Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-20

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/Ma,

I am writing this letter to inform you that I forgot my handbag in one of your taxis I took at the Melvin's garage to Abet Avenue yesterday to be précised March 3rd, 20226.

In all honesty, I was very busy making some call in the taxi over some challenges I was experiencing with my bank. Unfortunately for me, I got down from the car with my other bag but due to distraction with the call I did not notice I did not carry my handbag until I got home.

My bag is a red and black color. It has a yellow zipper at down and a brown small teddy bear on top hndle. I left it on the back sit directly at the driver side.

I would appreciate if the manager can assist me in finding it.

I look forward to your prompt response.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter covers all three bullet points: explaining how the bag was lost, describing the bag, and requesting assistance. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. The development of ideas is sufficient for the purpose, but the brevity prevents a more thorough explanation. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, though the opening 'Dear Sir/Ma' is slightly informal compared to the standard 'Dear Sir or Madam'. To improve, ensure you expand on the details of your journey or the contents of the bag to comfortably meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized into paragraphs, with each paragraph addressing a specific part of the prompt. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the context of the trip to the description of the item and finally the request for help. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and mechanical. For instance, the transition between the description of the bag and the request for help is abrupt. Using more varied linking words or phrases would improve the flow and help the reader follow the narrative more smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are some awkward phrasings, such as 'at down' instead of 'at the bottom' and 'on top hndle' (spelling error). The use of 'précised' is incorrect in this context; 'specifically' or 'to be precise' would be more natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message, it does not demonstrate the range or flexibility required for a higher band. Focusing on more accurate collocations and avoiding repetitive structures will help improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors that detract from the overall quality. Examples include 'I forgot my handbag in one of your taxis I took' (missing preposition), 'making some call' (should be plural 'calls'), and 'back sit' (should be 'back seat'). There are also punctuation and spelling issues, such as '20226' and 'hndle'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to suggest a lack of control over complex structures. Proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and spelling is essential.

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

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