Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-03

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 5.0)

Dear Mr John,

I am writing this letter to request the opportunity to work for next six months at company's head office in Canada. I believe this would be highly beneficial for both the company and my career.

I have been working for this company for several years and I would like to gain the broader understanding of companies international business, projects, and procedures. Working alongside international colleagues at the company will help me to develop professional relations

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening clearly states the purpose: you want to work at the Canadian head office for six months, and you give a relevant reason by referring to a broader understanding of international business and projects. However, the response addresses only the first bullet point. It does not explain how your duties could be handled while you are away, and it does not ask your manager for help arranging the placement. The reason for the move is also only briefly stated, with no supporting detail. The response is substantially below the required length, which leaves the task incomplete. To improve, develop your reasons and include specific proposals for covering your work, followed by a clear request for your manager’s assistance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter begins with a clear purpose and follows it with a relevant explanation, so the reader can understand the basic request. The paragraph break also separates the request from its rationale. However, the response ends abruptly after “professional relations,” and there is no progression to the practical arrangements or a closing request. The ideas therefore form only a partial sequence rather than a complete letter. The linking phrase “I believe this would be highly beneficial” helps connect the request to its rationale, but the short response offers little opportunity to show broader control of cohesion. Organise the letter into a clear opening, reason, work-cover plan, request for help, and closing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some appropriate workplace vocabulary, including “head office,” “international colleagues,” “projects,” and “procedures,” and the main meaning is generally clear. There is also an attempt at more formal phrasing in “highly beneficial.” However, the range is limited by the short response, and a few expressions are not natural or precise: “gain the broader understanding” would be more idiomatic as “gain a broader understanding,” while “companies international business” is unclear and needs a possessive or a different phrase, such as “the company’s international operations.” “Professional relations” is understandable, but “professional relationships” is more natural here. Use precise vocabulary to explain the benefits and practical arrangements in more detail.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes clear simple sentences and an attempt at a longer sentence with “I have been working … and I would like to gain…”. The main message is understandable, and the present perfect continuous is used appropriately in “I have been working for this company for several years.” However, grammatical control is uneven: “at company's head office” is missing a determiner and possessive form, and “gain the broader understanding” uses an unsuitable article. The final sentence also lacks a full stop, and the response ends as an incomplete thought. The limited sample does not demonstrate a wide range of structures. Check articles and possessives carefully, and use complete, punctuated sentences as you develop each point.

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

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