Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-08

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 5.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my interest in the job of care-taker which you recently advertised in an Australian magazine.

I completed a care-taker course two years ago and I also have three years of experience in the same field. Moreover, I have always been passionate about helping and taking care of others. When I noticed that I need to take care of a family and a six-year old child, I thought it would be a great opportunity to help them. I will ensure that I will give my best to understand their needs and assist them accordingly.

I will take this role as an opportunity not as a job. Even in free time, I will ensure to take care of their overall well-being. I will encourage them to do the recreational activities they like to do. So, if I get this opportunity, I will be very grateful.

Regards,

Chris

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the purpose of the letter and give relevant reasons for applying, including your care course, three years of experience, and interest in helping others. However, the task is addressed only minimally because two required points are not properly answered. You do not explain specifically why you are suitable to care for a six-year-old, such as describing childcare skills or relevant responsibilities. More importantly, the free-time point is misunderstood: saying you would spend your free time caring for the family does not explain what you would do for yourself in Australia. Develop each point directly and include concrete details, such as exploring local places or pursuing a hobby outside working hours.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter has a recognisable sequence: you introduce your application, describe your experience, and then discuss the role and free time. Basic linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “When,” and “So” help connect some ideas. However, the progression is not consistently clear because the paragraph about free time shifts back to caring for the family, rather than moving to personal activities in Australia. The repeated focus on taking care of others also makes the ideas feel circular. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for your motivation and suitability, then your plans outside work, and make sure each sentence advances the relevant point. A clear closing sentence would also make the letter feel more complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for an application letter, including “express my interest,” “experience,” “passionate,” “opportunity,” and “recreational activities.” These choices make your general meaning clear. There are, however, some imprecise or unnatural expressions that reduce precision: “care-taker” is not the usual term for someone looking after a child, and “take care of a family” does not accurately describe the advertised responsibility. “Take this role as an opportunity not as a job” is also unclear and awkwardly phrased. Choose vocabulary specific to childcare and describe your motivation directly. More precise wording would help distinguish your professional suitability from your plans for leisure time.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the subordinate clause “When I noticed that…” and the conditional “if I get this opportunity.” Most sentences are understandable, and grammatical errors rarely prevent the reader from following your meaning. Some constructions are less well controlled, however. In “I will ensure that I will give my best,” the repeated future form is unnecessary; “I will ensure that I give my best” is more natural. “Even in free time” needs a determiner (“in my free time”), while “I will ensure to take care” is not a well-formed verb pattern; use “I will make sure I take care…” or, better, describe actual leisure plans. Continue varying sentence structures while checking these patterns.

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

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