IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: Application Letter — Model Answer
In the context of the General Training (GT) Writing Task 1, the "Application Letter" is a high-stakes scenario. Examiners evaluate this task based on Register Consistency. A Band 9 response does not merely relay information; it adopts a professional persona that adheres to the invisible rules of corporate and academic correspondence. When I am marking at pace, I look for the immediate establishment of a "Formal Tone"—if a candidate starts with "Hi" for a job application, they have forfeited a Band 7+ for Task Achievement (TA) before I’ve even read their arguments.
The question
You have seen an advertisement for a part-time position as a Youth Program Coordinator at a local community center. You would like to apply for the role.
Write a letter to the center manager. In your letter:
* Explain why you are interested in the position.
* Describe your relevant experience.
* State when you are available for an interview.
Model answer (opening excerpt)
Dear Mr. Henderson,
The full Band 9 response, with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes, is part of Ted.Talks.DZ coaching.
Band-by-Band Breakdown: The Application Letter
| Element | Band 6.0 | Band 7.5 | Band 9.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | "I want to apply for the job I saw." | "I am writing to apply for the position of Youth Coordinator." | "I am writing to formally submit my application for the Youth Program Coordinator position..." |
| Lexical Resource | Uses "good," "help," "jobs," and "kids." | Uses "suitable," "support," "employment," and "youth." | Uses "vocational workshops," "underprivileged adolescents," and "developmental psychology." |
| Cohesion | Uses "And" or "But" at the start of sentences. | Uses "Also" and "However" to link ideas. | Uses sophisticated internal cohesive devices (e.g., "This experience has equipped me...") |
| Task Achievement | Addresses all bullets but with very limited detail. | Addresses all bullets with some expansion. | Addresses all bullets with "fully developed" ideas and a consistent professional persona. |
More: all model answers · Task 2 structure guide
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