Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-12

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 Sam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to you regarding the job opportunity you mentioned when we travelled together on the same flight.

The flight was from Toronto to Alberta at 6:30 a.m. from YYZ Airport. I received a last-minute upgrade from economy to business class and was fortunate enough to be seated beside you. I remember you mentioning the different restaurant chains you own in Toronto, which I found quite fascinating.

I am currently looking for a job opportunity in Toronto, as I will be moving there after my graduation. Although my academic background is in Hotel Management, I believe it would be an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience as a line chef or work under the guidance of a professional chef. This experience would be a valuable asset to my overall qualifications and future career.

I understand that it may be difficult to offer a position this early. However, gaining experience in a restaurant or professional kitchen would be extremely beneficial for my future goals. Ultimately, I aspire to become a head chef after gaining sufficient experience in the industry.

I would greatly appreciate your consideration of my request and look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The candidate has fully and effectively addressed all parts of the task. The letter opens with a clear reminder of where and when the meeting took place, specifying the flight from Toronto to Alberta and the seat upgrade. The second bullet point is handled well by expressing a specific interest in working as a line chef. Finally, the candidate successfully explains why they would be suitable, highlighting their academic background in Hotel Management and the desire to gain practical experience. The tone is appropriately polite and formal for a business letter, and all requirements are thoroughly developed, meeting the Band 8 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear overarching progression. Each paragraph serves a distinct purpose, moving smoothly from the greeting and context setting to the job interest, qualifications, and closing. Cohesive devices are used naturally, such as 'Although my academic background is...' and 'However, gaining experience...'. Paragraphing is handled effectively, and referencing throughout the letter is clear and easy to follow, supporting a solid Band 8 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The candidate demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suitable for a professional context. Phrases such as 'last-minute upgrade', 'valuable asset', and 'professional kitchen' show natural control over common and less common lexical items. Word choice and collocation are accurate throughout, with only minor reliance on standard functional phrases. The vocabulary is precise enough to convey the intended meaning smoothly, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

A wide variety of complex sentence structures is used effectively throughout the letter. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating excellent control of grammar and punctuation. Examples like 'Although my academic background is in Hotel Management, I believe it would be an excellent opportunity...' show the successful integration of subordinate clauses. Minor slips are virtually absent, and the structural command easily justifies a Band 8 score.

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

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