Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-13

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have decided to look for a new job.

Write a letter to a friend. In your letter
• explain why you are looking for a new job.
• describe the kind of job you would like to have.
• ask your friend to help you find a job

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Raman,

i hope you are well. i am writing this letter to you related to my job .

i leave my last job its very far from my home and if i go through the bus its takes 1 hour to reach. i am looking for the job because you know i am a student here and i really need a job for surviving here for paying rent and everything.

I am looking for cooking line related job you know before i am working in timhortan and you also know i have a interest on cooking its easy for me if i get that job because i have a experience.

You are leaving in this city from a long time so i hope you know well about jobs . i try alot but i can't find the work. can you please help me to find the job its very important for me .

thankyou

mandeep.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all three bullet points: the reason for leaving the previous job, the desired job type, and the request for help. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the explanation of why you are leaving is clear, but the description of the desired job could be more detailed to better meet the requirements of a formal or semi-formal letter. The tone is generally appropriate for a letter to a friend, though it leans towards being overly informal and simplistic in its expression of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and often mechanical. There is a lack of linking words to connect ideas smoothly within sentences. For example, the transition between explaining the job search and asking for help is abrupt. The use of referencing is also inconsistent, which occasionally makes the flow of information feel disjointed. Improving the use of transition signals like 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'as a result' would significantly enhance the coherence of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying on basic words like 'job', 'work', and 'find'. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'cooking line related job' and 'surviving here'. The spelling of 'timhortan' (Tim Hortons) and the misuse of 'leaving' instead of 'living' indicate a need for more attention to word choice and accuracy. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise collocations and a wider range of vocabulary related to employment and personal circumstances.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with verb tenses ('i leave my last job'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with a lack of capitalization for the pronoun 'I' and improper sentence boundaries. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors in basic structures prevents the text from reaching a higher band. You should focus on mastering simple sentence construction, ensuring correct tense usage, and consistently applying basic punctuation rules before attempting more complex structures.

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

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