Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You are planning a business trip to another city. You will have some free time to do some sightseeing while you are there.
 

Write a letter to a friend who lives in the city you will visit. In your letter:
• explain the purpose of the trip.
• ask about things to do and see in the city.
• invite your friend to do something with you during your visit.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ____

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear John,

I am writing this letter regarding my coming to Brampton, and I have some time to do other activities with you.

Firstly, I am coming to Brampton next month for my business meeting with my partner, and I have some leisure time between the two meetings. Also, I wanted to meet you every time I came to your city, but it didn't happen. I have free time between 3 and 5, so we can meet this time.

Moreover, I want to see some new places over there and explore new things to do, such as fun activities, shooting a gun, and bowling. We can take a picture of us for memories because we will meet after 2 years.

Furthermore, I will give you the exact date that I am coming to Brampton: 20th December, so you take a bre

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address the main situation by explaining that you are travelling to Brampton for a business meeting, asking about activities, and suggesting that you meet. However, the sightseeing request is only partly developed: “fun activities, shooting a gun, and bowling” gives examples, but you do not clearly ask John what places he recommends seeing. The invitation is also vague because “we can meet this time” does not specify a particular plan, and the final sentence is cut off at “so you take a bre…”. The response is 141 words, below the required 150, which limits how fully you can develop the letter. Add a clear question about local attractions, make a specific invitation, and finish with an appropriate closing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a generally understandable sequence: you introduce the trip, explain your available time, mention activities, and give a date. Connectors such as “Firstly,” “Moreover,” and “Furthermore” help signal this order. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical, with several ideas placed in one long paragraph and each introduced by a formal transition. The relationship between the sightseeing request and the proposed activities could also be clearer, while the final sentence ends abruptly and leaves the reader without a proper sign-off. Organise the content into short paragraphs—for example, purpose and timing, then sightseeing and invitation—and use more natural links such as “While I’m there” or “Would you like to…?”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the basic purpose of the letter, including “business meeting,” “leisure time,” “explore,” and “memories.” There are also attempts to use more specific expressions, such as “shooting a gun” and “bowling.” However, some wording is awkward or imprecise for a friendly letter: “regarding my coming to Brampton,” “do other activities with you,” and “see some new places over there.” “Shooting a gun” may also sound unexpectedly specific without context. The unfinished phrase “so you take a bre…” further prevents the intended meaning from being clear. Aim for natural collocations and precise sightseeing vocabulary, such as asking for “local attractions” or “places worth visiting.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mixture of simple and longer sentences, and most of the main information remains understandable. For example, “I have free time between 3 and 5, so we can meet this time” combines related ideas clearly. However, some sentence patterns are awkward or incomplete. “I wanted to meet you every time I came to your city, but it didn't happen” shifts between past and present time in a way that is not fully clear. In “I will give you the exact date … so you take a bre…,” the final clause is incomplete, and the letter has no completed closing sentence. Practise forming clear questions and invitations, and check that every sentence has a complete clause and consistent time reference.

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

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