Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01
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,
My name is Dennie, Here I want to discuss about my problem regarding the equipment which is laptop I bought it last year from your shop and Now the laptop is not working properly sometimes it hang , working very slowly .
It’s really affecting to my work because if slowly working I can’t make my excel sheet on time so my manager got angry on me and I can’t give answer on zoom meeting just because of the problem .
I have request to you kindly exchange my laptop either refund you gave me the warranty of 2 years as I told you I bought it last year so I have 1 year warranty.
It’s my humble request to resolve my problem as soon as possible.
Thankyou for giving me your time.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points: describing the problem, explaining the impact on work, and stating the desired resolution. However, the response is under the 150-word minimum, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. The explanation of the problem is quite brief, and the request for action lacks formal structure. To improve, you should expand on the technical issues and provide more detail regarding the professional consequences. Because the response is under-length, it fails to fully develop the required points, resulting in a lower score for task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is very limited. There is a lack of linking words or transition phrases to connect ideas smoothly (e.g., using 'consequently' or 'furthermore'). The sentences are often disjointed, and the flow is somewhat mechanical. To improve, focus on using a wider range of cohesive devices to connect your sentences and paragraphs, ensuring that the progression of your argument is logical and easy to follow throughout the letter.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which limits the ability to express the situation with precision. Phrases like 'working very slowly' and 'got angry on me' are simplistic and lack the professional tone required for a formal letter of complaint. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'give answer on zoom meeting'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, formal vocabulary related to technical issues and business communication, such as 'malfunctioning', 'hindering productivity', or 'requesting a formal resolution'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with verb tense, articles, and sentence structure (e.g., 'sometimes it hang', 'if slowly working I can’t make', 'I have request to you'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing capital letters and incorrect comma usage. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors makes the writing feel unpolished. You should focus on subject-verb agreement and sentence construction to ensure your writing is accurate and professional.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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