Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-21

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You work at home and have a problem with a piece of equipment that you use for your job.

Write a letter to the shop or company which supplied the equipment. In your letter

• describe the problem with the equipment
• explain how this problem is affecting your work
• say what you want the shop or company to do

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 inform you that there is an issue with the software of company, which we are using for new app, and I am writing to ask for your assistance regarding this matter.

Fristly, Whenever i am trying input any thing tp make the app it is not working. The main reason is update of software which should new but we are using old software. unfortunetly, that the reason i am able to work.

secondly, we have to present the app within two weeks from now. Because, of this problem with software, my work is not completed. Also it has make it difficult for me to work on developing the app.

I would be thankful if anyone from the company can update the software of our company. so that i can work and i do not have come to compant just for this.

Thank you

Sweta Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the task: describing the problem, explaining the impact on your work, and stating your desired outcome. However, the development of these points is somewhat limited. For example, the description of the software issue is vague, and the explanation of how it affects your work could be more detailed to better convey the urgency of the situation. While the purpose of the letter is clear, the overall tone is slightly informal and lacks the professional polish expected in a formal business correspondence. To improve, ensure that each point is expanded with more specific details to fully satisfy the requirements of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your points. You have used some basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'secondly', and 'Also'. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed, and some transitions feel mechanical. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'the reason i am able to work', which seems to contradict your intended meaning. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each sentence logically follows the previous one will help create a smoother, more professional progression of ideas throughout the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to communicate the main issues effectively. However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and spelling errors, such as 'Fristly' instead of 'Firstly', and 'compant' instead of 'company'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise business-related terminology and ensure greater accuracy in spelling and word formation. Expanding your range to include more sophisticated collocations would also enhance the professional tone of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include incorrect verb forms ('should new' instead of 'should be new'), missing articles, and punctuation errors. For example, the sentence 'Because, of this problem with software, my work is not completed' contains unnecessary punctuation and awkward phrasing. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct sentence structure will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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