Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-16

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have a problem in your apartment that needs repairs.

Write a letter to the building manager. In your letter
• describe the problem.
• say what you think should be done about it.
• ask the building manager to visit your apartment to see the problem.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Dear manager,

i am want to let you know about drain problem in kitchen since 2 month of third floor. I tried to repair sometimes but the problem acure after doing all solution can you help me to repair.

I have very problem to do all things like washing hands, wash utensils bcacause of clog water in sink, and when i leaved use utensils flies are there around the sink and dirty smells around the area even whole house.

I request to you to visit my apartment, see the problem and get solution fast so that I can do my households quickly.

thanks for your understanding.

best regards,

bhoomi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses all three bullet points: describing the problem, suggesting a solution, and requesting a visit. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. The explanation of the problem is somewhat repetitive, and the tone is not consistently formal, which is expected in a letter to a building manager. To improve, you should expand on the impact of the issue and provide more specific details about your availability for a visit to ensure the task is fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which is appropriate for a formal letter. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed due to limited use of cohesive devices. For example, the transition between describing the problem and requesting a visit is abrupt. The use of linking words is minimal, and the overall structure feels mechanical. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in addition') to connect your sentences and ideas more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to convey the urgency of the situation effectively. There are several errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'acure' instead of 'occur', 'clog water' instead of 'clogged water', and 'leaved' instead of 'left'. These errors occasionally impede the flow of reading. To improve, focus on using more precise terminology related to home maintenance and ensure you are using the correct word forms (e.g., nouns vs. verbs).

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors that affect clarity. Examples include 'i am want to let you know' (incorrect verb tense/structure), 'since 2 month' (missing pluralization), and 'I request to you' (incorrect preposition usage). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing capital letters and run-on sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and sentence construction. Incorporating a few 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.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.