Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-01

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 Sir,

It is submitted with great concern that the area which is the face of any organization that is reception. I have received multiple complains with regards to unhygienic conditions at the said area alongwith the rude behavior of receptionist. Further, it is highlighted that the reception area doesn't has any lower labour staff who can be used as messenger in case of non receiving of phone calls.

Sir, reception area is an area where the visitor gets very first in organization. As the saying goes, first impression is a last impression. Despite having stress on training and strict evaluations of employee, all hardworking would be in vain if the face of the organization which is reception area, remains short in various aspects, as mentioned above.

I would like to suggest few things to make that area well groomed, which are as follows:

1. There should be a low cadre HR availability alongside receptionist in reception area.

2. Sweepers are to make sure that area should be kept clean and supervision shall be done every few hours.

3. Proper training of reception staff so that she can engage and welcome visitors in well educated way.

4. Monthly monetary benefits to the employees who make the organization a better place.

Sir, submitted, please.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the prompt, meaning all bullet points are addressed. The writer successfully describes complaints regarding unhygienic conditions and rude behavior, explains the importance of the reception area using the familiar saying about first impressions, and suggests improvements such as adding junior staff and improving training. However, some ideas are more fully developed than others. While the complaints and suggestions are stated clearly, the explanation of the reception area's importance is somewhat brief and relies on a cliché without further elaboration. To reach a higher level, the writer would need to extend and support all ideas more thoroughly, providing deeper context as to why this specific area impacts the wider business operations.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter maintains a coherent overall arrangement, allowing the reader to follow the progression from complaints to importance and finally to suggestions. The writer uses basic signposts and numbering (such as 'Further,' and the numbered list of suggestions) to structure the text. However, cohesion is at times mechanical or somewhat abrupt, particularly in the transition between paragraphs, and referencing is not always completely clear, such as the sudden shift into a bulleted list following a formal opening. Paragraphing is attempted, but the layout leans heavily on bullet points rather than fully developed cohesive paragraphs. To improve, the writer should use a wider and more flexible range of cohesive devices naturally and ensure smoother transitions between the main body points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common words and phrases such as 'unhygienic conditions', 'monetary benefits', and 'well groomed'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies in word choice, collocation, and word form throughout the text. Examples include 'non receiving' instead of 'unanswered', 'lower labour staff' instead of 'junior support staff', and 'well educated way' instead of 'professional manner'. Additionally, terms like 'complains' are used instead of the noun 'complaints'. While these vocabulary errors do not completely impede communication, they restrict the response from achieving a higher band. To progress, the writer needs to refine word choices and demonstrate greater precision in collocations and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, such as conditional or relative clauses. However, there are several grammar and punctuation errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include subject-verb agreement and article issues in phrases like 'the reception area doesn't has any' instead of 'doesn't have any', and structural errors in 'area which is the face of any organization that is reception'. There are also awkward prepositions and missing articles, such as 'gets very first in organization'. While these errors rarely impede communication entirely, they are frequent enough to prevent the writing from reaching a higher standard. To improve, the writer should focus on strengthening control over basic verb forms, articles, and complex sentence construction.

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

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