Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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 with household tasks during the summer. I would be interested in taking up this opportunity and would be happy to assist you with various responsibilities around your home.

I could help with tasks such as cleaning, doing the laundry, watering plants and purchasing groceries. I would also be willing to prepare simple meals and help you with other household chores whenever required. I am a responsible and organised person, so you can rely on me to complete these tasks carefully and on time.

I would like to do this work because I am looking for a part-time job during my summer break. In addition to earning some money, I believe this would be a good opportunity to gain practical experience and improve my communication skills by interacting with an English-speaking person.

Regarding my availability, I will be available from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. throughout June and July. However, I will not be available on weekends or after 1 p.m., as I have other commitments during these times.

I would be grateful if you could consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

John

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly outlined the types of assistance you could provide, such as cleaning and meal preparation. Your motivation for the work is well-explained, focusing on both financial gain and personal development. Furthermore, your availability is specified with precision, including both your working hours and your limitations. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal letter to a potential employer, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. All requirements of the task have been met in a professional and well-structured manner.

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 naturally from the introduction to the specific tasks, the motivation, and finally the availability. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition to', 'Regarding my availability', and 'However', which help to guide the reader through the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct topics, and the overall structure is clear and easy to follow throughout the entire response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal letter. Phrases such as 'taking up this opportunity', 'household chores', and 'other commitments' are used accurately and naturally. The language is precise and fits the context of a job application well. While the vocabulary is not overly complex, it is highly effective and demonstrates a strong command of English for this specific task. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the tone remains consistently professional and polite.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The grammar is highly accurate throughout the letter. You have used a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences such as 'In addition to earning some money, I believe this would be a good opportunity to gain practical experience...' and 'However, I will not be available on weekends or after 1 p.m., as I have other commitments during these times.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The control over tense and modal verbs is excellent, contributing to a very polished and professional piece of writing.

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

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