Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-02

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 Bilal,

I hope you're doing well! I wanted to update you on something — I've decided it's time to start looking for a new job.

Honestly, things at my current workplace haven't been great lately. The pay hasn't increased in over a year despite the rising cost of living, and there's very little room for growth — I keep doing the same tasks with no chance to learn anything new or take on more responsibility. On top of that, the commute has become exhausting, and I just feel like I've outgrown the role.

What I'd really like now is something in the telecom or engineering field, ideally a position where I can use my technical background more — maybe project coordination or field engineering with a company that's open to remote or hybrid work. I'd also love a role with better long-term prospects, perhaps even one that could lead to opportunities abroad down the line, since that's something I've been exploring too.

Since you know so many people in the industry, I was hoping you might be able to help. If you hear of any openings, or if you could put in a good word for me somewhere, I'd really appreciate it. I can send you my CV whenever you need it.

Let me know how you're doing too — it's been a while since we properly caught up!

Take care,

Hanzala

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explain the reasons for leaving your current job, such as stagnant pay and lack of growth. You also provide a specific description of the desired role in the telecom or engineering sector, including preferences for remote or hybrid work. Finally, you make a clear request for your friend's assistance. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant throughout the response. The letter is cohesive and maintains a consistent, friendly, and professional tone throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the prompt. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving naturally from the reason for leaving to the desired job type, and finally to the request for help. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On top of that,' 'Since you know,' and 'What I'd really like now,' which help to connect your thoughts seamlessly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the letter, making it very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of a job search. Phrases such as 'long-term prospects,' 'technical background,' and 'put in a good word' are used accurately and naturally. The language is precise and conveys your meaning clearly without any awkward phrasing. There are no spelling or word-choice errors, and the vocabulary choice is sophisticated enough to meet the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The writing displays a high level of grammatical accuracy with a variety of complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If you hear of any openings...'), relative clauses, and varied punctuation effectively. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way. Your control over tense and aspect is excellent, particularly when discussing past experiences and future aspirations.

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

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