Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

Mrs Barrett, an English-speaking woman who lives in your town, has advertised for someone to help her in her home for a few hours a day next summer.

Write a letter to Mrs Barrett. In your letter

• suggest how you could help her in her home
• say why you would like to do this work
• explain when you will and will not be available

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Mrs Barrett,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Mrs Barrett,

I am writing in response to your advertisement for someone to help you in your home for a few hours a day next summer. I would be delighted to apply for the position.

I have experience with household chores and would be happy to assist you with cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and gardening if required. I can also help with simple computer tasks or accompany you on short errands if needed.

I would like to do this work because I enjoy helping people and would like to improve my English by communicating with a native English speaker. In addition, I am looking for a part-time job during my summer break to gain experience and earn some extra money for my studies.

I will be available from Monday to Friday between **9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.** throughout the summer holidays. However, I will not be available on weekends because I spend that time with my family and have other commitments.

Thank you for considering my application. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Satwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly outlined the types of assistance you can provide, explained your motivations for applying, and provided specific availability details. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a potential employer. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, and the letter follows the required structure perfectly. There are no omissions, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the opening paragraph. You have successfully met all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific requirement of the prompt. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving from the purpose of the letter to your skills, your motivation, and finally your availability. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition' and 'However,' to link your ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow is natural, and the reader can easily follow your train of thought throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly and naturally. Phrases like 'delighted to apply,' 'household chores,' and 'accompany you on short errands' demonstrate a good command of language suitable for this context. The word choice is precise and appropriate for a formal letter. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly more than adequate for the task. There are no spelling or word-choice errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You have used modal verbs correctly ('would be happy,' 'can also help') and maintained consistent tense usage throughout the letter. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The sentences are well-constructed and easy to read. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the overall accuracy is very high, which makes the letter professional and easy to understand.

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