Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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 Mrs Collins,

I hope both for you are just not doing well, but are at immaculate level of fitness. As Chris told me, last time I had chance to catch up with him over call, that both of you have lately grown fond of fitness.

Main purpose of that call was to plan out catching up with his birthday being right around the corner. We landed on a common date that is 10th of May which is the date that comes right after his birthday. Nevertheless, I really appreciate the level of detailing that you've put into planning this, the surprise of friends and family showing up at his apartment for watch party of his favourite football team. However I wouldn't be able to make it as I had preplanned event that I ought to go to representing my company.

I would showup on the next day and looking into make reservation for four now if both you wanna join as well. Eagerly waiting for your response.

Lots of love,

Fenil

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address the three requested points: you suggest Chris will enjoy seeing friends and family at a football watch party, explain that a work event prevents you attending, and propose meeting the next day. However, the reason Chris would enjoy the surprise is only briefly implied, and the alternative plan is unclear: “make reservation for four” does not say where you plan to go or confirm the date and time. The opening also focuses on the parents’ fitness rather than the invitation, which makes the purpose less direct. Develop the birthday-related ideas more clearly and specify a practical arrangement for seeing Chris. This would make the letter feel more complete and ensure each part of the task is clearly addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter has a basic structure, with an opening, a central paragraph about the party and your absence, and a closing plan. The sequence is generally understandable, but the progression is not always clear. For example, “Main purpose of that call” introduces a previous conversation without clearly connecting it to the invitation, and “Nevertheless” does not express a clear contrast between the party details and your inability to attend. The final paragraph combines the proposed visit and a reservation without explaining how they fit together. Use simpler, more precise links between ideas and give each purpose its own clear sentence. This would improve the overall progression and reduce the effort required to follow the arrangements.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a varied vocabulary, including “immaculate level of fitness,” “preplanned event,” and “representing my company.” However, some choices are unnatural or imprecise for this friendly letter. “I hope both for you are just not doing well” is difficult to interpret, while “level of detailing” and “for watch party” do not express the intended meaning naturally. “Showup” is also incorrectly written as one word in this context. These choices sometimes make the reader pause, although the main message can still be understood. Prefer familiar, accurate collocations and a consistent conversational tone; for instance, say that you appreciate the effort they have put into organising the surprise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt longer sentences and subordinate clauses, but complex structures are often faulty, and errors sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. Examples include “I hope both for you are just not doing well” and “As Chris told me, last time I had chance to catch up with him over call, that…,” where the clause structure is incomplete or awkward. There are also missing articles in “had chance” and “over call,” and the final sentence, “I would showup on the next day and looking into make reservation,” does not maintain a consistent verb pattern. Build sentences around a clear subject and verb, check articles, and keep coordinated verbs in the same form. Shorter, accurate sentences would make your message clearer.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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