Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-04

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 5.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing a letter to inform you about the book that influenced me a most.

The book is about the great freedom fightor Bhagat Singh who sacrifice his life for sake of this nation ( India). That book was all about his journey from child days to till his last breath.

Being an age of 21, he was hanged till death by the British government and he was fearless and happy during the time of death. Everyone there was shocked and surprised how can someone laugh on death day. He joined the local union party and started protest against the British government. At that time government used to oppress local Indian people and he used to hate that.

I think this book will definitely influence other people by knowing Bhagat Singh hardwork and how he helped the Indian people to get freedom. Although, in that book there aremore stories of other freedom fighters who supported Bhagat Singh in that oppress.

I hope you will like my opinion and show your response on it.

Yours faithfully,

Tarun

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three main points: you identify the book as being about Bhagat Singh, describe his struggle and death, and explain that his example could influence readers. The personal effect on you, however, is not made clear: “I think this book will definitely influence other people” discusses its effect on others, rather than explaining how it changed your own thinking or actions. The final point is also asserted rather than supported; explain what readers might learn or do differently. Some details about the book’s contents are relevant, but the account is brief and occasionally unclear. Develop your personal response and give a specific reason why the book could affect a wider audience.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter follows a generally understandable order: an opening, a description of the book and Bhagat Singh, a comment on its possible influence, and a closing. This gives the reader a basic sense of the message. However, the central paragraph combines several events without clear links, and the shift from Bhagat Singh’s story to the book’s influence is abrupt. Phrases such as “At that time” and “Although” attempt to connect ideas, but the latter does not introduce a complete contrast. Separate the book’s contents from your personal reaction, and use clearer transitions to show how each detail supports your point. The letter format is appropriate, though the closing sentence is vague.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “freedom,” “protest,” “oppress,” and “freedom fighters,” so the reader can understand the subject. There are also attempts at more specific description, such as “fearless” and “hanged till death.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “freedom fightor,” “local union party,” “in that oppress,” and “show your response on it.” Spelling and spacing errors, such as “aremore,” also reduce control. Aim for precise, natural phrases and check word forms and spelling. A wider range of vocabulary for describing personal influence would also help you explain your own response more clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes both simple statements and attempts at longer sentences, for example, “Although, in that book there aremore stories…” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “who sacrifice his life,” “Being an age of 21,” and “how can someone laugh on death day”; these show problems with verb forms, sentence construction, and question structure. The sentence beginning “Although” is also incomplete as written. Work on forming complete clauses, maintaining consistent tense, and using articles and prepositions accurately. Shorter, carefully checked sentences would improve clarity while you build confidence with more varied structures.

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