Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-16

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 5.5)

Dear Mrs Barrett,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this letter to you regarding your advertisement for helping you in your home for a few hours a day next summer.

First of all, it has a great opportunity to help you, as you are always there for me when I was needed a help. Moreover, I can do some household chores effortlessly because I loves to do house work. I can clean your rooms quickly with my special machine. In addition, I can take care of your garden and will also take care of your pets.

Additionally, I want to do this work because earlier I was planning to go to meet my cousin, however; I am not going to meet my cousin at her home, as my cousin, shopia will not there in her home next summer.

I will available in evening after 4:00 pm. Furthermore, I will not able to get time in the morning, as I will have a classes.

I am hoping to get a positive response from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Tasbiyah

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address all three bullet points: you offer to clean rooms, care for the garden and pets, explain that you want the work because your cousin will be away, and state that you are available after 4 p.m. but not in the morning. However, the reason for wanting the job is not fully clear: the connection between your cousin’s absence and your interest in helping Mrs Barrett needs explaining. The opening claim that she has been there for you is also vague and does not clearly support your application. Develop these points with a direct, relevant explanation—for example, that you want to earn money or gain experience—and specify which days you can work. The response covers the task, but some ideas remain limited or unclear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, with an opening, separate paragraphs for your proposed help and motivation, and a closing. Sequencing phrases such as “First of all,” “Moreover,” and “In addition” help signal the list of tasks. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical, and the paragraph about your cousin is difficult to follow because the relationship between her plans and your availability is not made explicit. “Additionally” also introduces a new reason without clarifying how it connects to the previous point. Use fewer, more purposeful linking expressions and make each paragraph focus on one clear idea. A clearer sequence—offer of help, reason for applying, then precise availability—would make the letter easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main points, including “household chores,” “take care of your garden,” and “positive response.” There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “effortlessly” and “special machine,” although the latter is unclear and does not explain what equipment you mean. Several phrases are unnatural or imprecise, including “helping you in your home,” “get time,” and “go to meet my cousin.” “House work” is also better written as one word, “housework,” and the cousin’s name is misspelled. Aim for natural collocations and precise descriptions of the help you can offer; this will make your meaning clearer and give the letter a more appropriate, confident tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a sentence with “because” and one with “as,” but errors are frequent and sometimes make the meaning harder to follow. Examples include “I loves” instead of “I love,” “I will available” instead of “I will be available,” and “I will not able” instead of “I will not be able.” The past-tense phrase “when I was needed a help” is also incorrectly formed; use “when I needed help.” There are article and number errors in “a classes,” and the punctuation around “however” is faulty. Practise checking subject–verb agreement, auxiliary verbs, tense consistency, and articles, then proofread each sentence for a complete verb phrase.

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

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