Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-28

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 John,

I hope you are doing well. I am searching for job as my recent job was exhausted and I want to look for some different work culture .so I am writing letter to inform you about help to find a new job as I am working as a physiotherapist at hospital and my work hour is very hectic and even don’t get a weekend ,so I want to switch at private clinic because over there I get good hand on skills and exposure and even get a detailed knowledge about different conditions as my last job I mainly get two or three conditions so I want to change a job where I develop new knowledge and hand on skills .moreover , in private clinics there is less tjme to work and even well ends were there .so if you get a chance then see for me and contact me . I am waiting for ur reply.

Thanks , your regards jack

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt: explaining why you are looking for a new job, describing the desired role, and asking for help. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, your explanation of why you want to leave your current role is repetitive, and the description of the new job could be more specific regarding the type of clinic or location. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is expanded with more detail and clarity, and maintain a consistent tone throughout the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is generally easy to follow, but the organization is hindered by a lack of paragraphing. The entire response is written as one block of text, which makes it difficult for the reader to distinguish between the different points. Additionally, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'and' and 'so'. To improve, you should organize your letter into clear paragraphs—one for each bullet point—and use a wider variety of linking words like 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'in addition' to connect your ideas more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your message, but it is somewhat basic and contains several inaccuracies. Phrases like 'my recent job was exhausted' are unnatural; you likely meant 'exhausting'. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'well ends' (likely meaning 'weekends') and 'good hand on skills' (which should be 'hands-on skills'). To improve, focus on learning common collocations related to employment and professional development. Using more precise terminology will help you express your ideas with greater clarity and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

You rely heavily on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Issues include incorrect verb tenses ('I am searching for job'), missing articles ('at hospital'), and punctuation errors, such as the misuse of spaces before commas and periods. The sentence structure is often run-on, making it difficult to identify where one thought ends and another begins. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subject-verb agreement, and using correct punctuation. Incorporating a few more complex sentences would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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

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