Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-08

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.

Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter

• remind him when and where you met
• tell him what kind of job you are interested in
• say why you think you would be suitable for the job

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ................. ,

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Dear Sir,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to follow up on our conversation during my recent flight from Toronto to Vancouver. We sat next to each other, and we discussed your restaurant business. You kindly suggested that I contact you regarding possible employment opportunities.

I am interested in working as a restaurant assistant or customer service staff member at one of your restaurants. I would prefer a full-time position, although I am also willing to consider part-time work.

I believe I would be suitable for this position because I have experience working with customers and communicating with people from different backgrounds. I am hardworking, reliable, and comfortable working as part of a team. I am also willing to learn new skills and take responsibility for my duties.

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether there are any suitable positions available. I would be happy to provide my résumé or attend an interview at your convenience.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Chetan

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly identified the context of the meeting (flight from Toronto to Vancouver), specified the desired roles (restaurant assistant or customer service), and provided relevant reasons for your suitability, such as your experience with diverse customers and your professional attitude. The tone is consistently appropriate for a formal business letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. All parts of the task are well-developed, ensuring the reader understands exactly why you are writing and what you are offering.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the introduction to the specific request and finally to the closing. Cohesive devices such as 'although', 'because', and 'in addition' are used effectively to link sentences. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is natural, making the letter easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive transitions, and the structure supports the overall message well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal business context. Phrases such as 'follow up on our conversation', 'employment opportunities', and 'at your convenience' are well-chosen and natural. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it stays within a relatively standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or sophisticated collocations related to the hospitality industry, such as 'fast-paced environment' or 'professional aptitude'. However, the current usage is error-free and perfectly suited to the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the conditional 'I would be grateful if you could...' and the concessive clause 'although I am also willing to consider...'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable errors in tense or subject-verb agreement. The sentences are clear and well-constructed, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for professional correspondence.

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

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