Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-09-07
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)
My name is Ali Haidar . I lived in the same area where you post the job for a waiter and i think i am best for that because i had experience in waitering from last 3 years . I am work in a hotel which is 60 kilometres away from my home . I had to get up early in the morning then take a bus for 2 hour to reach my hotel for my work but now i am looking for a new job which payment me litter more and also near my home .
This weekend is very busy because some celebrities are coming for 3 days . I had to work little bit more thats why i am available for interview . We can arrange it on Friday . Then we will discuss other things in the interview and I will give you my best .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: current occupation, suitability, and interview availability. However, the development of these points is somewhat limited. The explanation of your current job is clear, but the description of your suitability is brief and lacks professional detail. The mention of celebrities is slightly confusing in the context of an application letter, as it does not directly highlight your skills as a waiter. To improve, ensure that your reasons for applying and your qualifications are more explicitly linked to the requirements of the job advertisement, providing a more professional tone throughout the letter.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is divided into two paragraphs, which is a reasonable structure. However, the logical progression between ideas is sometimes disjointed. For example, the transition from discussing your current commute to the mention of celebrities is abrupt. Cohesive devices are used sparingly and are sometimes repetitive or misused, such as the use of 'then' and 'and' to connect clauses. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'in addition') to create a smoother flow between sentences and paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'payment me litter more' and 'give you my best' are informal and lack the precision expected in a formal job application. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'waitering' instead of 'waiting' or 'wait staff experience'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more professional collocations and precise terminology related to the hospitality industry, such as 'customer service', 'professional experience', or 'competitive salary'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with verb tense consistency (e.g., 'I lived', 'I am work'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are simple, and there is a lack of complex structures. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around punctuation marks. To improve, focus on mastering basic tense usage and ensuring that your sentences are grammatically complete. Proofreading for common errors like 'I am work' (should be 'I am working') will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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