Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-09

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 7.0)

Dear Henry,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I am writing to you to inform you that I have finally decided to look for a new job. I am super excited to find a new job.

I've finally realised that I should not settle down for anything less. I am a law graduate with an LLM specialised in banking and finance law from one of the Russel group universities, Queen Mary University of London. Moreover, I worked so hard to get such a high qualification, therefore I should start looking for a law training contract instead of wasting my time working at a grocery store.

It is very hard to get into the legal profession, as it is extremely competitive. It requires a lot of determination and resilience. However, it is a highly rewarding field. Once I get the training contract, I will have to work as a trainee for two years after that I will be promoted as an associate.

Furthermore, last week I met john and he told me that you've been promoted as a paralegal. First of all, many congratulations for this great success. Additionally, as you are already working in the legal field, I need your assistance in the application process. Moreover, I would really appreciate if you could refer me for the training contract role at your law firm. Also if you have any contact in any other law firm who can provide reference for me, please do let me know.

Kind regards,

Asad

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter clearly addresses all three requirements: you explain that you want to move on from grocery-store work and use your law qualification, describe your goal of securing a training contract, and ask Henry for a referral and other contacts. The reasons are relevant and extended with details about the competitiveness of law and the training pathway, so the reader understands your motivation. The friendly opening and closing also suit the task. To develop the response further, make the description of your preferred role more specific—for example, the type of legal work or firm you hope to join—and clarify exactly what practical help you would value during the application process. Some details about promotion to associate are presented generally rather than linked to your own plans.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information is arranged in a sensible progression: you announce your decision, explain your qualifications and motivation, describe the legal career path, and then turn to Henry’s assistance. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and the relationship between your background and your job goal is generally clear. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical because several sentences begin with connectors such as “Moreover,” “Furthermore,” “Additionally,” and “Also.” Some transitions do not show a strong logical relationship, particularly “First of all” before the congratulations. Use fewer signposts and connect ideas more naturally through reference and sentence structure. A clearer transition from Henry’s promotion to your specific request would also make the final paragraph flow more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

You use a good range of vocabulary for the topic, including “law graduate,” “banking and finance law,” “training contract,” “competitive,” “determination,” and “resilience.” These choices communicate your professional background and ambitions clearly, and some less common terms are used appropriately. There are occasional issues with natural collocation and register: “settle down for anything less” is not the usual expression in this context, while “super excited” is rather informal for a letter discussing a professional move. “High qualification” is also less idiomatic than a phrase such as “advanced qualification.” Aim for precise, natural combinations and maintain a consistently friendly but professional tone. Check proper-name spelling and capitalisation, including “Russell Group” and “John.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The letter includes a useful variety of sentence forms, including complex clauses with “as,” “instead of,” and “once,” and many sentences are grammatically clear. Your meaning remains easy to follow throughout. A few errors persist in longer constructions. In “I worked so hard to get such a high qualification, therefore I should…,” the two independent clauses need stronger punctuation or a conjunction. In “after that I will be promoted,” a comma or a revised clause is needed to separate the time expression, and “after that” would be clearer as “after which.” The phrase “I would really appreciate if you could” needs “it” after “appreciate.” Review punctuation in long sentences and the grammatical patterns following verbs such as “appreciate.”

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