Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-13

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 Alex,

I hope you are doing well today. I am very greatful about the surprise birthday party for Chris.Since our childhood, Chris really love surprises and its been a long time he didn't get any surprise from your side and friends as well. he will be on cloud nine when he will get this great surprise.

But i am writing you to apologize for i wont'be able to attend the party. As you know i have just graduated. So i was already started my CSMLS exam preparation durind study.Unfortunately,the exam will be held on the same day of the birthday party.

But i have some other plans to see Chris at a different occassion.After my exam i will visit to Chris as i am going to through a party for my graduation ceremony. At the same time i will visit to you because its been a long time to meet with you and Chris.

See you Soon,

Navkiran

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three points: you explain that Chris enjoys surprises, give your exam as the reason you cannot attend, and propose visiting after the exam. These details make the letter relevant and the purpose clear. The explanation of why Chris will enjoy the party is supported by the childhood connection, but the other plans are less fully developed: “I will visit to Chris” and “I will visit to you” do not specify when or suggest a definite arrangement. The graduation-party idea is useful, but clarify whether you are inviting Chris and his parents or planning a separate visit. A more specific proposed date or invitation would make the final point more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a coherent overall arrangement: it opens politely, explains the party’s appeal, gives your reason for declining, and ends with an alternative plan. Paragraphing helps distinguish these main points, and connectors such as “But,” “So,” and “After my exam” guide the reader through the message. However, some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “But I have some other plans” does not clearly connect the graduation celebration to a specific meeting, and “At the same time” leaves the timing of the visit uncertain. Use clearer transitions and refer explicitly to the proposed occasion and people, so the reader can follow exactly when and how you hope to meet.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of vocabulary for a personal letter, including “surprise birthday party,” “on cloud nine,” “apologize,” and “exam preparation.” These choices communicate your meaning and show an attempt to use expressive language. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, however, such as “greatful about,” “from your side,” “different occassion,” and “going to through a party.” Spelling and capitalization also need attention, including “greatful,” “durind,” and “Soon.” These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main message, but more accurate, natural phrasing would make the letter sound more fluent and appropriate. Review common collocations and proofread spelling before sending.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, for example, “Since our childhood, Chris really love surprises” and “Unfortunately, the exam will be held on the same day of the birthday party.” The reason for your absence is understandable, and the future passive form is used appropriately. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with verb forms, tense, agreement, and sentence boundaries: “Chris really love” should be “Chris really loves,” while “I was already started” needs a corrected tense construction. In “he will be on cloud nine when he will get,” the time clause should use the present simple (“when he gets”). Capitalization and punctuation around sentence starts and spaces after full stops also need more consistent control.

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