Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-25
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 reaching out you to ask for assistance. I am an employee in a renowned company. Now a days, I am working online due to some reasons. I would like to mention you a problem with my desktop, it is not working properly, as the screen light is goin becomes very dim. The processor also working slowly.
I have a lot of work pending due to lagging problem of the computer. I would be very grateful if you please send some expert to check my computer and pinpoint the disorder. So that, I could be able to complete my tasks. I have many urgent meetings with my seniors regarding my official duties.
I hope you will realize my problem, and would provide me prompt assistance to curb this problem. I am waiting for your response. Thanks for your time and considertations
Yours obediently,
Sobia.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The letter addresses all three bullet points: describing the problem, explaining the impact on work, and stating the desired action. However, the response is slightly under the 150-word minimum, which impacts the overall task completion. The ideas are relevant but could be developed with more specific detail regarding the 'disorder' or the nature of the work. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, though the opening and closing salutations could be more standard. To improve, ensure you expand on your points to comfortably meet the word count requirement and provide a more professional structure.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the narrative. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and occasionally mechanical. For instance, the transition between the problem description and the impact on work is abrupt. The use of 'So that' to start a sentence is grammatically informal and disrupts the flow. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'as a result') to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure the progression of the letter feels natural rather than disjointed.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are some awkward collocations, such as 'pinpoint the disorder' (which sounds medical rather than technical) and 'curb this problem'. The spelling error 'considertations' also detracts from the professional tone. While the meaning is clear, the range of vocabulary is limited to basic, functional language. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more specific technical terminology related to computer hardware and use more sophisticated phrasing to express your needs and expectations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'I am reaching out you' (missing preposition), 'Now a days' (should be one word 'Nowadays'), 'screen light is goin becomes' (redundant/incorrect verb form), and 'I could be able to' (redundant). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the clarity of the message. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.