Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-11

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

There have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.

Write a letter to your manager. In your letter

• describe the complaints that have been made
• say why the reception area is important
• suggest how the reception area could be improved

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Manager,

I am writing this email to discuss about the reception area.

Firstly, We should consider the importance of reception area where visitors to your company arive. which will contribute to rhw overall efficiency and well-being of the company.

Also, if we take into account the likelihood of one weak light bulb at the main entrance of the area and there are is no light by the recepation area that one is important because good lighting and decoration attract more visitors. It is expacted installing more light, brighter lights and motion sensing lighting.

Furthermore, brighter lights should not be neglrecated as they can increase the chance of success , effectiveness, and a positive environment. Moreover, this kind of solution is better to improve the reception area then tourists are more happy as well as enjoy the main area.

I hope to hear from you soon.

kind regard,

Gagandeep singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points, but the development of ideas is inconsistent. You mention the importance of the reception area and suggest improvements, but the description of the complaints is unclear. For instance, the sentence regarding the 'weak light bulb' is confusing and does not clearly explain the nature of the complaints received. While you cover the requirements, the lack of clarity in explaining the current situation makes it difficult for the reader to fully grasp the context. To improve, ensure each point is explained with logical, coherent sentences that directly address the prompt's requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter is organised into paragraphs, which helps the structure. However, the progression of ideas is often disjointed. The use of cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Also', and 'Furthermore' is present, but they are sometimes used mechanically or incorrectly, such as the transition between the importance of the area and the specific lighting complaints. Additionally, some sentences are fragmented or lack logical flow, such as the second paragraph which contains run-on ideas. Improving the connection between sentences and ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed point would significantly enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety needed for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'discuss about' (should be 'discuss'), 'arive' (spelling error), and 'then tourists are more happy' (incorrect usage of 'then' and 'tourists' instead of 'visitors'). You attempt to use some descriptive language, but the errors in collocation and spelling occasionally impede the clarity of your message. Focusing on learning common collocations and proofreading for basic spelling errors will help you convey your ideas more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence attempts, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('there are is no light'), incorrect punctuation, and sentence fragments ('which will contribute to...'). These errors are noticeable and sometimes make the text difficult to follow. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of grammatical slips limits the score. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures, ensuring subjects and verbs agree, and avoiding sentence fragments by connecting dependent clauses to independent ones correctly.

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

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