Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-26

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 8.0)

Dear Mrs Barrett,

I am writing to express my interest in helping you in your home next summer. I would be happy to assist with a variety of household tasks, such as cleaning, washing dishes, doing the laundry and preparing simple meals. I could also help with shopping or other small errands if needed.

I would like to do this work because I enjoy helping people and would like to gain some useful experience. In addition, I am responsible, hardworking and able to follow instructions carefully. I believe I could be a reliable person to have around your home.

I will be available from the beginning of July until the end of August. During this period, I can work for a few hours each weekday morning. However, I will not be available at weekends because I have family commitments. I would be pleased to discuss the exact working hours with you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Keith

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly outlined the household tasks you could assist with, provided a logical reason for wanting the work, and specified your availability clearly. The tone is consistently 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 sentence. You have successfully met all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific requirement of the prompt. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. You have used appropriate cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'During this period' to link your sentences and paragraphs effectively. The paragraphing is clear and contributes to the overall readability of the text. The use of referencing is accurate, and the letter maintains a consistent, professional flow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly and naturally. Phrases like 'express my interest', 'household tasks', and 'family commitments' are well-chosen and appropriate for the context. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or slightly more varied descriptive language. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You have demonstrated a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('I believe I could be...') and prepositional phrases for time and duration. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent. The writing is clear, precise, and professional.

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

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