IELTS General Writing Task 1: Job Application Letter (Band 9 Sample)
This General Training Task 1 asks you to write a formal letter applying for a part-time job. A band-9 letter covers all three bullet points, keeps a consistently formal, polite tone, and reads like a genuine application. Below is a model letter of roughly 190 words, followed by a breakdown of why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
You have seen an advertisement for a part-time job at a local café. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter: explain why you are writing and which job you want, describe your relevant experience, and say when you would be available to work.
02 · Band 9 sample answer
192 words · Band 9Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for the part-time position of café assistant, which I saw advertised in the window of your café last week. I would be very grateful if you would consider my application.
Although I am currently a full-time student, I have relevant experience that I believe makes me well suited to the role. Last summer I worked for three months at a busy restaurant, where I took orders, served customers and handled payments. That job taught me to stay calm under pressure and to deal with the public in a friendly, professional manner, which I understand is essential in a café.
As for my availability, I am free to work on weekday evenings and at any time over the weekend, which I hope fits well with the hours you need to cover. I would also be happy to start at short notice.
I have enclosed my CV, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application at an interview. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully, Minh Tran
03 · Why this scores Band 9
All three bullet points are fully covered — the reason for writing and the specific job wanted, relevant experience (the summer restaurant job, described concretely), and clear availability (evenings and weekends). The letter comfortably exceeds 150 words and develops each point rather than merely stating it.
The letter follows a logical formal-application structure — purpose, experience, availability, closing — with one idea per paragraph. Cohesion is smooth and appropriate — "Although I am currently...", "As for my availability...", "I have enclosed my CV" — and the opening and closing match correctly.
The vocabulary is precise and formal — "apply for the position", "well suited to the role", "stay calm under pressure", "at short notice", "welcome the opportunity" — exactly the professional register a job application requires, with no slipping into casual phrasing.
A range of structures is used accurately: a relative clause ("which I saw advertised"), a concessive with "Although", and a polite conditional ("I would be very grateful if you would consider..."). The register stays formal throughout, with no contractions, and the letter is error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
What register should a job-application letter use?
Formal, since you are writing to someone you do not know. Use "Dear Sir or Madam," if you have no name, avoid contractions, and close with "Yours faithfully,". A casual tone would badly lower the score here.
How do I open and close a formal letter correctly?
If you do not know the reader's name, open "Dear Sir or Madam," and close "Yours faithfully,". If you do know it, open "Dear Mr/Ms [Surname]," and close "Yours sincerely,". Getting this pairing right matters for cohesion.
How do I describe experience convincingly?
Give one concrete example and say what it taught you, rather than listing adjectives. This letter names a real job and specific duties ("took orders, served customers and handled payments"), which is far stronger than simply claiming to be "hard-working".
How long should the letter be?
At least 150 words; a band-9 letter is usually 170–200. This model is 192 words, enough to cover all three bullets in a professional tone without padding.
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