Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-01

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 5.0)

Hi,

Manpreet

I just recived your letter and i am very happy that you choose me to get a critical advise in your life. I knew that you are in critical situation that which path you should choose. From my point of view you should choose job rather than college because after all its is everybody last task. Firstly, if you will get job then you will start earning in early time which will help you to help your family secure a good future as we

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 86 words. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. While you attempt to state your position, the letter is incomplete; you have not explained why college would be unsuitable, nor have you suggested specific types of jobs. The ideas presented are underdeveloped and the letter ends abruptly mid-sentence. To improve, you must ensure all three bullet points are addressed with sufficient detail and that you meet the minimum length requirement to allow for full development of your arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter lacks a clear structure due to its incomplete nature. While there is a basic attempt at an opening, the lack of paragraphing and the abrupt ending make it difficult to follow a logical progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are largely absent, and the flow is interrupted by the unfinished sentence at the end. To improve, you should organize your response into clear paragraphs: one for the introduction, one for each bullet point, and a closing. Using linking words like 'furthermore', 'consequently', or 'however' would help connect your ideas more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. You use simple phrases like 'choose me' and 'critical situation' which are somewhat unnatural in this context. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'recived' (spelling) and 'earning in early time' (collocation). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to express complex ideas or provide detailed advice. To improve, try to incorporate more varied and precise vocabulary related to career and education, and focus on accurate spelling and natural word combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that hinder clarity. Examples include 'you choose me to get a critical advise' (should be 'advice', which is uncountable), 'its is' (punctuation/contraction error), and 'if you will get job' (incorrect conditional structure). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and the lack of completion makes it impossible to assess your ability to use complex structures. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles and prepositions.

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

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