Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-07
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The younger sister of one of your friends is thinking about spending a year studying abroad as part of her university course. You did this recently, and she has asked you about your experience.
Write a letter to your friend's sister. In your letter
tell her where you studied during your year abroad
describe what you learnt about the country you studied in
explain why your year abroad was helpful for your studies
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear........,
Student answer (Band 5.0)
Dear Rubab
Rubab Shahzadi I am writing this letter to inform you that last year I secured admission in Gottengen university Germany. I am doing a Master In English: Language,Literature and culture.
Here I learned many new things . I learned about the German culture . They are very friendly and helpfull. Everyone here is seems willing to help who needs help. German culture inspired me. German people are disciplined and punctual . Their is a blance in everything . They are living ideal life because their is a blance between work and they have enough time to enjoy.
After observing the culture of Germany I am staisfied with my decision that my decision was right to chose Germany for my master. Their education system is totally different from our country . Their is no fear of securing high grades. The German education gives more value to practicle understanding rather then theory. Their education system is better in every aspects from our country education system.
Their culture inspired me and I am learning their culture to adjust myself within their community.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You address the main points by naming Germany as the country, describing aspects of German culture and education, and explaining that the experience helped you understand a different education system and adapt to the community. However, the study location is not fully clear: “Gottengen university Germany” needs a correctly presented university and city, and the letter does not clearly explain how the year abroad specifically helped your studies, beyond contrasting practical learning with theory. Some claims, such as the education system being “better in every aspects,” are broad and would be stronger with a concrete example. Develop the academic benefit more directly and use a suitable closing to complete the letter.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has a recognisable sequence: it introduces the study experience, describes German culture, and then discusses education. This gives the reader some organisation. However, the ideas are mostly presented as a series of statements, with limited progression between them. The repeated use of “Their” and “Their education system” makes the links mechanical, and the shift from culture to education could be signposted more clearly. The opening also repeats the recipient’s name and runs into the first sentence, which makes the start difficult to follow. Use clear paragraphs for the three requested points, connect related ideas with varied linking phrases, and add a closing line.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “German culture,” “disciplined,” “punctual,” “education system,” and “practical understanding.” These choices communicate the general subject, but the range is limited and several phrases are repeated or imprecise. Expressions such as “ideal life,” “better in every aspects,” and “adjust myself within their community” do not sound natural in this context. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “helpfull,” “blance,” “staisfied,” and “practicle,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, explain specific academic or cultural differences rather than relying on broad evaluations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response mainly uses simple statements and attempts some longer structures, such as “I am satisfied with my decision that my decision was right to chose Germany.” However, these longer sentences are often faulty, and frequent errors sometimes make the meaning harder to follow. Examples include “Everyone here is seems willing,” “Their is a blance,” and “there is a blance between work and they have enough time to enjoy.” There are also problems with articles, agreement, sentence boundaries, and capitalisation, as in “Master In English: Language,Literature and culture.” Practise building accurate sentences with one clear main clause and a supporting clause, then proofread for verb forms, punctuation, and sentence structure.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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