Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-25

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)

Dear Maxine,

Hope you are doing well. I am writing a letter to inform you I am grateful for looking after my place while I’m away. However, I have notice that the kitchen stove induction glass was broken and it has chips on the edge, in which I cannot use it as it is dangerous because the cable underneath is slight exposed. The vase in my table are broken into pieces. As you know that is my unlimited souvineers when I went to Bahrain.

I will be grateful if we could arrange some to replace the stove induction glass. I understand if it is costly to replace the induction glass. I would like to inform you I am willing to pay half of the cost of the said items. For the broken vase, I understand it is hard to replace it, however our

Yours truly,

Amada

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address the main situation by identifying the damaged stove and vase, explaining that the stove is unsafe to use, and offering to pay half the replacement cost. You also give a personal reason for the vase’s importance: it is a souvenir from Bahrain. However, the request about what Maxine should do is not fully completed: the letter ends with “however our,” leaving the vase issue unresolved. The importance of the stove and the circumstances of the damage could also be explained more clearly. The response is below the required 150 words, so it does not meet the task’s length requirement. Develop the request for each item and finish with a clear, complete closing thought.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter follows a broadly sensible order: greeting, thanks, description of the damage, and a proposed contribution to the cost. Linking expressions such as “However,” “As you know,” and “For the broken vase” help signal relationships between ideas. Nevertheless, the progression becomes difficult to follow because the stove and vase are introduced together, then the response returns to the stove before beginning an unfinished point about the vase. The final phrase, “however our,” leaves the reader without a complete conclusion. Separate the two damaged possessions into clearer sections or paragraphs, and use a complete final paragraph to state what you expect your friend to do and close the letter.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “induction glass,” “chips,” “exposed,” “replace,” and “costly,” which helps communicate the damage and proposed solution. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as describing the vase as a souvenir from Bahrain. However, several word choices or forms are inaccurate or unclear, including “unlimited souvineers,” “in which,” and “some to replace.” “The vase in my table” also does not clearly express where it was located. These errors sometimes make the intended meaning harder to understand. Aim for precise, natural phrases and check spelling; for example, describe the vase as a treasured souvenir and ask to arrange for the stove glass to be replaced.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including “I understand if it is costly to replace the induction glass” and a clause explaining why the stove cannot be used. However, errors are frequent, and some sentence structures are difficult to follow. Examples include “I have notice” instead of a correctly formed present perfect, “the vase … are broken” with incorrect subject–verb agreement, and “I am writing a letter to inform you I am grateful,” which needs a clearer clause structure. The final sentence is incomplete, ending “however our.” Use shorter, complete sentences when describing each item, and check verb forms, agreement, articles, and punctuation before submitting.

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

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