Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-14

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 9.0)

Dear Sarah,

I hope you are doing well and that you're enjoying your summer so far! It feels like it has been way too long since we last caught up.

I’m writing to you today because I’ve made a big decision and could really use a friend's advice and support. I have officially decided to look for a new job. As much as I’ve appreciated my current role, things have shifted quite a bit over the last year. There is very little room for professional growth anymore, and the daily routine has become repetitive. I am ready for a fresh challenge where I can learn new skills and feel genuinely excited about the work I do every day.

As for what's next, I am looking for a remote or hybrid role in project management within the tech or creative sector. Ideally, I want to find a company with a collaborative, fast-paced culture that values work-life balance. A position that lets me lead creative teams and streamline operations would be an absolute dream.

Since you have such a great network in that industry, I was hoping you might be able to help me out. If you happen to hear of any openings, or if you know anyone at your company or among your contacts who might be hiring, I would love an introduction. Even if it's just looking over my resume or sharing advice on companies to target, I would deeply appreciate it.

Let me know when you might have some free time for a phone call or a coffee catch-up. I'd love to hear how you are doing, too!

Warmly,

Alfina.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the reasons for leaving your current job, specifically citing a lack of professional growth and repetitive tasks. You also provide a detailed description of your desired role, including the sector and company culture. Finally, you make a clear and polite request for your friend's assistance. The tone is consistently appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a friendly and informal register throughout. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, starting with a friendly opening, moving to the explanation of your situation, the job description, the request for help, and finally a closing. Cohesive devices such as 'As for what's next', 'Since you have', and 'Even if' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct topics, making the letter very easy to follow. The flow is smooth and the relationship between ideas is always clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of a professional yet friendly letter. Phrases like 'professional growth', 'collaborative, fast-paced culture', 'streamline operations', and 'target' are used accurately and effectively. The language is precise and shows a high level of control over collocations. There are no noticeable errors in word choice, and the vocabulary used is sophisticated enough to convey your meaning clearly and fluently. The tone remains consistent throughout, which is a key requirement for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional 'If you happen to hear of any openings...' and the use of relative clauses. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and sentence construction is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency. The writing is error-free, and the structures used are varied and sophisticated, contributing to the overall fluency of the letter.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.