Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-08
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A family member is coming to stay with you. He/she will be arriving by train in the morning, but you won’t be home until the evening.
explain arrangements you have made for them to have keys and get into the house
tell your relative how to get from the train station to your house
say when you will be home and suggest what you could do together that evening
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear isha ,
Today i got to know from your parents that you will be reaching to my apartment through train but i have an urgent meeting this evening therefore i will be at office by the time you reach my home .
i also want to inform you that my friend leaves next to my apartment with his family . Also i gave him apartments keys therefore you can wait until i come back . Except this , i cooked the vegetarian food specially for you so that you can relax after your long journey .
Also , i am aware that it is your first time you are coming to my place , therefore when you reach the railway station , if you get the bus number 34
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have attempted to address the three bullet points, the final point regarding the evening activities is incomplete, as the sentence cuts off abruptly. The explanation of the keys and the directions from the station are present but lack sufficient detail to fully develop the ideas. To improve, ensure you complete all parts of the prompt and expand on your points to meet the length requirement, providing a more natural and helpful tone suitable for a letter to a family member.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter lacks clear paragraphing, which makes the structure feel disjointed. While there is a basic attempt to sequence ideas, the transition between the key arrangements and the directions is abrupt. The use of cohesive devices is limited and somewhat mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'Also'. The abrupt ending of the text further disrupts the flow and coherence of the message. To improve, use clear paragraph breaks for each bullet point and employ a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the range and precision expected for higher bands. Phrases like 'reaching to my apartment' and 'leaves next to my apartment' are slightly unnatural; 'arriving at' and 'lives next door' would be more accurate. There is some repetition of basic vocabulary, and the attempt to describe the food is simplistic. To improve, focus on using more natural collocations and varied vocabulary to describe your arrangements and the travel directions, moving beyond basic, everyday language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are several grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with prepositions ('reaching to', 'at office'), article usage, and sentence structure. The punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas. The sentence variety is limited, consisting mostly of simple or compound structures. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors and the incomplete final sentence hinder the overall quality of the writing. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for small errors like missing articles will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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