Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-09
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 and Mr Collins,
I hoped you will be fined . I am very happy that you have a surprised party for Chris . I know she nothing know about this but she will be very happy after received this birthday party. I Know her from the school time when I was gave her a party she was felt very happy.
But am writing this letter to opplogized from you that I can't attend this party because am bit busy in my study and my annual exames are coming so I can't attend its party.
I will mthe chris soon. After my exams I also have a planed that I meat my best friend after finished my exams I also want to spendo lot time with my best friend . We go outside and visit historical places of the Australian. She also know that her country is my dream country. So I will come to Australia soonly . So we celebrate her birthday again there . And we will enjoyed a lot I know it very well . Now am not coming because am very worried about my exams . So I believed that I can't attend the birthday easily.
Your sincerely,
Ayesha Nawaz
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have addressed all three bullet points required by the task: explaining why Chris will enjoy the party, stating your inability to attend, and proposing an alternative plan to meet. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited by the frequent grammatical errors, which occasionally make the intended meaning difficult to follow. For instance, your explanation of why you cannot attend is clear, but the alternative plan to meet is repetitive and lacks a cohesive structure. To improve, ensure that each bullet point is developed with clear, logical sentences that directly address the prompt requirements without unnecessary repetition.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The letter is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the flow of ideas is often disrupted by awkward phrasing and a lack of appropriate cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are frequently missing or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'So' and 'And' to start sentences. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of your thoughts. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'however') to connect your ideas more naturally and improve the overall logical flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is generally basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to express ideas with precision. There are several instances of incorrect word choice and word formation, such as 'surprised party' instead of 'surprise party', 'exames' instead of 'exams', and 'soonly' instead of 'soon'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequent errors in spelling and collocation hinder the sophistication of your writing. To improve, try to learn common collocations and focus on using more precise vocabulary related to social invitations and academic commitments.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
There is a high frequency of grammatical errors throughout the letter, which significantly impacts the clarity of your writing. Issues include incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'I hoped you will be fined' instead of 'I hope you are well'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'she nothing know'), and incorrect sentence structures. While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often faulty, leading to confusion. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, and correct tense usage. Proofreading your work for common errors like 'am' instead of 'I am' would also be very beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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