Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-18

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 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I hope you are doing well. The intent behind this email is to apply in the job posting which have posted on linkedin.

Currently I am in my fourth semster of my college diploma where paid or unpaid internship is a part of it. So, I saw that you are in need of support staff for summer. There is one position of receptionist in which I am much intersted in because it is direcly aligning with my required curriculam activity.

In my third semester all I have learnt how much customer service skills, For example, Active listening, Better communication, Empathy are important for success. I am much confident in my ability to prove myself.

I am available to work after noon to closing time on weekends and on weekdays I am available all day.

So, if my availabilty suits museum requirment and if you believe I willbe great fit for team then I would like to work. So, the experience will benefit me in my education.

I will wait for your positive answer.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Yahya Patel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The candidate has successfully addressed all three bullet points of the prompt. First, the writer explains the reason for wanting to do voluntary work by mentioning that a college diploma internship is required. Second, relevant skills and qualities are touched upon, such as customer service experience and active listening. Third, clear details regarding availability are provided, distinguishing between weekends and weekdays. The tone is appropriate for a formal application letter, although some ideas could have been extended further for a higher band. Overall, the requirements of the task have been met satisfactorily, covering all necessary prompts.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear opening and closing, and paragraphs are used to separate different points. However, logical progression is sometimes hindered by abrupt transitions and mechanical cohesive devices, such as the repeated use of 'So' at the beginning of sentences (e.g., 'So, if my availability suits...'). Paragraphing is also somewhat fragmented, with very short single-sentence paragraphs that disrupt the flow of the letter. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall connective structure needs more natural flexibility to achieve a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, demonstrating attempts at less common items such as 'curriculum activity', 'active listening', and 'empathy'. However, there are noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and collocations, such as 'apply in the job posting which have posted' instead of 'apply for the job posting', and 'much intersted in' instead of 'very interested'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but the vocabulary range remains somewhat limited and repetitive, occasionally requiring the reader to interpret the intended meaning behind awkward phrasings.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are several frequent errors in grammar and punctuation, such as relative pronoun omissions and tense errors (e.g., 'which have posted' instead of 'which you posted', 'semster' spelling, 'I have learnt how much customer service skills... are important' where the syntax is confused). Additionally, sentences like 'I willbe great fit for team' lack necessary articles. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent the score from reaching a higher band.

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

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