Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-22

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’re having a great week! I am writing to you because I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and look for a new job.

As you probably know, I’ve been feeling a bit stuck in my current role for a while now. While the team has been great, there are simply no opportunities for promotion or professional growth left, and I feel like my career has plateaued. I really want to challenge myself in a new environment where I can learn fresh skills and take on more responsibility.

Ideally, I am looking for a project management position within the tech or creative sector. I’d love a role that allows me to work with hybrid teams and gives me the flexibility to work remotely a couple of days a week. A company with a strong focus on innovation and employee development would be the absolute dream.

Since you’ve been in the industry for quite a while now, I was hoping you might be able to help me out. If you hear of any openings at your company or within your network, please let me know! I’d also love to grab a coffee sometime soon to catch up and get your advice on my resume.

Let me know when you are free!

Best,

Alex

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the motivation for leaving your current job (lack of promotion opportunities), describe the desired role (project management in tech/creative sectors), and make a polite request for 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 opening paragraph. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.

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, and the transition between the explanation of your current situation and the request for help is smooth. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As you probably know,' 'Ideally,' and 'Since you’ve been,' which help to link your thoughts naturally. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent, making the letter very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'take the plunge,' 'career has plateaued,' and 'hybrid teams' are used accurately and in the correct context. The language is sophisticated yet remains natural for an informal letter. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the topic of professional development and job searching.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The letter displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If you hear of any openings...') and subordinate clauses ('While the team has been great...'), with complete accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The writing is fluent and error-free, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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.