Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-21

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You work for an international company. You have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your job.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• describe the training course you want to do
• explain what the company could do to help you
• say how the course will be useful for your job

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 this letter to let you know that when I was going back to my home I saw a advertisement posted in the railway station. It caught my attention by reading their services. It was regarding a training course to learn about Microsoft Excel which will be helpful for my job.

As a Accountant, I am struggling past few days to learn about Microsoft excel formulas. However, I have Degree in Accounts, still found it ardous task. The institue name is Excellent Coach, are masters in providing deep knowledge of Microsoft excel, such as how to calculate the hours by using simple method.

In addition to this, they are also offering numerous free course such as payroll administration. I would say this will help our company to get success. At the end, I think by getting this skill, I will feel more confident as a part of international company.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the course as Microsoft Excel training and explain that it could help with formulas and calculating hours, so the topic is relevant. However, the letter only partially fulfils the instructions: it does not clearly ask the manager for specific support, such as paying the fee, approving time away from work, or arranging cover. The benefit to your job is also stated generally (“help our company to get success”) rather than linked to particular work duties. The opening explains how you found the advertisement, but this takes space from developing the request. To strengthen the response, state exactly what assistance you want and give one or two concrete examples of how Excel skills would improve your work.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence: you introduce the advertisement, describe the course, and then mention possible benefits. Paragraph breaks help separate these points, and phrases such as “In addition to this” signal a transition. However, the progression is not fully clear because the requested company support is never presented as a distinct point, and the final paragraph moves from free courses to company success and personal confidence without explaining the links. Some connections are also awkward, such as “It caught my attention by reading their services.” Organise the letter around the three task points, using one paragraph for the course, one for your request, and one for its workplace value.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “training course,” “formulas,” “payroll administration,” and “confident.” There is also an attempt to use more specific language when describing Excel skills. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, including “caught my attention by reading their services,” “deep knowledge,” and “get success.” Spelling errors such as “ardous” and “institue” also reduce accuracy. Aim for natural phrases that describe the course and its practical value, such as “the advertisement caught my eye,” “advanced Excel skills,” and “improve efficiency.” Proofreading spelling and choosing precise collocations would make your meaning clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, for example, “However, I have Degree in Accounts, still found it ardous task.” However, the complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make parts of the letter difficult to follow. Examples include “when I was going back to my home I saw a advertisement,” “As a Accountant,” and “The institue name is Excellent Coach, are masters,” where articles, sentence structure, and agreement need attention. The sentence beginning “However” also lacks a clear main clause. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles and punctuation. For example: “Although I have a degree in accounting, I still find Excel formulas challenging.”

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