Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-31

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have just read an article in a national newspaper which claims that town centres in your country all look very similar to each other. You don't fully agree with this opinion.

Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. In your letter

• say which points in the article you agree with
• explain ways in which your town centre is different from most other town centres
• offer to give a guided tour of your town to the writer of the article

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Dear sir/mam

In my opinion, yes some towns looks very similar with each other because of their structure colour and when they using the same materials so this can be the reason it looks like same .

Additionally,my town is different from others there are too much greenery in my town which is very must for our health it gives oxygen, nature peace.which people are living here they are very happy to stay here in their beautiful home and with this good view of the town, am also very happy that I am living in this town.

Moreover I would like to give the tour to writer of this article I want to show him the everything in our town why it is different and beautiful from other town centres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses all three bullet points: agreeing with the article, explaining the uniqueness of the town, and offering a tour. However, the development of these ideas is quite limited. The explanation regarding the town's greenery is brief and lacks specific detail, and the letter fails to meet the 150-word minimum requirement, which significantly impacts the depth of the response. To improve, you should expand on your points with more descriptive language and specific examples to ensure the task is fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into three short paragraphs, which is a logical structure for this task. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited and sometimes mechanical (e.g., 'Additionally', 'Moreover'). The flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed, particularly in the second paragraph where ideas about greenery, oxygen, and personal happiness are grouped together without smooth transitions. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that connects logically to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'very must for our health' and 'nature peace' are non-standard and indicate a limited range of expression. While the meaning is generally clear, there is a lack of precision and variety. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more sophisticated collocations and descriptive adjectives. For example, instead of saying 'very happy', you could use 'delighted' or 'content'. Expanding your vocabulary will help you convey your ideas with more nuance and impact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('some towns looks'), article usage, and sentence structure. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, such as the second paragraph which contains several comma splices. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the control over basic grammar is inconsistent. To improve, focus on mastering simple sentence construction before attempting more complex forms, and pay close attention to verb endings and the correct use of articles.

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

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