Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-08

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 5.0)

To the Museum Director,

Hope you are doing well! I am writing this letter to discuss the statement that a museum near my home is looking for people to do part-time volunteer work. I would like to do some volunteer work at the museum.

Firstly, we consider the importance of voluntary work. I am good at accounting work, so I would like to manage the daily records of visitors and sales of museum tickets. Also, I have experience in drawing, so I will make some pictures for information.

Also, we focus on the time I am available at full-time because I have holidays. In addition to that, I live near a museum, so it is convenient and there is no cost for transportation. Also, it save my time and I learn different skill if you will hire me. I am very happy to join your team.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regard,

Mark William.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You make your intention to volunteer clear and mention relevant abilities, including accounting and drawing, as well as your proximity to the museum. However, the task is only partially addressed: the reason for wanting to help is not clearly explained, and the proposed duties are not developed beyond keeping records and making pictures. Availability is also vague: “at full-time because I have holidays” does not specify days, hours, or a start date. The letter contains 149 words, so it falls one word short of the required minimum; the nine words copied from the task prompt are excluded from that count. Add specific motivation and a clear weekly schedule, and develop how your skills would benefit the museum.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic letter structure, with an opening, body paragraphs, and a closing, and the reader can identify the main topics. However, progression is not consistently clear. Phrases such as “Firstly, we consider the importance” and “Also, we focus on the time” sound like topic announcements rather than natural links between your own points. Repeated use of “Also” and “In addition to that” makes the connections mechanical, while the paragraph about availability shifts between holidays, location, transport, and what you might learn. Organise the body around the three requested points, and use clearer links that show how each idea relates to your application.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the basic application, with relevant terms such as “accounting,” “daily records,” “visitors,” and “museum tickets.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are unnatural or imprecise, which makes the letter sound less like a formal application. For example, “discuss the statement” does not naturally introduce your application, and “make some pictures for information” is unclear. “At full-time” is also an unsuitable expression for describing availability. Choose more precise phrases for your motivation, duties, and schedule, and avoid repeating general words such as “work” and “also.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use mostly short, simple sentences, with a few attempts to connect ideas using “so,” “because,” and “if.” This gives the letter some variety, but control is inconsistent. In “it save my time,” the verb does not agree with the subject; “if you will hire me” uses an unsuitable verb form after “if”; and “I learn different skill” has problems with tense and number. The opening “Hope you are doing well!” also omits the subject, which is less appropriate in a formal letter. Practise accurate present and future forms, subject–verb agreement, and plural nouns, then use a wider range of sentence patterns while checking each sentence.

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

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