Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-22

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 Rupinder,

I hope you are doing well. I am very exicting to write a letter to you as I will come to Chandigarh in next month for my business trip and I know you are living near to this city.

The main purpose of this trip is that take a break from hectic schedule as well as explore the another city and learn new thoughts, skills about business.

The reason why I choose this city as you know I like to do thrilling activities such as roof- rafting, scuba diving due to this its a good place to enjoy them.

Moreover, I want to take part in the Ganga arti as it's my long period of desire so its a best time to fulfill it.

Furthermore, it's a good opportunities for us not to spend quality time together but also remember the childhood memories along with do some fun activities.

See you soon.

Yours friend,

Simran

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You explain that the visit is for a business trip and mention sightseeing interests, including rafting, scuba diving and attending the Ganga aarti. You also express a wish to spend time with Rupinder. However, the task is only partly addressed: the purpose is muddled by saying the trip is mainly to “take a break” and “learn new thoughts,” and the request for your friend’s recommendations is not clearly made. The invitation is also vague; “spend quality time together” does not suggest a specific activity or time. Develop each point directly—for example, ask which attractions Rupinder recommends and invite them to dinner or a particular event.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable sequence: greeting and trip details, followed by interests and a wish to meet, then a closing. Connectors such as “Moreover” and “Furthermore” help signal additions, and the overall message can be followed. However, the ideas are crowded into one main paragraph, and the transitions sometimes feel mechanical rather than showing clear relationships. The sentence about choosing Chandigarh moves from the city choice to adventure activities without explaining the connection, while the Ganga aarti detail appears abruptly. Use separate paragraphs for the business purpose, sightseeing questions, and invitation, and make the links between ideas explicit. This would give the letter clearer progression and more natural cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “business trip,” “hectic schedule,” “thrilling activities,” and “childhood memories.” These choices communicate your interests and the friendly tone. There are also noticeable spelling, word-form, and collocation problems that make some phrases unnatural, such as “exicting,” “roof- rafting,” “learn new thoughts,” and “long period of desire.” “Good opportunities” is also not the natural form for the meaning intended. Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than adding ambitious phrases: for instance, say “learn new business skills,” “go white-water rafting,” and “a long-held wish.” Proofreading spelling and word forms would make your meaning clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including “as I will come to Chandigarh…” and the contrast pattern “not to spend quality time together but also…”. The main message remains understandable, but errors in verb forms, articles, agreement, and sentence construction occur in several places. For example, “I am very exicting to write” needs a different adjective and structure, while “the main purpose… is that take a break” lacks a correctly formed clause. The sentence beginning “Furthermore” also has an incomplete “not only…but also” construction. Practise building complete clauses and checking subject–verb agreement and articles; clearer sentence patterns will let your ideas come across more accurately.

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

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