Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-30

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 5.5)

Dear Jessa,

I hope you are doing well. I am reaching out because you ask me about my experience studying abroad. I studied in Canada the University name is Red Deer polytechnic. I been there for two years.

I have a lot of things to learn from studying abroad especially in canada. We all know that Alberta is the coldest place in Canada. I learn how to commute in a snowing day and learn to wear four clothes. Cook for for winter and learn how to make me more strong by myself.

Studying abroad help me learn more because there teaching is advance than our country. Theres also some lesson that you only learn from overseas. It gaves me courage and make me more confident when it comes to find a job. I know studying overseas is a strong background.

Hope you enjoy and learn more also in which country you choose to study.

Best regards,

Jinky

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address all three requested points: you identify Red Deer Polytechnic in Canada, mention learning to travel in snowy conditions and prepare for winter, and explain that studying abroad improved your learning and confidence about finding work. These details make the letter relevant and give it a suitable friendly purpose. However, some points are only briefly stated or unclear. For example, “I have a lot of things to learn” does not explain what you learned about Canadian life beyond the weather, while “there teaching is advance” gives only a general reason the experience helped your studies. Develop these ideas with a specific example, such as a teaching method or skill you gained, and clarify the length of your stay, since “for two years” does not match the task’s description of a year abroad. The closing is appropriate but could offer more direct advice to Jessa.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a clear overall arrangement: an opening, paragraphs about your experience and its benefits, and a friendly closing. The reader can follow the main sequence from where you studied to what you learned and how the experience helped. Paragraphing supports this structure. However, some links between ideas are abrupt, particularly in the second paragraph, where “I learn how to commute,” “learn to wear four clothes,” and “Cook for for winter” appear as a list rather than a connected explanation. The final paragraph also moves quickly from teaching quality to confidence and employment. Use linking phrases to show how one experience led to another, and make references such as “there” and “it” more precise. This would make the progression smoother without changing the letter’s friendly tone.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use vocabulary relevant to studying abroad, including “commute,” “confident,” “background,” and “studying overseas,” and the reader can generally understand your intended meaning. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear. “Wear four clothes” is not a natural way to describe dressing for cold weather, and “Cook for for winter” does not clearly express what you mean. Phrases such as “teaching is advance” and “a strong background” are also imprecise in this context. Aim for more natural combinations, such as “dress in layers,” “prepare for winter,” and “the teaching methods were more advanced.” Check spelling and word forms, including “Canada” and “advanced,” to make the message clearer and more polished.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You communicate through mostly short, simple statements, and the letter’s main meaning is usually recoverable. There are attempts to connect ideas, but control of verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction is inconsistent. For example, “you ask me” needs a past form in this context, “I been there” is missing an auxiliary, and “Studying abroad help me” has a subject–verb agreement error. The sentence “I studied in Canada the University name is Red Deer polytechnic” joins two complete ideas without suitable punctuation or a linking structure. Try combining information accurately, for example: “I studied at Red Deer Polytechnic in Canada for a year.” Practise past-tense forms for your experience and use complete sentences; this will improve clarity while allowing you to add more varied structures.

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