Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-20

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 8.0)

Dear Armani,

I am writing to inform you that I have decided to look for a new job, as well as request your assistance in this endeavor.

I have come to the decision to seek out different employment as a result of rumoured layoffs that have been coming through the grapevine at my current place of work. I would like to be prepared in the event that my company does decide to let some workers go.

I am hoping to switch career paths with this change. I would like to return to pursuing my love for teaching at university level. My desire is to start as a visiting professor at one or two colleges and then get a tenure-track position in about 2 years' time.

I would appreciate your help with keeping an eye out for positions that match what I am looking for. Considering that you live in a college town with about 5 universities, and also have affiliation with other schools around the country, I believe it would be easy for you to find out when anyone is hiring.

Thank you, dear friend, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Jenefas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained the motivation for seeking a new job (rumoured layoffs), described your desired career path (university teaching), and made a specific request for your friend's assistance. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, maintaining a balance between personal and professional communication. The ideas are well-developed and logically presented, ensuring the reader understands your situation and your expectations. The response is cohesive and meets all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used appropriate cohesive devices such as 'as a result of', 'in the event that', and 'considering that' to link your ideas smoothly. The transition between paragraphs is natural, and the use of paragraphing is sufficient and appropriate for a letter format. The overall structure is coherent, and the message is conveyed without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the context. Phrases like 'endeavor', 'rumoured layoffs', 'coming through the grapevine', and 'tenure-track position' show a flexible and precise use of language. The vocabulary is natural and fits the tone of a letter to a friend well. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication. You have successfully used both common and slightly more sophisticated lexical items to convey your message clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('in the event that my company does decide...') and relative clauses ('that match what I am looking for'). The grammar is generally accurate throughout the letter, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of your ideas. There are no major grammatical slips that cause difficulty for the reader, and your control over complex structures is consistent.

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

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