Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-10-30
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 5.0)
Dear Sarah ,
I feel so excited to know that you are coming to our house , I 'M writing this letter to explain you that , your train reaching in the morning unfortunately at that time I won't be at home .
Firstly I ' d say you can take 15 number bus after reach to the platform . If you do not able to take bus , this may lead you stuck in trafic . when your reach then you can take keys of my house from our beloved neighbour MR . sham .
Moreover , after coming to the platform and after 15 number bus please take rapido ride to reach the apartment , becuase of easy conveinence , you get beneficial and relaxed .
Because , I have demanding schedule at my office in that morning , I'L be free for you in the evening . we wil definitely go to mall and cafe for dinner
Thank you for your sincerety
Yours lovingly
sandeep
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You address the three main points: you explain that your neighbour has the keys, give travel directions, and say you will be available in the evening and could go to a mall and café. These details make the letter relevant and its purpose generally clear. However, the arrangements are not fully explained: “take keys ... from our beloved neighbour” does not say where or how Sarah should contact him, and the route from the station is confusing because you mention both a bus and a Rapido ride without clarifying the sequence or destination. The evening plan is also brief. Add practical details and develop each instruction so your relative can follow the arrangements confidently.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The letter has a recognisable sequence, moving from the arrival and key arrangements to transport and evening plans, and you use basic signposts such as “Firstly” and “Moreover.” The greeting and closing also suit a personal letter. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the bus, platform, neighbour, and Rapido instructions are mixed together, so the reader may not know what to do first. Some linking words are used mechanically or inaccurately, and the short paragraphs do not clearly separate the task points. Organise the letter into distinct paragraphs for keys, directions, and evening plans, and use straightforward links such as “When you leave the station” and “After that.”
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “train,” “platform,” “keys,” “neighbour,” “apartment,” and “dinner,” so the basic message can be understood. However, the range is limited and several word choices or spellings make the letter less clear or natural. For example, “your train reaching” and “get beneficial and relaxed” do not express the intended meaning idiomatically, while “trafic,” “becuase,” and “conveinence” contain spelling errors. “Beloved neighbour” is also an unusual choice in this practical context. Aim for precise everyday expressions such as “your train arrives,” “pick up the keys,” and “a convenient option.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a reason clause beginning “Because” and a conditional sentence beginning “If.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence construction and verb forms sometimes make the instructions difficult to follow. Examples include “I’m writing this letter to explain you that” and “If you do not able to take bus”; these need structures such as “explain to you that” and “If you are not able to take the bus.” There are also problems with tense and agreement in “your train reaching” and “we wil definitely go.” Review articles, auxiliary verbs, and complete sentence structure, and check punctuation and capitalisation before sending the letter.
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