Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-07

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have enrolled in an evening course but you have found that you are too busy to continue and would like to take the course next term instead.

• explain the situation and why you cannot continue the course

• say what you would like to do about your studies

• ask for advice about what you can do about the situation

Student answer (Band 5.5)

dear sir

i hope you are good. I just want to inform you about enrolling in an evening course, as I could not continue in the evening session because I am so busy at work due to a new project. Also, I am going out of the country for one or two months. I'm so sorry that I could not make it.

i want to join the evening session as it is perfect for my schedule. i like want to continue my studies as i am interested in maths. also, it will help me for my work and i get some new knowledge.

i have a lot of interest in this course so i am asking you about your advice in this situation m i allow to do this course after i will come back from my work trip or i have to wait for another year or session. could you me doing this

thank you

anmol

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: explaining the situation, stating the desired outcome, and asking for advice. However, the development of these points is somewhat limited. The explanation for the absence is clear, but the request for advice is phrased in a slightly confusing manner, specifically the sentence 'could you me doing this'. While the purpose of the letter is clear, the tone is quite informal and lacks the professional polish expected in a formal letter to an institution. To improve, ensure that the request for information is articulated clearly and that the tone remains consistently formal throughout the correspondence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite basic and repetitive. For instance, the word 'also' is used at the start of multiple sentences, which makes the flow feel mechanical. There is a lack of variety in linking words, and some transitions between ideas are abrupt. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in addition to this') to connect your ideas more fluidly and improve the overall logical progression of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite simple and repetitive. Phrases like 'I am so busy' and 'I have a lot of interest' are functional but lack the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'get some new knowledge', which sounds unnatural in this context. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic or professional vocabulary. For example, instead of saying you are 'busy', you could describe your situation as having 'unforeseen professional commitments' or 'a demanding workload'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally impede readability. Examples include the lack of capitalisation for 'i', the incorrect phrasing 'm i allow to do', and the run-on sentence structure in the final paragraph. While the meaning is generally understandable, these persistent errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, proper punctuation, and consistent capitalisation will significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

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

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