Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-20

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

 

You started in your present job two years ago. You now feel it is important for your career development to move to a different department in the same company.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• say what you have learned in your present job
• suggest how the company would benefit from moving you to a different department
• explain why you do not wish to leave the company

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ....................................,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear sir or madam,

I am writing this letter to you that recently i am keen to switch my current department to a convenient one for my personal betterment.

At present where i worked in your company seems like an instituiton for me.When i was entered here i was a fresh graduate but you gave me the opportunity to learn more and enrich my profile.Like i said i have learned manner, etiquette, punctuality and cleanliness which will help me everywhere.

Working in your company but on a different department would be beneficial for both of us.As i have worked for long time so that i know the terms and conditions here.Recently I enrolled to a new course so that the department which will pair my study line would helpful for your company to work and enrich your manpower as well.

In addition, working in your company has given me some benefits like salary, independency and distance to home which will convinced me to stay here right now.

It would be greatful if you kindly switch my department to a suitable one.

Yours faithfully,

Asif Iqbal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three requested points: you mention learning “manner, etiquette, punctuality and cleanliness,” explain that your experience and new course could benefit the company, and give reasons for staying, including salary and the distance from home. However, the central request is not fully clear: “a convenient one for my personal betterment” does not identify the kind of department or career development you seek. The benefits to the company are also asserted rather than explained; for example, the link between your course and “enrich your manpower” needs a specific explanation of how your skills would help. Develop these points and state your preferred department or relevant career goal more directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable structure, with separate paragraphs for your current role, the company’s potential benefit, and your reasons for staying. Linking phrases such as “At present,” “In addition,” and “As” help signal the stages of your message. Overall, the reader can follow the main purpose. Some connections are less clear or mechanical, however. “Working in your company but on a different department would be beneficial for both of us” does not flow smoothly into the explanation about your course, and “As I have worked for long time so that…” combines linking structures awkwardly. Use clearer topic sentences and make each paragraph’s ideas progress in a more direct sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use a range of relevant vocabulary, including “enrich my profile,” “punctuality,” “terms and conditions,” and “manpower,” and the intended meaning is generally understandable. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “switch my current department to a convenient one,” “learned manner,” and “distance to home” do not express your ideas naturally. There are also spelling and word-form errors, such as “instituiton” and “greatful.” Aim for conventional workplace language and check spelling carefully. More precise terms for your career goal and the skills gained in your current role would make the letter sound more professional and convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a conditional-style explanation of how a transfer could help the company. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in verb forms, sentence construction, articles, and agreement sometimes make the message harder to read. For example, “recently i am keen to switch” has an unsuitable tense, while “When i was entered here” uses an incorrect verb construction. In “the department which will pair my study line would helpful,” the clause is missing a necessary verb form. Review tense consistency and practise building complex sentences with clear subjects and complete verb phrases. Also check capitalisation and punctuation, especially at sentence beginnings.

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

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