Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Student answer (Band 5.5)

In this modern era, it is often argued that youth is spending more time in using technology such as mobile phones and social media which impact their studies and relationships adversely. The main causes are parents working after hours and advancement of technology. This problem can be tackled by strict schedules of parents, and put some restrictions on usage of technology.

Firstly, now both the parents are working, and they are not spending quality time with their families, hence, children are using smartphones and social media to keep themselves busy. For instance, mothers are so occupied with their work that if their children need them, instead of helping them, they hire helpers to raise their child. In this case, the child never gets an emotional connection with her mother. Secondly, students are using AI for their assignments, and even their exams which is making them lazy.

There are some solutions that we can use to tackle this situation. Parents should avoid answering office phone calls when they are home, and they should follow a strict rule of not using smartphones on the dining table.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to address the prompt regarding youth spending time on technology, identifying causes such as working parents and technological advancements, and proposing solutions. However, the task appears to be mistreated as an essay rather than a standard General Training letter (which is typical for GT Task 1), suggesting a misunderstanding of the task format. Nevertheless, the ideas presented are relevant to the prompt, offering reasons like lack of emotional connection and reliance on AI, alongside solutions like strict schedules. The response is somewhat limited in development, touching upon key themes but lacking the specific structural conventions of a standard General Training letter. This performance aligns with Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The text exhibits some organisation with basic paragraphing dividing the introduction, body points, and solutions. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'For instance', but their application is sometimes mechanical or repetitive. The logical progression is somewhat disrupted because the conclusion/solutions section is very brief and not fully integrated into a cohesive closing structure. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraph boundaries and transitions could be smoother. This level of organisation and logical sequencing fits the Band 6.0 descriptors well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'adversely', 'smartphone', 'emotional connection', and 'assignment'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though accompanied by minor inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'youth is spending more time in using technology' (instead of 'spending more time using technology'). Spelling and word choices do not impede communication, meaning the vocabulary range is sufficient for basic clarity. These characteristics reflect a Band 6.0 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'In this modern era, it is often argued that...' and 'Parents should avoid answering office phone calls when they are home...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, including 'youth is spending' (plural/singular mismatch), 'put some restrictions' (ungrammatical coordination with 'tackled by'), and 'raise their child' (mismatch with plural 'children'). However, these errors rarely impede communication and the meaning remains clear throughout the response. This fits the criteria for Band 5.5.

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

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