Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-30

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 4.0)

Dear Karn

Hope you'r in the pink of health. It has been a long time since we last talk.In this letter, I want to let you know that I 'm looking for a new job as I left my previous job just because I was not satisfied with my job duties. So, now I am looking

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 2.5

The opening establishes a friendly letter and gives one relevant reason for seeking a new job: you were “not satisfied with my job duties.” However, the response stops before explaining what kind of work you want or asking Karn to help you find a position, so two key bullet points are not addressed. The reason given is also only briefly stated, with no detail about what you hope will change. The response is substantially below the required 150 words, which leaves the task very incomplete. To improve, develop all three points: explain what was unsatisfactory, describe your preferred role and working conditions, and make a clear, specific request for your friend’s help.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The ideas that are present follow a basic sequence: a greeting, a friendly opening, and then an explanation for writing. Phrases such as “In this letter” and “So, now” attempt to connect the message to its purpose. However, the letter ends abruptly in the middle of “So, now I am looking,” and there is no closing or progression to the requested job description and appeal for help. The text is also presented as one continuous block. Use separate paragraphs for the reason, the type of job you want, and your request, then finish with a suitable sign-off. This would make the letter easier to follow and give it a complete structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some appropriate informal language for writing to a friend, including “in the pink of health,” and the phrase “not satisfied with my job duties” communicates your reason clearly. However, the vocabulary range is very limited because the response is so short, and the job-related language does not yet describe a preferred role or workplace. There are also spelling and word-form slips, such as “you'r” and “talk,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise expressions to explain your career goals and what support you need. For example, specify a field, responsibilities, or working conditions rather than referring only to “a new job.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response includes a simple sentence and an attempt at a longer sentence with a reason clause: “I want to let you know that I’m looking for a new job as I left my previous job…” This shows some ability to connect ideas, and the main message remains understandable. However, there are errors in verb forms and punctuation: “since we last talk” should use the past participle “talked,” and the sentence boundary after “talk” needs a space and appropriate punctuation. The final sentence is incomplete, ending with “I am looking.” Use a wider range of complete sentence patterns, check tense consistency, and punctuate sentence boundaries carefully.

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.