a wider range of lexical resource. Spelling is generally accurate, though 'valueble' contains a minor error.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'this year he turned 18' (should be 'is turning 18' or 'has turned 18') and 'I have to do preparation' (should be 'I have to prepare'). The sentence 'If I get a higher score in this exam, then only I can get a further scholarship' is somewhat awkward in structure. You should focus on improving subject-verb agreement and refining the use of complex sentence forms to reduce errors and improve overall fluency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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