Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-16

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.

Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter

• remind him when and where you met
• tell him what kind of job you are interested in
• say why you think you would be suitable for the job

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

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

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Ram,

Hope you are doing well. During our recent trip to Londan, we sat next to each other on the plane. You told me during our conversation that that you owns a chain of restaurants. As you had told me that i should contact you about a possible job in one of your restaurants.

If you can recall from our talk that I am finace graduate. I am currently looking for a managerial role that could help me develop my skill and grow in my career.

You had told me about your needs & requirements about people you like to hire. I feel I meet your search criteria. If you could hire me, I would be a great addition to your team. As i can bring alot of new ideas and fresh blood to your business.

Really looking forward to hear back from you and further discus about it.

Your faithful,

Ram

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The letter covers all three required points: you remind Ram that you met on a plane during a trip to London, state that you want a managerial role, and explain that you could contribute ideas to his business. The purpose is clear and the details are relevant. However, the suitability point is less fully developed than the job preference: “I meet your search criteria” and “a great addition to your team” are broad claims, with little evidence of your finance background or relevant experience. The opening also repeats the information about his restaurant chain rather than using that space to explain your qualifications. Add one or two specific examples of skills or experience that connect your finance studies to restaurant management, and make the request for a conversation more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a generally sensible order: you recall the meeting, describe the role you want, explain your suitability, and close by asking for a reply. Paragraph breaks help distinguish these stages. Some links between ideas are less smooth, however. The opening uses “As you had told me” as a sentence fragment, and “If you can recall from our talk” does not connect naturally to the statement about your degree. The repeated references to what Ram “told” you also make the progression feel somewhat mechanical. Use complete sentences and clearer transitions—for example, move directly from recalling the conversation to your current job search, then link your qualifications to the role with “Because of my finance background…”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough relevant vocabulary to communicate the main purpose, including “managerial role,” “develop my skill,” and “addition to your team.” However, the range is limited, and several choices or spelling errors reduce precision and naturalness. “Fresh blood” is an informal expression that may sound unsuitable in a professional letter, while “discus” and “finace” are misspelled. “Grow in my career” and “meet your search criteria” are understandable but not especially natural in this context. Aim for precise, professional wording and check spelling carefully. Phrases such as “management position,” “contribute new ideas,” and “discuss the opportunity further” would make your interest sound more polished without changing your meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The letter includes both simple statements and attempts at more complex structures, such as “If you could hire me, I would be a great addition to your team.” The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors are noticeable. In “you owns a chain,” the verb should agree with “you”; “that that” repeats a conjunction; and “As you had told me…” is an incomplete sentence. The sentence beginning “As i can bring…” is also a fragment, and “looking forward to hear” needs a gerund form after “to.” Capitalisation of “I” is inconsistent. Review subject–verb agreement, complete sentence structure, and verb patterns, then proofread punctuation and capital letters.

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