Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-17

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You let a friend stay at your apartment while you were away on a trip. When you returned home, you discovered that a valuable possession was broken.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• describe the broken possession.
• explain why it is important to you.
• explain what you would like your friend to do.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sara,

I hope you are doing well. I feel very sad to inform you that my wedding photo frame was broken by you when you stay at my apartment, as i was in India. when i saw it i fell very disappoint as it's the only gift i have from my bestie.

However, it was very precious for me because it was handcrafted with my wedding date as well as it has my wedding picture. Moreover, that was the only my wedding gift which i had in Canada.

I think you will have to do either repair it from a experience person, or else you would have to order similar frame from shop. I will ready to provide you a picture as it was memorable picture for me. I hope you can understand what i am trying to say.

Your faithfully,

Alina.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter covers all three bullet points: describing the item, explaining its importance, and requesting a resolution. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. The tone is generally appropriate for a letter to a friend, though the direct accusation 'broken by you' is slightly blunt. To improve, you should expand on the description of the item and the emotional significance to ensure the response is fully developed and meets the length requirement. The ideas are relevant, but the lack of sufficient detail prevents a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the narrative. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Moreover', 'However'). There are also issues with referencing and sentence flow, such as the abrupt transition in the first paragraph. The paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to separate the description of the item from the request for action. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would significantly enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks range and precision. You rely on basic descriptors like 'precious' and 'broken'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'experience person' instead of 'experienced professional' and 'I will ready' instead of 'I am willing'. While the meaning is generally clear, the limited range of vocabulary and the recurring errors in word formation prevent a higher score. To improve, try to incorporate more descriptive adjectives and precise verbs related to the context of damaged items and personal belongings.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'when you stay' (tense error), 'i fell very disappoint' (incorrect word form), and 'only my wedding gift' (word order). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of lowercase 'i' and missing commas. While the meaning is usually understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a lack of control over basic grammatical rules. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and consistent capitalization will help improve your accuracy.

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

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