Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Predictions Nov 2026 · 2026-11-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You take the number 24 bus from Northfield to the city centre several times a week. Recently, you have found it difficult to plan your journeys because you cannot rely on the service. You decide to write to the bus company to explain your concerns and ask it to improve the service.

Write a letter to the bus company. In your letter

• explain why you use this bus service
• describe the problems you have experienced with it
• suggest what changes the company could make to improve the service

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to raise a concern about frequent delays in route no. 24 bus , which supposed to begin its journey from Northfield at 8:00 a.m. and reached to city centre by 9:30 a.m. But I observed that since last few weeks its departure are getting late by 8-10 minutes which eventually delay its arrival to city centre.

This bus usually departed from Northfield at a frequency of 30 minutes. The original schedule of this bus best suits me for my daily commute to ferry heading to Vancouver Island. I usually board on this bus and then it drops me to city centre from where I could walk to the ferry terminal and easily grab the ferry for further journey ahead.

Now, because this bus drop me late to the city centre, I have no room to board Ferry and next ferry scheduled after 90 minutes so either I have to start my journey 30 minutes before or I have to wait almost 70 to 80 minutes at ferry terminal.

I would like to suggest that

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You explain clearly why you use the service: it connects your Northfield commute with the ferry to Vancouver Island. You also describe the central problem—late departures make you miss the ferry and wait for the next one. However, the response does not complete the request to suggest improvements: it ends with “I would like to suggest that” and gives no actual change for the company to make. The opening also focuses on delays, while the stated schedule and frequency are not fully clear. As a result, the letter addresses the purpose only partially and leaves an important task point undeveloped. Complete the final paragraph with specific, practical requests, such as monitoring departure times or providing updates when buses are delayed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a generally understandable order: you introduce the complaint, explain your usual journey, and then show the consequences of the delays. Paragraphing helps distinguish these points, and links such as “because” and “so either” make the cause-and-effect relationship clear. Some connections and references are less smooth, however. For example, “This bus usually departed” shifts tense from the present, and the transition from the ferry problem to the unfinished final sentence leaves the letter without a clear conclusion. The opening paragraph also combines the timetable and the recent delays in a long sentence. Use a complete final paragraph and clearer transitions to make the progression feel more finished.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal complaint, including “frequent delays,” “daily commute,” “scheduled,” and “ferry terminal.” These choices communicate the situation and its impact, and “raise a concern” establishes an appropriate purpose. Some expressions are less natural or precise, such as “ferry heading to Vancouver Island,” “further journey ahead,” and “no room to board Ferry.” The repeated use of “bus” and “journey” also limits variety. Aim for more natural transport collocations, such as “catch the ferry,” “continue my journey,” and “miss the ferry.” This would make the letter sound more fluent and professional while preserving your clear meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “from where I could walk to the ferry terminal” and a cause-and-effect sentence beginning “because this bus drop me late.” The main meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “which supposed to begin” needs a verb (“which is supposed to begin”), and “its departure are getting late” has an agreement problem. Tense control is also inconsistent: “usually departed” and “it drops me” refer to a regular routine but use different forms. The long sentence beginning “Now, because” would be clearer if divided. Check verb forms, agreement, and sentence boundaries when revising.

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

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