Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-24
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 or Madam,
I hope this email finds you well.
I am writing to change my evening course classes of Mathematics, as I am working in superstore in evenings to manage my expenses. My shifts are fixed and I am unable to make any chances cause of that I ma unable to attend evening classes.
I would like to drop my evening class so I can concentrate on other three courses without effecting my grades and work. I would like to take this course in upcoming term with other two pending courses.
If possible can you provide me any alternative solution of my situation. How can I optimize my time without effecting my studies and work.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers all three bullet points: it explains the situation, states the desired action, and asks for advice. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. The explanation of the situation is brief, and the request for advice is somewhat vague. To improve, you should expand on the details of your work schedule and provide more context regarding your academic goals to ensure the letter is fully developed and meets the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter is logically organized into paragraphs, and the progression of ideas is clear. You use basic cohesive devices like 'I am writing to' and 'If possible'. However, the transitions between sentences are somewhat mechanical, and the overall structure is quite short. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly, such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'in light of this'.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You use basic terms like 'change my evening course' and 'make any chances'. There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as 'effecting' instead of 'affecting'. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to academic and professional contexts. For example, instead of 'drop my evening class', you could use 'withdraw from the course' or 'defer my enrollment'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors that hinder the flow. For instance, 'I am working in superstore' is missing an article, and 'I ma unable' is a typographical error. Additionally, the phrase 'cause of that I ma unable' is grammatically incorrect and awkward. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and proofreading for minor slips that can distract the reader.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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