Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
Your friend has been offered a place on a course at the university where you studied. He/She would like your advice about finding a place to live.
Write an email to your friend. In your email
- describe where you lived when you were a student at the university
- recommend the best way for him/her to look for accommodation
- warn him/her of mistakes students make when choosing accommodation
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your email as follows:
Dear ..........,
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear Sara,
How are you my Dear?First of all,heartiest congratulations on getting admission in the university.Amna told me that you are also looking for a place to live while studying.While i was there,i used to live in the dormitories.Dormitories of the university are well managed,clean as well as property equipped for all essentials students need.To apply,you have to fill an application form requesting accomodation in the admission office.If they have a vacancy,they will let you know.However,the best way to get it is that you go there by yourself and meet the warden.In addition to that,if you get offered double room,try not to take it.Go for a single room, as will be more comfortable for you as well as a less distraction in your studies.If you have any further questions or confusion,you can surely call me
With love
Moneeza
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses all three bullet points: describing your past accommodation, recommending a search method, and warning about mistakes. However, the response is 138 words, which falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the advice is relevant, it lacks the depth and detail expected for a Band 6 or higher. For example, the warning about double rooms is a good idea, but it could have been expanded with more context or personal experience to fully satisfy the task requirements. To improve, ensure you elaborate on each point with more descriptive language and supporting details to meet the word count.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The email follows a logical progression, moving from congratulations to the requested advice. Paragraphing is present, though the structure is somewhat cramped. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'However', and 'In addition to that' are used to link ideas, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall flow is hindered by the brevity of the response. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph is clearly defined to help the reader navigate your advice more smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'dormitories', 'well managed', and 'vacancy'. However, there are some inaccuracies and spelling errors, such as 'property equipped' (should be 'properly equipped') and 'accomodation' (should be 'accommodation'). The range is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise collocations and ensure accurate spelling. For instance, instead of 'less distraction', you could use 'fewer distractions' or 'a more focused environment'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. There are several punctuation errors, particularly missing spaces after commas (e.g., 'Dear,', 'there,i', 'form,you'). Additionally, there are minor grammatical slips such as 'getting admission in the university' (should be 'to the university') and 'as well as a less distraction' (should be 'as well as fewer distractions'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the message, they occur frequently enough to impact the overall accuracy. Focusing on proofreading for basic punctuation and article usage will help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.