Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-13

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,

i am writing to express my conern regarding the reception area that alot rate of complaints are increasing day by day . I would be grateful if you could give this matter your prompt consideration.

To begin, i would like to explain that reception is the first impression of every firm . It plays a vital role in business reputation. Moreover,the reception area in our business is always the topmost reason for your customers complaints ,which has caused considerable inconvience.I believe that appropriate measures should be taken to address the situation.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could take the necessary steps to resolve this hurdle. Furthermore, we can arrange proper training for our front desk staff to improve our service. I am confient that this matter can be resolved satisfactorily if the appropriate action is taken.

I trust that you will give this matter due consideration , and look forward to recieve your response at your earliest convenience.

your faithfully,

kamal

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The letter identifies the reception area as a concern and explains its importance by saying it creates the company’s “first impression” and affects its reputation. It also proposes staff training, so the response is relevant to the task. However, the complaints themselves are not described: phrases such as “a lot rate of complaints” and “considerable inconvenience” do not explain what visitors have complained about. The improvement plan is also narrow, with training as the only specific measure; the request to “take the necessary steps” remains vague. To strengthen the response, give examples of the problems visitors experience and suggest practical changes, such as clearer signage, more comfortable seating, or a better check-in process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, moving from the purpose of writing to the reception area’s importance, proposed action, and a closing request. Paragraph breaks help distinguish these stages, and linking expressions such as “To begin,” “Moreover,” and “Furthermore” show an effort to connect ideas. However, the progression is partly mechanical: several formal phrases repeat the same request for consideration without adding information. The central discussion also moves from complaints to reputation and then to staff training without clearly explaining the connection. Organise the body around the task points—specific complaints, why they matter, and targeted improvements—and use references such as “these issues” to make links clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses a suitably formal register and attempts some less common expressions, including “vital role,” “considerable,” and “prompt consideration.” These choices show an effort to write appropriately to a manager. However, several spelling and word-choice problems reduce precision, including “conern,” “inconvience,” and “confient.” Some phrases are also unnatural or unclear: “a lot rate of complaints” and “topmost reason for your customers complaints” do not communicate the intended meaning smoothly. Choose direct, accurate language for the complaints and improvements, and check spelling carefully. For example, “numerous complaints” or “the main source of customer dissatisfaction” would express these ideas more naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

There is a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including conditional and subordinate structures: “I would be grateful if you could…” and “if the appropriate action is taken.” These are generally understandable, and the intended message can be followed. Some errors remain in sentence construction and punctuation, such as “the reception area in our business is always the topmost reason for your customers complaints, which has caused…”; the relationship between the ideas is unclear, and the possessive form is also mishandled. Capitalisation at the beginnings of sentences and in “I” is inconsistent, and commas are sometimes separated from the preceding word. Aim for clearer sentence boundaries and proofread punctuation and possessive forms.

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

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