Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-04

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 aman,

How are you my brother. I am excited to inform you that I am planning a business trip to your city. I have some leisure time to exploure the city.

This trip i will planning because i make documentary about your beautiful city. In this documentary i need to collect some data from the distinct destinations , that is very important to include to this documentary.

When i will arrive we will go historical sites for collecting information and records. Then, also visting popular library and museum that i seen only in the pictures. And i would like to eat the delcious food of the city.

I like you will come with me during this trip. we both friends will go for hiking, long drive and do party at night. So, seen you earlier and i can not waiting to meet you.

yours sincerely,

Ranjeet singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt to some extent, but some requirements are only partially developed. You successfully explain that the purpose of the trip is to make a documentary, and you invite your friend to do something together, such as going for hiking or a long drive. However, the request about things to do and see in the city is very limited, as you mostly list places you already plan to visit rather than asking your friend for recommendations. Furthermore, the length requirement is not met, as the response falls slightly short of the required minimum word count. To reach a higher band, all bullet points need full and equal development with more detailed elaboration.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

There is a coherent overall arrangement to the letter, and the progression of ideas is generally logical, moving from the announcement of the trip to documentary details, sightseeing plans, and finally an invitation. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different topics. However, cohesion at times feels mechanical or is hindered by poor referencing and limited transitional links between sentences, such as the abrupt shift starting paragraphs with 'This trip i will planning' or 'When i will arrive'. To improve further, cohesive devices need to be used more flexibly and naturally to connect ideas smoothly across the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate to convey the message. There are noticeable errors in word choice, word form, and spelling, such as 'exploure', 'delcious', and 'seen you earlier', which reflect a basic lexical range. You attempt some less common vocabulary, such as 'documentary' and 'distinct destinations', but inaccuracies in collocation and word formation persist. To achieve a higher band, a wider and more precise range of vocabulary needs to be used with greater accuracy and natural control, avoiding frequent spelling and form errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple forms alongside faulty attempts at complex sentences. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter, including issues with verb tenses and auxiliary verbs, such as 'This trip i will planning', 'that i seen only', and 'i can not waiting'. Article usage and capitalization also show persistent mistakes. These frequent errors cause some difficulty and strain for the reader. To move up to a higher band, you need to produce a better mix of error-free complex structures with reliable control over grammar and punctuation.

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

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