Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You rode in a taxi yesterday. When you got home, you realized you had left your bag in the taxi.

Write a letter to the manager of the taxi company. In your letter
• explain how you lost your bag.
• describe your bag.
• ask the manager to help you find it.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter regarding about yesterday’s i rode in a taxi and when i got home i realized i had left my bag in the taxi.

Also i checked my bag in home i dont found anywhere. Yesterday i was at my friends house and when i rode a taxi for home .i left my bag in a car and When i was enter in my room then i realized i dont have my bag.

Furthermore my bag is from coach. Red wine color of my bag with cute cartoon keychain on my zip. It was a shoulder bag and it was so special for me because it was a gift.

In addition I request you to find my bag as soon as possible. I also mentioned the details about taxi. I need your help to find out my bag. Me and my family are worried because the bag was so expensive.

Please let me know if you require any further information.

Yours faithfully,

John.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt: explaining how the bag was lost, describing the bag, and requesting assistance. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter to a manager. However, the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive, particularly in the opening paragraph where you restate the situation multiple times. To improve, ensure each sentence adds new information rather than restating previous points. The purpose of the letter is clear, and the reader understands exactly what is required, which satisfies the requirements for a Band 5.5-6.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition 'Also i checked my bag in home' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. The logical progression between sentences is occasionally hindered by repetitive phrasing and a lack of varied linking words. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of transition signals (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in addition') to connect your ideas more smoothly and reduce the reliance on simple sentence structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic message, but it is quite limited and repetitive. You rely on simple descriptors like 'cute' and 'special'. There are also some errors in word choice, such as 'checked my bag in home' instead of 'at home'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to the context of lost property, such as 'misplaced', 'belongings', or 'distinctive features'. Expanding your range of adjectives and nouns will help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with verb tense consistency ('i rode', 'i realized', 'i dont found'), article usage, and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple, and attempts at more complex structures often result in errors, such as 'When i was enter in my room then i realized i dont have my bag.' Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of capital letters and full stops. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and correct tense usage will significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

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

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