Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-28
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A restaurant has placed an advertisement for waiters and waitresses in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the restaurant, applying for the job. In the letter
- explain what you are currently doing
- describe your suitability for this area of work
- say when you can attend an interview.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Good morning sir, My name is Ali and I am a student in a university of computer science. I am in need of job because of financial problems of mine. I want to continue my studies on my behalf. Recently, i read an article about your restaurants of hiring waiters. I want to know can i be eligible for this job. My summer vacations will be started from next week. I know i am suitable for this job because I was an assistant of a professor in my previous semester. I can handle different things at a same time. I have patience and I know I can manage many things in this job. I red many articles about your restaurant, it has a wonderful environment. Without any difficulty I can adjust in this job. My friends also told me that the staffs there are very kind and friendly, if I ever made mistake I really hope they will help me to correct my mistakes and support me. I can attend interview on next Monday. I will really appreciate it if you hire me for this job because I am really in need for job.
Yours sincerely,
X.Y.Z
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: current status, suitability, and interview availability. However, the tone is inconsistent for a formal job application. The explanation of financial problems is overly personal and unnecessary for a professional letter. While the candidate mentions being a university student and having experience as a professor's assistant, the development of these points is somewhat superficial. To reach a higher band, the focus should remain on professional attributes rather than personal financial needs, and the letter should maintain a more formal, persuasive tone throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organised into a single block of text, which lacks appropriate paragraphing. A formal letter should clearly separate the introduction, the body paragraphs (covering current status and suitability), and the conclusion. While there is a logical progression of ideas, the lack of paragraph breaks makes the text feel cluttered. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often basic or repetitive (e.g., 'I want to', 'I can', 'I know'). Improving the use of linking words and structuring the letter into distinct paragraphs would significantly improve the flow and readability.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the sophistication expected for a formal application. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'financial problems of mine' and 'on my behalf' (used incorrectly). The student relies on simple, repetitive structures. While the meaning is clear, the range is limited. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise professional terminology related to customer service and employment, and avoid colloquial or grammatically incorrect expressions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Examples include 'My summer vacations will be started' (incorrect passive voice), 'I red many articles' (spelling error), and 'staffs' (incorrect pluralisation). Additionally, there are issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader and indicate a lack of control over more complex grammatical forms.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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