Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-10-14
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 Sarah,
I am writing to express my sincere aplogise that I will not at home when you will arrive. I have a important meeting at office and I am also unable to come at station to pick you.
As I received your message that you are coming this week. I am happy to see you there, unfortunately I will be not at home because of my scheuled meeting. I will keep the keys of house beneath the doormat at the enterance. Moreover, I also made some snacks and keep in a regrigerator for you.
Furthermore, at the time of arriving your train, I think you will not be able to take public transportation. In case, I recommend you to book a private taxi for convenience. If you need any kind of support please let me know.
In addition, I have planned a dinner in the restuarant when I will reach at home. We can also go for shopping if time permits. I hope you will accept my inconvenience.
Best wishes,
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You cover the main situation and make relevant arrangements: you explain that you cannot meet Sarah, mention leaving a key and snacks, and suggest dinner and shopping. However, the task is only partially addressed because the directions from the station are not actually given; recommending a taxi does not explain how to reach your house. The key arrangement is also not fully clear or reassuring, and the evening plan is brief. Develop these points with practical details, such as a route or landmark, how Sarah should enter, and a specific time you expect to be home. This would make the purpose of the letter clearer and the arrangements more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The letter has a recognisable structure, with paragraphs for the apology and arrangements, travel advice, and evening plans. The sequence is generally understandable, and linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “Furthermore,” and “In addition” help signal new points. However, these transitions sometimes feel mechanical, and the first two paragraphs repeat that you will not be home because of a meeting. Some references are also unclear, as in “I am happy to see you there,” where “there” does not clearly identify a place. Reduce repetition and connect each paragraph more directly to one task point. Clearer sequencing would help the reader follow the arrangements without having to infer details.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use a range of relevant vocabulary for a personal letter, including “private taxi,” “convenience,” “refrigerator,” and “if time permits.” These choices communicate the general situation, but several spelling errors and awkward word combinations reduce accuracy and naturalness, for example “aplogise,” “scheuled,” “enterance,” and “I have planned a dinner.” Some expressions are also imprecise, such as “at the time of arriving your train.” Aim for accurate spelling and more natural collocations, particularly when describing travel and arrangements. A few well-chosen phrases such as “leave the key” or “take a taxi to my house” would be clearer than less natural constructions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including conditional language in “if time permits” and a reason clause about your meeting. However, errors in sentence structure, articles, and verb forms occur often enough to make some sentences difficult to read. Examples include “I will not at home,” “I have a important meeting,” and “I will be not at home”; the opening “As I received your message…” is also an incomplete sentence. Review the forms of “be” and “have,” article use, and how to join dependent clauses to complete sentences. More accurate control of these basic patterns would make your meaning easier to follow.
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