Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-15

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)

DearFriend,

Assalam-o-Alaikum! I hope you are healthy. I receved your latter yesterday. Your asked me about whether to go to collage or to try to get a job

I praffer to the job because I'm not intresting in study. I know study is very important but I could not it. So, job is the best option for me. I gain the expriance, practice and knowledge for the bussiness idea. in future I build a bussiness become a independent.

I really know study is the good than the job so, I'm not stop permanently. you are the my best friend, you understand me and my mind. I promise hardly working in job and become build a new bussiness.

thank you very much.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main points of the prompt by touching upon why college might not be enjoyable, explaining why a job is beneficial, and suggesting future business goals. However, the tone and perspective are slightly confused, as the writer shifts between talking about their own preferences and advising a friend. Furthermore, the response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 121 words. Because of this under-length penalty, the task is only partially fulfilled, limiting the overall score for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter lacks proper paragraphing, with multiple distinct ideas crammed together in a single block of text. Cohesive devices are minimal and basic, relying on simple connectors like 'so' and 'and'. The logical progression is somewhat disjointed, and referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult to follow the writer's exact line of reasoning. While the opening and closing follow a standard informal letter format, the internal cohesion requires better structuring and logical linking.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with frequent spelling errors ('receved', 'latter', 'collage', 'praffer', 'intresting', 'expriance', 'bussiness') and word-formation errors ('independent' used as a noun). The range of vocabulary is limited to simple terms, and attempts at less common words result in inaccuracies that occasionally cause strain for the reader. To improve, the student needs to expand their word choices and practice correct spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

Grammatical control is weak, with frequent errors in sentence structure, tense, and article usage. Examples include 'I could not it', 'study is the good than the job', and 'I promise hardly working in job'. Simple sentences dominate, and attempts at more complex structures are frequently faulty and obscure meaning. Punctuation is also problematic, with missing full stops and lowercase letters at the start of sentences. These frequent errors heavily impede communication throughout the text.

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

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