Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Write a letter to the local council. In your letter

• give details of how you and your friends or family use the centre
• explain why the sports and leisure centre is important for the local community
• describe the possible effects on local people if the centre closes

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sir,

i am writing to discuss an important matter about the sports and leisure centre closing.

I want to request you to consider the closing decision about the sports centre as i, my friends and family use the centre almost everyday for sports and exercise also, now going in here has become a second nature for us.

Furthermore, physical activity is very crucial for people to stay healthy in all the health dimensions. to add up, playing games and different sports is very helpful and important for younger children's physical as well as mental growth as there are various games like chess that is extremely beneficial for mental development.

i would really appreciate you consideration.

your's faithfully

Anna

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the development of the ideas. While you have addressed the three bullet points—usage, importance, and the effects of closure—the content is underdeveloped. For instance, you mention the effects of closure in the prompt requirements, but you do not explicitly describe what would happen to the local community if the centre were to close. To improve, you must expand on each point with specific details or examples to meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter lacks a clear paragraph structure, which is essential for a formal letter. While there is some attempt at logical flow using transition words like 'Furthermore' and 'to add up', the overall organization is weak. The lack of paragraphing makes the text appear as a single block, which hinders readability. To improve, ensure you use clear paragraph breaks for each main point (introduction, body paragraphs for each bullet point, and a closing). Additionally, ensure that cohesive devices are used more naturally rather than in a mechanical way.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally functional but limited. You rely on basic phrases such as 'important matter' and 'very crucial'. There is a lack of variety and precision in your word choices. For example, 'to add up' is not an appropriate formal transition. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to community services and health, and ensure that your word choices are appropriate for a formal letter to a local council.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are several grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with capitalization (e.g., 'i' instead of 'I'), punctuation, and sentence structure. For example, 'i, my friends and family use' is grammatically awkward, and 'consider the closing decision' could be phrased more naturally. You also have run-on sentences and minor errors in subject-verb agreement. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, consistent capitalization, and proofreading for common errors before submitting your work.

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

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