Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-17
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 Collins,
I recently found your letter in which you invited me to a surprise birthday party of my beloved friend Chris. I am also glade to know that surprise for my friend. I am sure he really surprise to see that party.
Uncle I am very excited for that party but I appologies that I won't be able to came this party because I have to attend my exams these days. As you know my LLB degree is almost completed after that exams. I am really sorry to inform you that news.
I know we are waiting for that party but you know exam were also important. Uncle, I will fullfill this gap with a meeting after my exams inshallah. I will came for vacational trip for a month to Australia. Than I will come to enjoy some moments with you and my best friend but you have to take me to whole famous places in Australia. Please give my message of arrival to my friend and also appologies from my side.
Thank you
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You address the three main points: you say Chris will be surprised, explain that exams prevent you from attending, and propose meeting after the exams during a trip to Australia. These details make the letter relevant and show a clear intention to stay in touch. However, some ideas are only briefly or unclearly developed. For example, “I am sure he really surprise to see that party” does not clearly explain why Chris would enjoy it, and the proposed visit is vague because no approximate date or specific arrangement is given. The repeated apologies also take space without adding much. Develop the reason the party will appeal to Chris and make the alternative meeting plan more definite, while keeping the friendly purpose of the letter clear throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response follows a broadly sensible order: you acknowledge the invitation, explain your absence, and then suggest meeting later. Paragraph breaks help separate these stages, and phrases such as “but” and “after my exams” signal relationships between ideas. However, progression is not consistently smooth. “Uncle” is repeated as a form of address, and “I know we are waiting for that party” is unclear and interrupts the transition from your exams to the future plan. Some links are also mechanical, with several ideas joined by “but” or “and.” Use clearer paragraphing and more precise transitions, and make sure each sentence connects logically to the one before it. A conventional closing would also help the letter feel complete.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main message, including “surprise birthday party,” “exams,” “LLB degree,” and “vacational trip.” There are also attempts to express warmth through phrases such as “my beloved friend” and “my best friend.” However, the range is limited and several noticeable word-choice, spelling, and collocation errors make parts of the letter difficult to interpret. For instance, “fullfill this gap” does not naturally describe arranging a later meeting, while “I am also glade to know that surprise” is unclear. Some expressions are repeated rather than varied. Choose familiar, accurate phrases over ambitious but unnatural wording, and check spelling and word forms carefully.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple sentences and longer structures, including “I won't be able to…” and “after that exams,” so there is some variety in sentence form. However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur frequently enough to make several sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “he really surprise,” “I won't be able to came,” and “I will came,” where the verb forms do not fit the sentence. There are also problems with articles and sentence construction, as in “to a surprise birthday party of my beloved friend.” Practise the patterns “will be surprised,” “will be able to come,” and “a party for my friend.” Building accurate short sentences first will make your longer ideas clearer.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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