Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-04
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think he/she should get a job.
Write a letter to this friend. In your letter
- say why he/she would not enjoy going to college
- explain why getting a job is a good idea for him/her
- suggest types of job that would be suitable for him/her
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ................. ,
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear Rajat,
I hope you and family is good. I know you are confused about your future either you should take study or job. If you want my perspective then I would strongly recommend to you get a job.
I know your family and you very closely so I think this is the right time for you to start your career and support your family. Firstly, if you start work in your profession now then you will get experience in your field which assist you in your dream job in abroad.
Secondly, you can support your family by paying your own expenses. I know your younger brother is doing study in medical field. So its very challenging for your family to afford your and your brother study right now.
I am sure you will take right step for yourself and your loved ones. If you need thing just call me anytime, I will always there for your support.
Good wishes,
Sandeep
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
You have addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state your preference for a job over college, explain the financial and professional benefits, and touch upon the context of your friend's situation. However, the response is slightly lacking in detail regarding the first bullet point: you mention why he should work, but you do not explicitly explain why he would not enjoy college, which was a specific requirement. Additionally, the third bullet point regarding 'types of jobs' is not addressed; you mention 'your profession' generally but do not suggest specific suitable roles. To improve, ensure each bullet point is fully developed with specific examples.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter follows a logical structure with a clear opening and closing. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly' and 'Secondly' to organize your arguments. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'I know your family and you very closely'. Paragraphing is present, but the transitions between ideas could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some sentences feel disjointed. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph flows naturally into the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is adequate for a general letter, but it is somewhat repetitive and basic. Phrases like 'doing study' and 'take study' are unnatural; 'pursuing studies' or 'enrolling in college' would be more appropriate. You rely on simple descriptors and lack the range of less common lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'in abroad' instead of 'abroad'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and avoid repeating the same basic verbs throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There are several grammatical errors throughout the letter that affect the flow. For example, 'I hope you and family is good' should be 'I hope you and your family are well'. You also have issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement, such as 'take right step' instead of 'take the right step' and 'I will always there' instead of 'I will always be there'. While you attempt some complex sentence structures, they often contain errors. Focusing on basic accuracy, particularly with articles, prepositions, and auxiliary verbs, will significantly improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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