General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · application

Application for home assistance position with Mrs Barrett: IELTS formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 196 words
  • Formal letters
  • Application
  • 20 minutes
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The task

Mrs Barrett, an English-speaking woman who lives in your town, has advertised for someone to help her in her home for a few hours a day next summer.

Write a letter to Mrs Barrett. In your letter:

  • →suggest how you could help her in her home
  • →say why you would like to do this work
  • →explain when you will and will not be available

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear Mrs Barrett ,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8196 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mrs Barrett,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the domestic assistance position you advertised recently for the upcoming summer period. Having lived in the local area for several years, I would welcome the opportunity to support you with your daily household requirements.

Regarding the assistance I could provide, I am highly capable with general housekeeping duties, including light cleaning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. Additionally, I am proficient in gardening and can manage basic administrative tasks, such as organising correspondence or assisting with technology, should you require it.

I am particularly drawn to this role as I enjoy helping others within our community and value the chance to contribute to someone’s comfort. My approach is diligent and reliable, and I take great pride in maintaining a well-ordered home environment.

As for my availability, I will be free to assist you from 1st June until 20th August. During this period, I am available every weekday morning from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm. Please note, however, that I am unavailable for the final week of July, as I have a prior family commitment.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Julian Thorne

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Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response achieves high marks by addressing all bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently polite, formal register throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide specific dates or times, resulting in a vague response that does not fully satisfy the prompt's requirements.

  • →Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
  • →If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
  • →No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • domestic assistance

    help provided within a person's private home

  • keen interest

    a strong desire to be involved in something

  • proficient

    competent or skilled in doing a specific task

  • diligent

    showing care and conscientiousness in one's work

  • well-ordered

    neatly arranged and managed in a tidy way

  • prior family commitment

    an arrangement made with family before this offer

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

A Band 8 response achieves high marks by addressing all bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently polite, formal register throughout. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide specific dates or times, resulting in a vague response that does not fully satisfy the prompt's requirements.

Keep practising

More application letters

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