Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-09

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 5.0)

Hello Friend,

I am writing regarding, at my apartment while were away on a trip, then we returned home, I discovered that my valuable possession was broken, it was my watch.

When, I was packing for the trip clothes, so that time I checked y valuable watch was good for the glass wise and continues for the time being. It was a gifted by you on previous birthday party. So, It was very important for me.

It was important because of, that was given to you on my birthday party for the gift given from you side and very precious and to important for the very valuable gift. It was important because that gift given by you brother. It was very regrade for the prosperous look in my wrist.

I am very unhappy for the seen it was broken and my heartfelt for your face, because, the time being watch for you.

Hence, Unhappy for the valuable possession was broken.

Yours Faithfully,

Ashish Prajapati

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: describing the watch, explaining its importance, and requesting action. However, the development of these ideas is significantly hampered by unclear phrasing and repetitive, confusing explanations. For instance, the explanation of why the watch is important is circular and difficult to follow, as the student repeats 'important' and 'gift' multiple times without providing a clear, logical narrative. While the task requirements are technically met, the lack of clarity in expressing the purpose of the letter and the requested action makes the communication ineffective. To improve, focus on structuring sentences that clearly explain the situation and the specific resolution you are seeking from your friend.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter is divided into paragraphs, but the internal logic within these paragraphs is weak. The progression of ideas is disjointed, and the use of cohesive devices is either missing or misused, such as the awkward transition 'Hence, Unhappy for the valuable possession was broken.' Referencing is often unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the narrative. The opening is particularly problematic, as it attempts to combine too many ideas into a single, run-on sentence that lacks grammatical structure. To improve, use simple linking words like 'because,' 'however,' or 'therefore' to connect ideas logically and ensure each paragraph has a clear, singular focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive, relying on basic words like 'important,' 'gift,' and 'broken.' There are several instances of word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'glass wise,' 'regrade for the prosperous look,' and 'heartfelt for your face.' These errors frequently impede the reader's understanding of the intended meaning. The student struggles to express simple concepts clearly, which limits the ability to convey the emotional tone appropriate for a letter to a friend. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise adjectives and verbs, and focusing on correct word combinations, is essential for improvement.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The letter contains frequent grammatical errors that often obscure the meaning. There are significant issues with sentence structure, including run-on sentences, missing subjects, and incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'It was a gifted by you'). Punctuation is also problematic, with commas used incorrectly throughout the text. The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, error-prone sentences. There is little evidence of complex sentence structures. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and practicing the correct use of articles and prepositions.

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