Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

A magazine wants to include contributions from its readers for an article called 'The book that influenced me most'.

Write a letter to the editor of the magazine about the book that influenced you most. In your letter

- describe what this book was about
- explain how this book influenced you
- say whether this book would be likely to influence other people

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter regarding a magazine in which you want conrtibutions from readers for an article about the book that influenced them most.

I have read many articles from your magazine, but I like the most is Bhagavat Gita. In this artcile you have mentioned the whole story that how Pandva's won against evil with help of lord Krishna.

When I was a child my grand parents used to read this book infront of me. I have a lot of interest in history stories, therefore your article influenced me and learn useful skills which helps to be more patience, gain confidence and positivity in daily life.

I think that this book will infuence other people as it has a life lessons which is crucial. Moreover, many people like to read history related things for positive environment in their vicinity.

I look forward to hearing from you soon and let me know if you need anything else.

Yours sincerely,

Jinal Prajapati.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address the three requested points: you identify the Bhagavad Gita, refer to its story of the Pandavas and Krishna, describe lessons you took from it, and say it could influence others. However, the response only partly fulfils the purpose of writing to a magazine editor. The opening focuses on the magazine’s request, and “your article influenced me” makes it unclear whether the book or the magazine had the effect. Your account of the book and its personal impact is also brief, while the prediction about other readers is general. Develop a specific example of how one lesson changed your behaviour, and explain why that lesson might matter to other readers.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, with separate paragraphs for the book, its influence, and its possible effect on others, followed by an appropriate closing. This gives the reader some organisation. However, progression is not always clear: the second paragraph shifts from your reading habits to an “article” and then to the book’s plot, while “therefore” does not clearly connect the ideas that follow. The final paragraph also repeats the broad idea of influence without developing it. Use clearer topic sentences and make each paragraph follow one main point. Check that references such as “this article” and “this book” identify the intended subject.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “confidence,” “positivity,” and “life lessons,” to communicate the book’s perceived value. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision, such as “conrtibutions,” “artcile,” and “infuence.” Some phrases are also unnatural or unclear, including “history related things” and “for positive environment in their vicinity.” Choose more precise expressions for the book’s content and its relevance to readers, and proofread spelling carefully. For example, you could describe it as an epic or religious text and refer to its moral teachings rather than using broad phrases such as “things.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause with “therefore” and a sentence beginning “as.” However, errors are frequent, and some make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “I like the most is Bhagavat Gita” lacks a clear grammatical structure, and “your article influenced me and learn useful skills” does not maintain a consistent verb pattern. There are also problems with agreement and articles in “it has a life lessons,” as well as the construction “let me know if you need anything else” after “I look forward.” Practise complete sentence patterns, subject–verb agreement, and parallel verb forms, then proofread each sentence.

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