Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-29

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/Madam,

I am Sara Jay currently working as a Senior Software Developer in your Company. I want to inform you that I faced a unexpected tetechnical issue when I worki our barcode scanner.

I have to finish my task within 2 days. Unfortunately scanner not working. without this scanner I can not do work by my side. Also, it will be affect all the team performances.

I want to suggest a solution for this. If you can deliver to me another scanner it will be great idea. Please remind to send it with it charger also. I will share my address with our Human resources department.

I believe you can understand my situation. I look forward to hearing from your positive response.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the main purpose of the letter: you identify a problem with the barcode scanner, explain that it is preventing you from completing work, and request a replacement with its charger. However, the problem itself is not described in detail, and the effect on your work is only briefly stated; for example, “I have to finish my task within 2 days” does not explain what work is delayed or how the team is affected. The request to send the replacement is clear, but the address arrangement is vague. The response is also below the required 150 words, so there is not enough development of the points. Add specific details about the fault, its consequences, and the action and delivery arrangements you expect.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable structure: it opens with the reason for writing, moves to the work impact, makes a request, and ends politely. Paragraph breaks help separate these functions, and expressions such as “Unfortunately” and “Also” signal relationships between ideas. However, the progression is quite abrupt, with little explanation connecting the scanner fault to the deadline or the team’s performance. Some links are also awkward or unclear, particularly “I want to suggest a solution for this” before the replacement request and “I will share my address with our Human resources department.” Develop each paragraph with a little more information and use clearer transitions so the reader can follow the situation and the requested next steps smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the situation, including “barcode scanner,” “technical issue,” “deliver,” and “address,” so the basic message is understandable. There are, however, noticeable spelling and word-choice problems, such as “tetechnical,” “worki,” and “team performances.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise: “by my side” does not clearly express that you cannot do your part of the work, and “positive response” is less suitable than a direct request for confirmation. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise terms for the fault and its consequences would also help you explain the problem professionally, for example by stating whether the scanner will not power on or fails to read barcodes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of short statements and longer conditional forms, as in “If you can deliver to me another scanner it will be great idea,” and the overall meaning can generally be followed. However, some errors in sentence structure, verb forms, articles, and punctuation remain. Examples include “I am Sara Jay currently working” (which needs clearer sentence structure), “I faced a unexpected… issue when I worki” and “Unfortunately scanner not working.” The request sentence also needs an article and more natural grammatical construction: “it will be a great idea” is one correction. Use complete sentences, check tense consistency, and include articles and auxiliary verbs where needed. These improvements would make the letter more accurate while retaining the range of structures you are beginning to attempt.

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

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