Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-30

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 Sarah,

I hope you had great time in my house. To let you know, I found my beautiful vase broken after coming back from my trip. It was collected as a souvenior from a Moroccan shop while I travelled.

How passionate I am about collecting traditional items, you must be acknowledged. That vase was particulary picked up by my husband. I wondered how must he felt, when he will discover the incident.

I assume, you better consider to apologize to us by repaying the unimaginable loss.

Yours Friend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the broken possession as a vase and explain that it is a Moroccan souvenir and was specially chosen by your husband, so the reader can understand some of its personal value. However, the task is addressed only partially: the importance is not fully explained, and “I assume, you better consider to apologize to us by repaying the unimaginable loss” does not clearly state a practical request, such as asking Sarah to explain what happened or contribute to repair or replacement. The response is also 61 words below the required minimum, which leaves little room to develop the three points. Add specific details about the vase’s history and why it matters, then make a clear, considerate request.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter follows a recognisable order: it opens with a greeting, mentions the broken vase, gives some background, and ends with a request and sign-off. This basic organisation helps the reader follow the main topic. However, the ideas are compressed into one paragraph, and the connection between the vase’s sentimental value and the request for repayment is not fully explained. The transition “How passionate I am about collecting traditional items” also feels abrupt after the description of the souvenir. Use separate paragraphs for the discovery, its significance, and your request, and connect them with clear links such as “This matters because…” and “Could you please…?”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary to describe the item and its background, including “vase,” “souvenir,” “Moroccan,” and “traditional items.” These choices communicate the general situation, and “unimaginable loss” shows an attempt to express strong feeling. However, several word choices or forms are inaccurate or unnatural, including “passionate” for a personal interest, “picked up” for a deliberate selection, and “repaying the unimaginable loss.” There are also spelling errors in “souvenior” and “particulary.” Choose more precise expressions for the vase’s sentimental value and for the action you want Sarah to take; this will make the letter clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes simple statements and attempts more complex forms, such as “I wondered how must he felt, when he will discover the incident.” However, the limited range is not yet controlled consistently, and errors sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to follow. In that sentence, indirect-question word order should be “how he must have felt,” and the time reference needs a suitable past form. “I hope you had great time” also needs an article, while “I assume, you better consider to apologize” has an unclear grammatical construction. Practise accurate indirect questions, articles, and modal patterns such as “Could you consider…?” before adding more complex sentences.

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

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