Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-25

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 5.0)

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing this letter in response to your request regarding the suggestions for the reception area of the company.

There are several complaints have been made by satff regarding the old infrastructure, heating issues and outdated computer system. We have also recieved complaints from clients regarding not having any seating or waiting area.

I strongly belive that reception are plays very important role in a business. It represents our business to anyone visiting us, any client or supplier doing walkin. It reflects our professionalism and

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The student attempts all three bullet points required in the prompt: they describe complaints about the reception area (old infrastructure, heating, computers, and lack of seating), touch upon why it is important, and begin to suggest improvements. However, the text is incomplete and breaks off mid-sentence, leaving the suggestions largely under-developed. Furthermore, the length requirement of 150 words was not met, as the response is only 88 words long. This severe under-length significantly impacts task completion and restricts the score for this criterion. To improve, the student must ensure all bullet points are fully expanded with detailed explanations and reach the word count minimum.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter begins with a conventional salutation and moves logically into the purpose of the writing. Paragraphing is attempted to separate the introduction, complaints, and importance, which shows a basic structural awareness. However, due to the abrupt end of the text, overall progression is stunted, and cohesive devices are minimal. Referencing is generally clear up to the point where the writing stops. To achieve a higher band, the student should use a wider variety of cohesive devices (such as furthermore, consequently, or in addition) to link ideas smoothly across well-developed paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for a basic transactional letter, using words like infrastructure, reception, and professionalism. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as "satff" instead of staff, "recieved" instead of received, and "belive" instead of believe. The phrase "walkin" is also used incorrectly as a noun. These errors reflect a limited control of spelling and collocation. To improve lexical resource, the student should incorporate a more diverse range of less common vocabulary and carefully proofread to eliminate basic spelling mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing contains a mix of simple and emerging complex structures, such as the infinitive clause "in response to your request regarding..." and prepositional phrases. However, there are notable grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ("There are several complaints have been made") and missing articles ("reception are plays very important role"). The abrupt cut-off at the end also leaves a sentence grammatically incomplete. To improve, the student needs to exercise greater control over basic sentence construction, article usage, and ensure all sentences are brought to a complete and accurate conclusion.

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

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