Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-13

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/ Madam,

I am writing this letter to inform you that I could not be able this term to take courses because i have very hectic schedule this term.

The reason behind this is I am working full time at home depot mainly evenings and over there we always have to tell 2 month prior to HR if we have to change schedule but I forgot to tell him, so now I request him but because its a policy so he could not change it because schedule is already posted.

Now, i decided that i would like to take course next semester so that i can focus it on properly without worrying about my work.

Can you please tell me if you can change my course from this term to next term.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Gurleen Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points: explaining the situation, stating the desired outcome, and asking for advice. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum, which impacts the overall task completion. The explanation regarding the work schedule is somewhat repetitive and could have been more concisely phrased to allow for further development of the request for advice. To improve, ensure you meet the minimum word count and provide a more formal, structured explanation of your circumstances to ensure the tone remains professional throughout the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter follows a logical progression, moving from the purpose of the letter to the explanation and finally the request. Paragraphing is present, though the structure is somewhat fragmented due to the short length of the sentences. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'The reason behind this is' and 'Now, i decided', but they are somewhat basic. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus to enhance the flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'hectic schedule' and 'working full time' are appropriate, but there is a reliance on simple, repetitive language. There are also minor errors, such as the informal use of 'i' instead of 'I' and the repetitive use of 'schedule'. To reach a higher band, incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to professional communication and ensure consistent capitalization and spelling throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The letter contains several grammatical errors that affect the overall quality. For example, 'I could not be able this term to take courses' is awkward and grammatically incorrect. There are also issues with sentence structure, such as the run-on sentence in the second paragraph regarding the HR policy. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of control over complex structures and frequent minor errors in syntax and punctuation limit the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and refining sentence construction to improve accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.