Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six-year-old child.

Write a letter to the parents. In your letter

• explain why you would like the job
• give details of why you would be a suitable person to employ
• say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing to express my interest in the position you recently advertised in Australia Life magazine to look after your six-year-old child for six months.

I would love to take on this role because I genuinely enjoy working with young children and guiding them through their daily routines. Spending six months in Australia has also been a dream of mine for a long time. This job would give me a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a family's daily life while experiencing the Australian lifestyle firsthand.

I believe I am a suitable candidate for this position because I have worked as a part-time nanny for over two years, looking after children of similar ages. I am responsible, patient, and energetic. In my previous role, I regularly helped with homework, prepared healthy meals, and organized creative indoor and outdoor games. Additionally, I hold a valid First Aid certificate and a full driving license with a clean driving record.

During my free time in Australia, I plan to explore your beautiful nature reserves and beaches. I am a keen photographer, so I hope to capture pictures of local wildlife and landscapes. I would also like to take a few surfing lessons and visit cultural sights in the area.

Thank you for considering my application. I would be delighted to discuss my experience further via an online interview.

Yours sincerely,

Vicky

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain your motivation for wanting the job, provide specific evidence of your suitability (nanny experience, First Aid, driving license), and detail your plans for free time in Australia. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, showing a good understanding of the task requirements. You have maintained a consistent and professional persona throughout the letter, which is essential for this type of correspondence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each requirement, and a polite closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, ensuring a smooth progression of ideas. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Additionally', 'In my previous role', and 'During my free time', which help guide the reader through your points. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the message. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal application. Phrases like 'genuinely enjoy', 'contribute to a family's daily life', and 'clean driving record' are used accurately. You also incorporate some less common items such as 'firsthand' and 'cultural sights'. The language is precise and fits the context well. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to convey your points clearly and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences, effectively. For example, 'I am writing to express my interest in the position you recently advertised...' and 'In my previous role, I regularly helped with homework, prepared healthy meals, and organized creative indoor and outdoor games.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and sentence construction is strong.

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