Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-05

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 Alex,

Hope you're doing well! It's been way too long since we last caught up. I'm actually writing because I need a bit of advice—and hopefully a favor.

I've recently been transferred to our Toronto office, and the daily commute from home is simply exhausting. On top of that, the cost of living there is much higher, and my current salary just isn't cutting it. I requested a pay adjustment to help offset the move, but management turned it down, so I've decided it's time to move on.

I'm looking for a Senior Android Developer position within the tech sector. Since family commitments are a top priority right now, I really need a hybrid setup with a company that respects work-life balance. With ten years of experience under my belt, I'm confident I can make an immediate impact in the right environment.

Could you keep an ear to the ground for any openings at your firm or in your network? Any leads or referrals would mean a lot.

Let's grab a coffee soon to catch up properly.

Best,

Sam

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 (commute and salary issues), describe the desired role (Senior Android Developer with a hybrid setup), and effectively request 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. 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, which makes the letter easy to follow. You use effective cohesive devices such as 'On top of that', 'Since', and 'Could you', which help to link your sentences and paragraphs smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate for a personal letter, and the transition from the opening pleasantries to the main body and the closing request is natural and well-managed.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context. Phrases like 'offset the move', 'under my belt', and 'keep an ear to the ground' are used accurately and show a high level of proficiency. The language is precise and conveys your meaning effectively without any noticeable errors. You successfully balance informal, friendly language with professional terminology related to your job search, which is exactly what is required for this type of task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The response displays a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility. You use a mix of complex and simple sentences effectively, such as 'Since family commitments are a top priority right now, I really need a hybrid setup...' and 'I'm confident I can make an immediate impact...'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors. The control over sentence structure is excellent, and the writing flows naturally, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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

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