Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently used a company to help you move your furniture and possessions to your new apartment. The removal company has now asked for your feedback about the service they provided.

Write a letter to the removal company. In your letter

• explain what went well on the day you moved house

• praise an employee who was particularly helpful

• mention an aspect of the service that you were not happy with

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to appreciate the service that I have recently received from your removal company.

I was impressed when I witnessed staff was packing and carring my furniture and important items carefully. Also, all precautions like wrapping big things like fridge and dressing mirrior was amazing, to prevent scratches.

I would like to take a moment to appreciate and mention name Jone, who managed all things that day, from a small cardboard to arrage big van. I have recevied eecellent customer survice from him. Moreover, he was open for clear communications.

The only things was not expected was, breakdowm of van. but Jone arraged a new van at right that moment.

I am very happy to received thi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address the main points by describing careful handling and protective wrapping, praising Jone’s communication and organisation, and mentioning the van breakdown. However, the complaint is softened because Jone quickly arranged a replacement, so it is not clear what aspect of the service remained unsatisfactory. The praise is also brief and would be stronger with a specific example of how Jone helped you. The letter ends abruptly at “I am very happy to received thi”, leaving the final message and sign-off incomplete. The response is 27 words below the required minimum, which limits how fully you can explain and develop the requested points. Add a clear account of the problem and complete the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally coherent arrangement: it begins with the purpose, then describes the moving-day service, praises an employee, and mentions a problem. Paragraph breaks help distinguish these points. Basic linking words such as “Also” and “Moreover” make relationships between ideas understandable, although the sequence within the praise paragraph is somewhat list-like. The transition to the van breakdown is abrupt, and “The only things” does not clearly connect the problem to your overall evaluation. The unfinished final sentence also interrupts the progression and leaves the letter without a proper closing. Use clearer transitions to show how the breakdown affected you, and finish with a concluding sentence and sign-off.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “wrapping,” “precautions,” “cardboard,” and “communications,” and the reader can generally understand the intended meaning. There are, however, frequent spelling errors and inaccurate word forms, including “carring,” “mirrior,” “arrange,” “recevied,” and “survice.” Some expressions are also imprecise or unnatural: “appreciate and mention name” and “open for clear communications” do not convey your meaning smoothly. “Big things like fridge” is understandable but informal and vague for a feedback letter. Aim for accurate spelling and more natural collocations, such as “recognise Jone’s assistance” and “communicated clearly.” This would make your vocabulary more precise and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, for example, “I am writing this letter to appreciate the service…” and the sentence explaining that Jone managed tasks from packing to arranging the van. However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the message difficult to follow. Examples include “I witnessed staff was packing,” where the verb pattern is incorrect, and “The only things was not expected was,” which has problems with agreement and sentence structure. “I am very happy to received” also uses the wrong verb form, while the final sentence is incomplete. Use a clear subject–verb structure, check agreement and verb forms, and proofread punctuation. Short, accurate sentences would help you communicate the key points more reliably.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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