Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-08

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 5.5)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this letter to apply for the position advertised on the classifieds page of xyz magazine on 07-Sep-2026.

I am qualified and certified baby sitter and also I possess 5 years of experience in my home country as an assistant nanny in a reputed nursery. My day to day duties includes taking of children, changing diapers and helping them to complete their school activities.

I noticed that you are looking for a live-in nanny to stay with your family and to take care of your six year old child. I can furnish my references and experience letter for your kind perusal.

As I am new to Australia, I will be very grateful to get this live-in opportunity and with my overall experience you will not be disappointed by recruiting me for this role.

I look forward hearing from you at the earliest. I will share my email and mobile number for your easy reference.

Yours Faithfully,

Usha

Email: [redacted email]

Mob: [redacted phone]

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

You have addressed the first two bullet points well by explaining your motivation and suitability. However, the third bullet point, which asks how you would spend your free time in Australia, is completely missing from your response. This is a significant omission that prevents you from achieving a higher band score. To improve, ensure you carefully read all instructions and dedicate a paragraph to each requirement. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal letter, but the lack of information regarding your leisure activities means the task is only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter follows a logical structure with a clear opening and closing. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, experience, and closing remarks. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and mechanical. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. While the progression of ideas is generally clear, the absence of the third bullet point disrupts the overall flow and completeness of the letter. Using a wider variety of linking words would help improve the logical flow between your sentences and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to communicate your points clearly, such as 'perusal', 'classifieds', and 'certified'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'taking of children' (should be 'taking care of') and 'recruiting me' (which sounds slightly formal/corporate for a nanny position; 'hiring' would be more natural). The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands. Focusing on more natural collocations related to childcare and employment would enhance your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'I am qualified and certified baby sitter' (missing an article: 'a'), 'day to day duties includes' (subject-verb agreement error: 'include'), and 'I look forward hearing' (should be 'I look forward to hearing'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to articles, subject-verb agreement, and the correct prepositional phrases following common verbs.

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

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