Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-01
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
You work for an international company, and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country. Write a letter to your manager. In your letter
- explain why you want to work in the company's head office for six months
- say how your work could be done while you are away
- ask for his/her help in arranging it
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ................. ,
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Dear Shiva,
I hope you are doing well. To let you know I have booked my tickets to America for the company head office work for six months. As you know my work is to manage company profits in different locations. In the head office there was a record of files and all the data recorded. where I will analyze the whole reports and note useful information. i know this is very time consuming task due to which i have to stay for six months in the office. I know it will be difficult for you
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have attempted to address the three bullet points, the development of ideas is extremely limited. For instance, you mention that your work could be done while away, but you do not actually explain how this would be managed, nor do you provide a clear request for help in arranging the transfer. The letter is incomplete, ending abruptly without a proper closing or a clear request for assistance. To improve, you must expand on each bullet point with specific details and ensure the letter reaches the required length.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter lacks a clear structure and paragraphing. The ideas are presented in a single block, which makes the flow difficult to follow. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link sentences together, making the writing feel disjointed. For example, the transition between mentioning the tickets and describing your work duties is abrupt. To improve, you should organize your letter into distinct paragraphs: one for the introduction and purpose, one for the explanation of work, one for the logistics of the transfer, and a final paragraph for the request and closing. Using linking words like 'furthermore' or 'consequently' would also improve the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, which limits your ability to convey your message professionally. Phrases like 'manage company profits' and 'record of files' are somewhat vague and do not demonstrate a wide range of business-appropriate language. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'head office work' which sounds unnatural in this context. To improve, try to incorporate more specific professional terminology related to your field and use a wider variety of adjectives and verbs to describe your situation and your request for assistance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains several grammatical errors that hinder clarity. There are issues with sentence structure, such as the run-on sentence 'In the head office there was a record of files and all the data recorded. where I will analyze...'. Additionally, there are punctuation errors, such as the lack of capitalization for 'i' and the incomplete sentence at the end. The range of grammatical structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences. To improve, focus on using a mix of complex sentence structures and ensure that your punctuation and capitalization are consistent throughout the text.
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