Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-19
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
You recently booked a part-time course at a college. You now need to cancel your booking.
Write a letter to the college administrator. In your letter:
- say which part-time course you booked
- explain why you need to cancel your booking
- ask about booking a different course
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Dear Sir,
Good morning sir, how are you? My student number is [redacted phone]. I think you are doing good in your life. I just want to update about my part-time course in our college. I just have booked my part-time course of Math149 but the thing is that I have already done this course .
On the student hub, they have made one mistake
about booking Math 169 they have booked Math149. So, I just want Math 169 instead of Math 149. I have already talk with the student department but they didn't give any response so I have to write letter to you.
So, please, sir I just want to cancel my booking for Math149 and just booked my Math169.
Thank You
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points: identifying the course, explaining the reason for cancellation, and requesting a different course. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. The tone is also somewhat informal and conversational (e.g., 'how are you?', 'doing good in your life'), which is not entirely appropriate for a formal letter to a college administrator. To improve, you should expand on the details of your situation and ensure the tone remains professional throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the message. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and repetitive (e.g., 'So, I just want...'). The progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed due to the brevity of the sentences. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to connect your sentences and paragraphs more fluidly, such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'in light of this'.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying on simple phrases like 'I just want' and 'I have already'. There is little evidence of less common or academic vocabulary suitable for a formal request. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety limits the score. You should aim to incorporate more precise terminology related to academic administration, such as 'enrollment', 'administrative error', 'rectify', or 'requesting a transfer'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response consists mostly of simple sentences. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'I just have booked' (incorrect tense), 'I have already talk' (incorrect verb form), and 'just booked my Math169' (incorrect tense/structure). Punctuation is also inconsistent. To improve, you should practice using a mix of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If it is possible, I would like to...') or relative clauses, and ensure consistent verb tense usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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