Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-02
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 Hana,
How have you been? hope you are doing well.
This is to give you some clues about studying abroad.firstly, I would like to say Congratulation to won a scholarship!
During my Msc education journey I get fully funded scholar at Germany for a year.I had explored many places and culture of Germany during my stay and also my school ,mates were friendly and humble.I can say that I was lucky to have a dorm which is nearby to the school.
I recommend you to found a dormitery before you arrive there. The most challenging part I faced was language. you should learn their language as fast as you can.I really appreciate your commitment to pursue your Msc in Germany because It helps to get permanent visa to live and work there. beside this,the stipend fee is highly valuable.
I hope you got my experience helpful and dont hestate if you have any question.Just call me anytime you want.
Best regards,Kidist
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You address the three requested points: you identify Germany as your destination, mention learning about its places and culture, and explain that the experience helped with your studies and future opportunities. The advice about finding accommodation and learning the language also makes the letter relevant and personal. However, the learning point is only briefly developed: “I had explored many places and culture” does not explain what you discovered about German life or society. The study benefit is also unclear, since the response focuses more on a permanent visa and stipend than on how studying abroad supported your academic work. Add a specific example of a cultural lesson and explain how the experience improved your studies to make the response more complete.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The letter has a recognisable opening, body and closing, and the ideas generally relate to your experience and advice. Phrases such as “During my…,” “The most challenging part,” and “beside this” help signal movement between points. However, the progression is not always clear: the discussion shifts from your experience in Germany to advice about accommodation, then to language, visas and stipends without clearly separating these topics. Some linking is mechanical or unclear, and punctuation around transitions makes the flow harder to follow. Organise the body into clearer stages—for example, your experience and cultural learning first, followed by the academic benefits and practical advice—and use more precise links between ideas.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use a range of relevant vocabulary, including “fully funded,” “commitment,” “permanent visa,” and “stipend,” which helps communicate practical details about studying abroad. There are also attempts to describe people and places, such as “friendly and humble.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unclear, including “clues about studying abroad,” “get fully funded scholar,” and “the stipend fee.” Spelling errors such as “dormitery” and “hestate” are noticeable, and some expressions do not sound natural in a personal letter. Build accuracy by learning common combinations such as “receive a scholarship,” “explore the culture,” and “monthly stipend,” and check spelling before submitting.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response includes both short statements and attempts at longer sentences, for example, “I had explored many places and culture of Germany during my stay and also my schoolmates were friendly and humble.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur in basic sentence forms as well as longer attempts. Examples include “hope you are doing well” without a subject, “I recommend you to found” with an incorrect verb form, and “because It helps” with inconsistent tense and capitalisation. Articles, agreement and punctuation also need attention. Practise forming accurate sentences with past-tense verbs for your experience and clear present-tense advice, then check each sentence for a subject, verb and appropriate punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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