Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-18

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You recently did a short cookery course. The cookery school has asked for your feedback on this course. Write a letter to the course director at the cookery school. In your letter

• describe what you enjoyed about the course
• say how much cooking you've done since the course
• suggest another cookery course you’d like the school to offer

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to provide feedback about my experience of culinary management course, which I have completed last month. I really enjoyed the course as it not only covers theoretical parts but also provides an opportunity to gain practical experience. I enjoyed my internship where I developed my skills. My teachers were well-educated. Their teaching methods and cooking techniques deserves appreciation.

After studying for a year, I have learned a hundred different recipes by using authentic traditional flavours. I have full understanding of ingredients, which are used to prepare savoury dishes. This course not only boosted up my knowledge but also helped me to learn how to use sharp objects safely.

I would suggest college should initiate teaching culinary art course, in which students can learn how to design plates. Although culinary management course includes some basic concepts, by doing cooking art course pupils can inculcate more knowledge.

Your Sincerely,

Nikhil

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You address the three requested points: you describe enjoying the practical experience and teaching, mention cooking and recipes since the course, and suggest a course in plate design. However, the response does not clearly match the situation: you describe a year-long “culinary management course” and an internship, rather than giving feedback on a short cookery course. The amount of cooking you have done since finishing is also unclear; learning recipes during a year of study does not directly say how often or how much you have cooked afterwards. The proposed course is relevant, but its benefits are only briefly explained. Make the timeline explicit and develop each point with specific details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable sequence: feedback on the course, what you learned, and a suggestion for a future course. Paragraph breaks help separate these ideas, and linking phrases such as “not only…but also” and “Although” show an attempt to connect points. However, the progression is sometimes unclear: the second paragraph shifts from the course to recipes and safety without clearly explaining what you have cooked since completing it. The final paragraph repeats “course” and “culinary” and does not connect the suggestion smoothly to your experience. Use clearer time markers and references, and organise the letter around the three requested points so the reader can follow each one easily.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “practical experience,” “authentic traditional flavours,” “savoury dishes,” and “design plates.” These choices communicate your interest in cooking and show an attempt to use more specific language. Some expressions are imprecise or unnatural, however, such as “culinary management course,” “cooking art course,” and “inculcate more knowledge.” “My teachers were well-educated” is understandable but less suitable than describing their expertise or teaching. Aim for natural collocations and consistent terminology, particularly when naming the course you attended and the one you recommend. More precise wording would make your feedback sound clearer and more appropriate for a formal letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the relative clause in “ingredients, which are used to prepare savoury dishes” and the contrast introduced by “Although.” Most sentences are understandable, and grammatical errors do not prevent the reader from following your main points. Some errors remain: “Their teaching methods and cooking techniques deserves appreciation” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “I have full understanding” needs an article. The opening also shifts from “I am writing” to “which I have completed,” making the time reference less natural. Check agreement, articles, and tense consistency, while continuing to use varied sentence structures.

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