Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-12

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 manager,

Suggestions about how to improve reception area.

I know, to many complaints are coming from visitors, nowadays. Some, visitors said service is to slow because we donnot have enough staff to handle too many customers. So, you should hire more employes. Also customers have problem with language because they are from diffrent states and counties. So, you should be hire a receptiontist who know all type of languages.

I think reception area is one of the most important area because customes first come over there and fisrt impression is the last impression. So, we should improve the standard of employes like there proper dress and cleanup over there.

We should improve the color theme of reception, employes language, staff standard, menu of hotel rooms, more staff so customers cannot wait, security and etc.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Komalpreet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address all three bullet points: you report complaints about slow service and language difficulties, explain that visitors form their first impression in reception, and suggest hiring staff and improving the area. These are relevant ideas, but several are only briefly stated. For example, “improve the color theme” and “security” are listed without explaining what changes you recommend or how they would help. The letter is also 147 words, so it does not meet the required minimum of 150 words. Develop the suggestions with specific details—for instance, describe staffing at busy times or propose clearer signs—and explain the benefit of each. A more appropriate opening, such as “Dear Manager,” would also make the purpose clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic sequence: complaints are introduced first, followed by the importance of reception and then suggestions. This helps the reader identify the main parts of the letter. However, the progression within paragraphs is not always clear, and the final list—“color theme,” “employes language,” “staff standard,” “menu of hotel rooms,” and “security”—brings together ideas without showing how they relate or which are priorities. Linking words such as “So” are repeated, and the opening fragment does not connect smoothly to the rest of the letter. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs and connect each complaint to a specific recommendation, using varied transitions such as “To address this” or “In addition.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main concerns, including “visitors,” “staff,” “first impression,” and “security.” However, the range is limited and some word choices or spelling errors make parts less clear, such as “receptiontist,” “employes,” and “cleanup.” Phrases including “staff standard” and “menu of hotel rooms” are also unclear or unsuitable for describing a company reception. Aim for more precise collocations, such as “reception staff,” “professional appearance,” and “information about available rooms” if relevant. Proofreading spelling and choosing words that accurately express the intended recommendation will make your ideas easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You communicate mainly through simple sentences and make some attempts to join ideas with “because” and “so.” However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect fluency. For example, “I know, to many complaints are coming” has an incorrect sentence structure, while “you should be hire” uses an incorrect verb form. There are also problems with articles and agreement in “reception area is one of the most important area.” Practise forming clear subject–verb sentences and checking verb patterns: write “many complaints are being made,” “you should hire,” and “the reception area is one of the most important areas.”

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

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