Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-07-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have decided to look for a new job.

Write a letter to a friend. In your letter
• explain why you are looking for a new job.
• describe the kind of job you would like to have.
• ask your friend to help you find a job

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Dear Famia,

I hope you are doing splendidly! It has been a long time since we caught up with each other. I am writing this letter to inform you about my work experience and request to you for my new job.

Currently, I am working as an Operator in a supermarket but I want to switch my profession. As you know, I have done PhD in Computer Science. I believe this is the time to set a career as Software Developer that matches my skills. I am also looking for better career growth and a more challenging work environment.

Ideally, I would like to work as a software engineer, data analyst, or IT consultant in a reputable company. I am particularly interested in a position that offers opportunities for professional development, a supportive team, and a competitive salary.

Since you have been working in the IT industry for several years, I was wondering if you could let me know about any suitable job openings. If possible, I would be grateful if you could recommend me to your employer or share my résumé with your contacts.

Thank you in advance for your support. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes,

Rabia

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained your motivation for changing jobs, specified the roles you are interested in, and made a direct request for your friend's assistance. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a friendly yet professional register. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning. You have provided sufficient detail to make the request convincing, such as mentioning your PhD and your specific interest in the IT industry, which helps the reader understand your situation well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which makes the letter easy to follow. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Currently', 'Ideally', and 'Since you have been working'. The transition between paragraphs is smooth, and the use of paragraphing is appropriate for a formal-informal letter. The referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure supports the message well without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'doing splendidly', 'professional development', and 'competitive salary' show a good command of language. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more idiomatic expressions or slightly more sophisticated collocations could elevate the response further. However, the current range is more than sufficient to convey your meaning clearly and precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For example, the use of conditional structures ('If possible, I would be grateful...') and relative clauses ('a position that offers...') is handled well. There are very few errors, and those that exist do not impede communication. The sentence structure is varied, and punctuation is used correctly throughout the letter. You have maintained a consistent tense usage, which contributes to the overall clarity of the writing.

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