Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-21
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
A museum near your home is looking for people to do part-time voluntary/unpaid work. You would like to do some voluntary/unpaid work at the museum. Write a letter to the museum director to apply for the voluntary/unpaid work. In your letter
- explain why you want to do voluntary/unpaid work at the museum
- describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful
- give details of when you would be available for work
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Student answer (Band 6.0)
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hope this letter finds you well.I got to know that you guys are searching for individuals to do voluntary work for the museum. Currently due to my summer holidays I am in town and do not have much to do and would really like to be a part of your team in our museum.
I would really be a helpful hand for you guys as I am pursuing my masters in history and archeology due to which my knowledge regarding artifacts and historic belongings is pretty well, even my customer service is also brilliant as I have been working in sales from a long time.
If it is possible I would love to volunteer you guys on the week days from afternoon till the museum closes and for the weekends I would be available for the whole day. I am also aware that it's unpaid which works for me.
Your's Friendly
Abhishek
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly state your motivation for volunteering, outline your academic background in history and archaeology, and specify your availability. However, the tone is consistently too informal for a formal application letter. Phrases like 'you guys' and 'do not have much to do' are inappropriate for a professional context. While the task requirements are met, the development of ideas is somewhat simplistic. To reach a higher band, ensure the tone is consistently formal and professional throughout the entire correspondence.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph addressing a specific requirement of the prompt. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the purpose of the letter to your qualifications and finally to your availability. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited. The transitions between sentences are basic, and the letter lacks a variety of linking words to create a more sophisticated flow. Paragraphing is present, but the overall structure feels somewhat mechanical. Improving the use of cohesive devices would enhance the readability and flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and formality required for a professional application. You rely on informal, conversational language such as 'helpful hand', 'pretty well', and 'you guys'. While these phrases are understandable, they do not demonstrate the range or stylistic awareness expected at higher bands. There is a lack of topic-specific vocabulary related to museum work or professional volunteering. To improve, focus on using more formal synonyms and collocations that are appropriate for a business or formal letter.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors that detract from the quality of the writing. For instance, 'I got to know that' is informal and slightly awkward, and 'even my customer service is also brilliant' contains redundant phrasing. There are also punctuation issues, such as the missing space after the period in the first paragraph. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement and refining your sentence structure for better clarity and accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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