Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-10-22

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 course registarar,

i am writing you this letter to let you know that i am enable the take the communication course that i rnrolled for and would like to continue in the next term.

I cannot able take this course because my midrem exams srating next months and i feel like i need to concentrate on my accademic courses first to get my desired result so that is why i am dropping the idea for now to take this extra curriculum course.

i am supposed to take this course to enhance my communication skiilsand because its going to help me in the long way such as in my university studies as well as in future career. having good communication skiils gives to the confidence to represent your ideas in a better way.

i would also like to ask for your advice is that possible that i can take this class on elternative time because my schdule conflict with this evening course and on other course.

sincerely,

viny.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address the main points: you explain that exams and a timetable conflict prevent you from continuing, express interest in taking the course later, and ask about an alternative time. The reasons for valuing the course—improving communication for university and a future career—also help explain your interest. However, the request is not fully clear: you mention both taking it “in the next term” and asking whether you can take it at an “alternative time,” without specifying which arrangement you prefer. The advice request could also be more direct, such as asking whether your enrolment can be deferred or what options are available. Clarifying your preferred plan and developing that request would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a generally understandable sequence: it introduces the problem, explains the reason, describes the course’s value, and then asks about options. Paragraphing helps separate these functions. Some links between ideas are less clear, however. The opening says you would like to continue “in the next term,” while the final paragraph asks about an alternative time, so the reader is left unsure whether you want to defer or change the schedule. The long sentence beginning “I cannot able take this course because…” also combines several points and would be easier to follow if divided. Use clearer transitions and refer consistently to your chosen option to strengthen the progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “midterm exams,” “concentrate,” “communication skills,” and “future career,” and your meaning is generally understandable. There are, however, several spelling errors and inaccurate or unnatural phrases, such as “registarar,” “rnrolled,” “extra curriculum course,” and “in the long way.” These reduce precision and make the letter less natural. Some expressions are also repeated, particularly “course” and “communication skills.” Aim to check spelling carefully and choose conventional collocations, such as “extracurricular course” or “in the long term.” A more formal range of phrases for requesting a deferral would also suit the purpose of writing to a course registrar.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause with “because” and a sentence explaining how communication skills could help in the future. The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “I am enable the take” and “I cannot able take” have incorrect verb patterns; use “I am unable to take” and “I cannot take.” In “I would also like to ask for your advice is that possible,” the clauses are not joined correctly; write, for example, “I would also like to ask for your advice on whether it is possible…” Capitalisation and punctuation are inconsistent, including lowercase “i” and the unpunctuated final request. More accurate sentence patterns and proofreading would improve control.

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

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