Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this regarding the laptop, which i recently buy from your shop. I would like to draw your attention to this problem. Which usaully get shutdown when i am working.

Firstly, the issue was not that big but whenever i start working suddenly it shut down. unfornatelty, i thought i did not charge the laptop but, when i charge and it show 100% battery. still it shut down

secondly, i have keep it charging, and i won't shutdown, Because i work from home i have to move around to watch others thing and i am not able unplunge the laptop. So , if you could look into this matter and replace laptop for me i would appericate convienece.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Your fathfully

Sweta Patel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points: describing the problem, explaining the impact on work, and requesting a solution. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum, which limits the development of ideas. The explanation of how the problem affects your work is quite brief, and the request for a replacement could be more formally articulated. To improve, you should expand on the consequences of the technical failure, such as mentioning missed deadlines or lost data, to ensure the task is fully developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by fragmented sentences and awkward transitions. For example, the transition 'Firstly' is used, but the subsequent explanation is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate, such as the misuse of 'Because' at the start of a sentence without proper connection to the following clause. Improving the use of linking words like 'consequently', 'furthermore', or 'therefore' would help the ideas flow more naturally and improve the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to convey the situation with precision. There are several errors in word choice and form, such as 'unplunge' instead of 'unplug' and 'convienece' instead of 'convenience'. Additionally, the phrase 'watch others thing' is vague and unnatural. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more specific terminology related to technical issues and professional correspondence. Expanding your range of vocabulary and paying closer attention to spelling and word forms will significantly improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede communication. Issues include incorrect verb tenses ('i recently buy'), subject-verb agreement ('it show 100%'), and sentence fragments ('Which usaully get shutdown'). The punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of periods and commas. You rely heavily on simple sentence structures, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors. Focusing on basic sentence construction, ensuring subjects and verbs agree, and proofreading for tense consistency will help you achieve a more accurate and professional tone.

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

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